A stalwart in Oman’s luxury travel scene, The Chedi Muscat has been welcoming guests for nearly two decades — and it will celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2023.
Renovated in 2019, when new suites and rooms with terraces were added, the hotel promises a stunning seaside stay and has a superb reputation in the sultanate. The National paid a visit to see if the GHM hotel is still worth the hype.
The welcome
In the heart of Muscat, just off 18th November Street, the drive into The Chedi Muscat sets the tone for a distinct change of pace. Leafy palm trees line the driveway and the white-walled resort sits on top of the road like a peaceful sanctuary waiting to whisk us away from the city.
Valet staff quickly take the car, our luggage is carried away and we’re ushered inside the low-rise building where the most divine smelling frankincense wafts towards us from a traditional incense burner. The lobby appears as if it is a tented majlis, with huge white drapes, low Arabian-style seating and Omani dates and coffee on demand.
Within a few minutes, we’re escorted to our room, where our cases have already been delivered, and receive a detailed overview of the hotel’s facilities, restaurants and activities to help us get our bearings in this 21-acre resort.
The neighbourhood
This sprawling property has expansive gardens and a private beachfront, as well as a luxury spa and several dining outlets. If you do want to venture further afield the city is right on your doorstep. The Mall of Oman, the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque and the Royal Opera House are all around a 10-minute drive away.
The safety measures
Oman has recently dropped all Covid-19 safety measures. On our visit, masks were still mandatory in indoor public places, but guests were not required to wear them in restaurants or when outdoors.
The room
We’re in a Chedi Club Suite that is both understated and impressive. Reached via a set of stone stairs, we enter into a majlis-style living room, complete with traditional Omani wooden features including window shades that help keep out the mid-day heat.
There's a door leading to a private balcony where a sun lounger and al fresco dining area offer views over the water features. Nothing is flashy, instead it's rustic and entirely welcoming.
The bedroom has a Japanese essence to it thanks to low hanging lanterns and a bed that appears to float in the middle of the room. Through another door is a huge darkened bathroom, with his and hers sinks on opposite sides of the room, a rainforest shower, toilet and inviting sunken Jacuzzi-style bathtub.
The scene
This hotel is geared towards high end travel. It's home to Oman's longest swimming pool — an impressive 103 metres — a shaded family pool and a beachfront pool with huge cabana daybeds. Two of the pools are reserved for adults only, so it's great for couples seeking a romantic stay.
The resort is the brainchild of French starchitect Jean-Michel Gathy. And, after almost 20 years, the hotel remains a gorgeous fusion of chic coastal living, Omani architecture and Asian influences.
A 370-metre stretch of private coastline provides direct access to the ocean and while it’s not the most pristine beach we’ve ever strolled on, it captures Oman’s rugged spirits, with crashing waves spilling onto the shore as seagulls call overhead.
The hotel’s spa offers a varied menu of massages, body treatments, restorative baths, facials and beauty services.
We try the Moroccan Rhassoul Envelopment which is based on traditional Middle Eastern treatments.
During the two-hour treatment, we're exfoliated, polished, bathed and massaged with eucalyptus-scented black soap, rose water, Moroccan rhassoul mud and argan oil in what can only be described as the ultimate pamper session while sipping peppermint tea overlooking the ocean below.
Elsewhere, there's a large fitness suite where guests can join complimentary yoga classes, a gift shop with a well-curated selection of souvenirs, handicrafts and essentials and a Club Lounge and courtyard, exclusively for guests staying in club rooms.
The food
All guests can enjoy complimentary daily breakfast at The Restaurant where the buffet is impressive.
There are several places to eat lunch and dinner and we opt for The Beach House; it is located right on the shoreline and offers dining with a side of the sound of waves and a salty sea breeze.
The menu is seafood-focused and makes the most of the treasures from the Gulf of Oman.
We begin with an artistic amuse bouche from the chef consisting of tuna, avocado puree, caviar pearls and more all served on a bed of ice. For starters, we opt for the crusted tuna carpaccio served with mango ($36), an unlikely but harmonious pairing, and the scallops with green pea and leek fondue ($40) which are cooked well and have an enjoyable smoky flavour.
We share the seafood platter ($62) as a main course and, with a couple of sides, it's more than enough for two. With tasty tiger prawns, delicate kingfish, perfectly cooked snapper and wild Omani lobster — it is perfection, enhanced beautifully by the seaside setting.
Dessert is a trio of three: creme brulee, knafeh and chocolate cake delivered to our table and it's a delicious end to a very enjoyable meal.
The service
Friendly, accommodating and efficient when it matters most, although it's quite laid-back Omani-style at other times. Staff keep sun seekers topped up with ice-cold glasses of water and the spa therapists have magic hands.
The waiter at The Beach House clearly knows the menu inside out, and in the Club Lounge, Akon goes out of his way to ensure everyone is well looked after.
