The Al Bustan Palace is a Ritz-Carlton hotel, set in exquisite gardens between the dramatic Al Hajar Mountains and a shimmering sea.

This hidden jewel of Muscat’s luxury hotels is managed by Katrin Herz, Maître Hôtelier, who was promoted to General Manager of the Al Bustan Palace in March 2015 following a long career with Ritz-Carlton. The hotel regularly hosts dinners of the Bailliage of Sultanate of Oman; especially memorable is one held in 2016 themed as a tribute to Georges Auguste Escoffier.

Blending ancient tradition with contemporary comfort is very much a theme for this beachfront retreat. It is the tradition in an Oman home to offer coffee to guests; at the Al Bustan Palace, guests are welcomed by the ‘coffee man’, the cultural host, who invites them to immerse themselves in new experiences and the local way of life.

Arab and Art Deco influences sit side-by-side, creating a unique ambience; the white-sand beach offers a wealth of waterfront activities or the option to simply relax doing nothing at all.

Dining options at the Al Bustan Palace also offer this balance between extremes, with regional and international flavours, sophistication and simplicity as well as a choice of venues offering very distinct styles of dining.

The Al Khiran Terrace overlooks the Sea of Oman. A breakfast buffet is followed by a lunch buffet with live cooking stations and gives way to daily themed buffet nights, although an à la carte menu is also available.

The Beach Pavilion is a beach grill restaurant situated rights on the water’s edge serving fresh fish and seafood; refreshing and refined.

By complete contrast, China Mood is one of the top Asian restaurants in Oman. Hong Kong native, Chef Lau and his carefully selected team guarantee authenticity in the preparation of food and combination of flavours and the tea sommelier demonstrates acrobatic pouring skills.

At the Al Bustan Palace the guest’s journey is as much about the experience as it is about the destination.

Amanda Roberts
Publishing Editor, Revue internationale de la Chaîne