Oman getaways just got a little bit funkier as the W Muscat has opened in the country’s capital. Set on Shatti Al Qurum beachfront with the Hajaar mountains as a backdrop the boutique hotel brings W's iconic bold design to Oman for the first time. Inspired by the nomadic history of Muscat, the hotel merges Bedouin-inspired design with the playful design the hotel brand is known for. Guests are greeted by a eight-tonne, 10-metre tall frankincense tree sculpture made out of solid stainless steel and a tribute to Oman's links with the boswellia sacra plant. The lobby, or the Living Room in W speak, combines a traditional Arabian majlis with bold design inspired by the Arabian Sea and the desert sands. All of the hotel's 279 rooms come with ocean views and the corridors are decorated with locally commissioned holographic artwork depicting a female perspective of power, love, peace and beauty. When it comes to eating, there's Harvest which offers locally sourced, healthy dishes and Omani brewed coffee. Char is a modern take on a traditional grill house and Ba Ban offers authentic Chinese food. The hotel is also home to Siddharta Lounge by Buddha-Bar, the first time the iconic entertainment brand has launched in Oman. When it comes to de-stressing, the Away spa has a hamman, steam room and treatment room dedicated to couples. There's also a Beauty Bar for guests seeking a quick beauty fix. For those looking to work up a sweat, Fit offers high-tech fitness equipment and inspiring ocean views. Outside, dip in an almost 2,000 square-metre swimming pool that's ideal for soaking up the sun. Poolside socialising spot Wet Deck boasts a bar and will host live DJs. It's also where the hotel will have its first wellness festival. Set to combine water-based yoga, paddleboarding and fitness training sessions with healthy breakfasts and live music, the Fuel weekend will run from October 17 to October 20, 2019. “Muscat is a fascinating and exciting city. Its cultural DNA honours millennia of tradition while looking to what’s new and next – an ideal match for the W brand,” said Anthony Ingham, global brand leader at W Hotels Worldwide. Opening rates at W Muscat start at 70 Omani Rial (Dh668) in a Wonderful room.