Highs and Lows
The cloud-like bed is one of the most comfortable we've slept in and the turn down service leaves the room cool and dark for your return so you can sink straight into it. There's also something decidedly tranquil about a stay here, and the resort envelops you in its serenity without you even really noticing.
There are two main lows.
Due to its beachfront location, the hotel attracts seagulls and with it, remnants of their lunch. We spot bits of dead fish, rice and other foreign objects floating in the long pool and while it might be natural, it really needs to be removed from the water more often.
Secondly, the sheer number of plastic bottles being used in the rooms is a low — in 2022, five-star hotels need to do better when it comes to options for drinking water.
The insider tip
Book a club suite. It will cost you a bit more but is worth it as you will have return airport transfers, daily afternoon tea and evening cocktails and canape hour, plus a complimentary minibar that's restocked each day.
Request a sea-facing suite to really make the most of the hotel’s beachfront location — the hotel's myriad water features are nice but can't compare with the ocean.
The verdict
A long-time favourite that’s still worth a visit especially after its revamp. While it might command higher rates than some of its neighbours, The Chedi Muscat delivers something that little bit special.
The bottom line
Rooms at The Chedi Muscat start from Omani Riyals 110 ($290), including taxes and breakfast. Check-in is from 2pm and check-out is at noon.
The Chedi Muscat - a GHM hotel; 113 18th November Street Muscat, Oman; ghmhotels.com
How to play the stock market recovery in 2021?
If you are looking to build your long-term wealth in 2021 and beyond, the stock market is still the best place to do it as equities powered on despite the pandemic.
Investing in individual stocks is not for everyone and most private investors should stick to mutual funds and ETFs, but there are some thrilling opportunities for those who understand the risks.
Peter Garnry, head of equity strategy at Saxo Bank, says the 20 best-performing US and European stocks have delivered an average return year-to-date of 148 per cent, measured in local currency terms.
Online marketplace Etsy was the best performer with a return of 330.6 per cent, followed by communications software company Sinch (315.4 per cent), online supermarket HelloFresh (232.8 per cent) and fuel cells specialist NEL (191.7 per cent).
Mr Garnry says digital companies benefited from the lockdown, while green energy firms flew as efforts to combat climate change were ramped up, helped in part by the European Union’s green deal.
Electric car company Tesla would be on the list if it had been part of the S&P 500 Index, but it only joined on December 21. “Tesla has become one of the most valuable companies in the world this year as demand for electric vehicles has grown dramatically,” Mr Garnry says.
By contrast, the 20 worst-performing European stocks fell 54 per cent on average, with European banks hit by the economic fallout from the pandemic, while cruise liners and airline stocks suffered due to travel restrictions.
As demand for energy fell, the oil and gas industry had a tough year, too.
Mr Garnry says the biggest story this year was the “absolute crunch” in so-called value stocks, companies that trade at low valuations compared to their earnings and growth potential.
He says they are “heavily tilted towards financials, miners, energy, utilities and industrials, which have all been hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic”. “The last year saw these cheap stocks become cheaper and expensive stocks have become more expensive.”
This has triggered excited talk about the “great value rotation” but Mr Garnry remains sceptical. “We need to see a breakout of interest rates combined with higher inflation before we join the crowd.”
Always remember that past performance is not a guarantee of future returns. Last year’s winners often turn out to be this year’s losers, and vice-versa.
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Dr Amal Khalid Alias revealed a recent case of a woman with daughters, who specifically wanted a boy.
A semen analysis of the father showed abnormal sperm so the couple required IVF.
Out of 21 eggs collected, six were unused leaving 15 suitable for IVF.
A specific procedure was used, called intracytoplasmic sperm injection where a single sperm cell is inserted into the egg.
On day three of the process, 14 embryos were biopsied for gender selection.
The next day, a pre-implantation genetic report revealed four normal male embryos, three female and seven abnormal samples.
Day five of the treatment saw two male embryos transferred to the patient.
The woman recorded a positive pregnancy test two weeks later.
Where can I submit a sample?
Volunteers can now submit DNA samples at a number of centres across Abu Dhabi. The programme is open to all ages.
Collection centres in Abu Dhabi include:
- Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC)
- Biogenix Labs in Masdar City
- Al Towayya in Al Ain
- NMC Royal Hospital in Khalifa City
- Bareen International Hospital
- NMC Specialty Hospital, Al Ain
- NMC Royal Medical Centre - Abu Dhabi
- NMC Royal Women’s Hospital.
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Profile
Name: Carzaty
Founders: Marwan Chaar and Hassan Jaffar
Launched: 2017
Employees: 22
Based: Dubai and Muscat
Sector: Automobile retail
Funding to date: $5.5 million
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The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
Company profile
Date started: 2015
Founder: John Tsioris and Ioanna Angelidaki
Based: Dubai
Sector: Online grocery delivery
Staff: 200
Funding: Undisclosed, but investors include the Jabbar Internet Group and Venture Friends
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Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill
Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Red Sparrow
Dir: Francis Lawrence
Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Joel Egerton, Charlotte Rampling, Jeremy Irons
Three stars
