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The best way to find hotels in Oman for your vacation is by searching for good options online and telling your travel agency to make the required bookings. The country is fast growing in the tourism sector, and in the last decade or so many new international hotels and resort chains have made their way into major cities. In view of the fact that accommodation is one of the primary factors affecting the fun factor of a vacation, it may be a good idea to take matters in your own hand. Since there are a large number of hotels and resorts in the Sultanate, given below are some of the best hotel and resort properties listed according to their star ratings. You can simply choose from these, depending on your holiday budget and places included in your itinerary.
The Sultanate is well-known for its five star properties that exude elegance while keeping the heritage and Omani feel intact. Some of the most preferred five star properties in Oman are Al Bustan Palace Hotel, Al Husn (Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa), Al Bandar (Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa), Al Waha (Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa), The Muscat Intercontinental Hotel, The Chedi Muscat, and The Grand Hyatt Muscat, all located in Muscat. Others include the Six Senses Hideaway Zighy Bay in Dibba, and The Hilton Salalah, and The Crowne Plaza Resort in Salalah.
The country has a fine selection of four star hotels and resorts too, designed keeping the visitors’ leisure and requirements in mind. Some of the recommended names for such accommodation needs in Muscat are The Crowne Plaza Hotel, The Radisson Sas Hotel, The Ramada, and Hotel Muscat Holiday. For your Barkha stay you can select from Al Nahda Resort & Spa, or Al Sawadi Beach Resort. The Golden Tulip Nizwa Hotel in Nizwa is also favored by foreigners. Other favourites are The Sur Plaza Hotel in Sur, Crowne Plaza in Sohar, and The Desert Night Resort for holidaying in Sharqiya Sands.
For those of you who are looking for a good three star hotel, some of the favourable options are The Ramee Guestline Hotel, The Golden Tulip Muscat, Al Falaj Hotel, The Falaj Daris Hotel in Nizwa, The Ras Al Hadd Beach Hotel in Ras Al Hadd, Al Sharqiya Sands Hotel in Sharqiya, The 1000 Nights Camp in Sharqiya, and The Jebel Akhdar Hotel in Nizwa.
Some of the mentioned hotels may not have their official websites online. This is the reason, it may be best to ask your travel agency for suggestions. Especially, if you have specific needs like handicapped facilities, spa treatments, swimming pool, pick up and drop facilities, etc. Another advantage of booking your accommodation through a travel agency is that they can book the hotels in Oman that are more convenient in relevance to your itinerary. Plus, a majority of travel agencies have tie-ups with hotels and can provide you with rooms at a better discounted price.
One of the most vital things to ensure that you have a fabulous holiday in Oman is to find a good local travel agency. There are many in Muscat and you can simply log onto some websites and select one that you think can help you best in making the required bookings and showing you around. If you plan on staying only in the Capital and still not miss out on the treasures this ancient Sultanate has in store, look for various excursions in Muscat available through such travel agencies. You can compare the choices online and make an informed decision and relevant bookings well in advance. Some of the more popular tours arranged by the leading travel agencies of the city are mentioned below.
A favourite is the Muscat city tour that offers a unique opportunity the glory, mystique and modernism of this city. This is a four hour tour that includes visiting the Grand Mosque, Bait Al Zubair Museum, the Al Alam Palace, the 16th century Portuguese forts Mirani and Jalali, the waterfront cornice, the fish market and the colorful Mattrah souq.
One is the Nizwa Forts tour, which aims to introduce visitors to the birthplace of Islam in the Sultanate of Oman. This excursion takes duration of 9 hours and covers sites like the famous Round Tower Fort and its souq, Jabrin castle, and the beautiful village of Birkat Al Mauz located at the foothills of Green Mountain of Jebel Akhdar, where visitors can enjoy a walk through its oasis and dense date plantations.
Another favourite is the Al Hoota Caves tour of 8 hours, as it covers Nizwa’s Round Tower fort and souq, the village of Birkat Al Mauz as well as the Al Hoota Caves, where visitors can see stalactites and stalagmites, and an underground lake.
For visitors that want to enjoy a special evening out, there is the Twilight Dhow Cruise that takes 3 hours. One can view the city’s coast and the change of beautiful earth colours to sparkling city lights as the sun sets, with a brief stop at a natural cove.
For marine-life lovers there is a dolphin and whale watching tour. This is an early morning tour of 3 to 4 hours, and while every trip may not have a sighting, it is a spectacular way to start your day in this country.
Other celebrated excursions in Muscat include the Batinah tour and the majestic mountains tour. Such tours are a great way to select parts of Oman. Many travel agencies even design tailor-made tours or private tours that can take you around in chauffeur driven vehicles. You can choose exactly what you wish to see and how. All you need to do is let your travel agency know of your desires and luxury requirements beforehand.
Capturing the essence of a beautiful country like the Sultanate of Oman in just a day is impossible, you need a good 10 to 15 days to see the magic and splendour it has to offer. For the thousands of visitors that come to Muscat for business, this is difficult. At the most they have a couple of days in the country and have meetings lined up every day of the stay. If you find yourself in such a situation and can’t seem to take time out of your busy business schedule but still do not want to miss out on the glimpses of Omani heritage and culture, a good option would be to book yourself one of the famous Oman Muscat tours. These are city tours that last four to six hours and showcase the best that the capital has to offer. You can book such a tour through your hotel or travel agency in a matter of minutes. All you need to do is pick a day and you are all set.
This tour covers most must-see places in and around the main city. A majority of city tours include a pick up and drop to your hotel, so rest assured that you won’t get lost or have to travel unaccompanied. Such tours are ideal for your family members that otherwise have to get bored in the hotel, while you are out on meetings or other business. It is a fun and interesting way to spend half a day driving through the amazingly scenic city of Muscat, visiting some of the main landmarks of the city, strolling along the ancient gullies of traditional markets, experiencing the unusual smells and hospitality of the locals, and learning about the historical and cultural aspects of the country. The guides that conduct these tours are professionals that hold expert knowledge about the city and country, making the tour more enjoyable and informative.
Oman Muscat tours are conducted privately too. If you want a private tour for your family or group, you can contact a reputable travel agency of the city and ask for details. In the common tours travel is conducted through luxury air-conditioned coaches or mini buses, while private tours can be undertaken in cars. All you have to be careful about is the dress code, as many religious places do not permit shorts, skirts, or short sleeves and sleeveless tops. Visitors should be dressed in clothes that cover all body parts including hands, and legs. Women have to cover their heads with a scarf or the like. The city tour usually covers the Grand Mosque, Bait Al Zubair Museum, Fish market, Mattrah Souq, His Majesty Sultan Qaboos’s Al Alam Palace, and the 16th century Portuguese forts Mirani and Jalali.
The exquisiteness and variety of Oman makes it one of the most popular destinations in all of Arabia. The kingdom possesses canyons and sand dunes alongside more modern amenities that proffer a remarkable travel experience worth embarking upon. The history of Oman dates back to a time when this magnificent sultanate was a vibrant trade country rich in spices and precious metals. Even today the historic buildings and antique souks tell the tales of a thousand mysteries, which is the heart of Oman. All in all, the best-kept secrets of Arabia can be discovered on Oman holidays.
 The country is full of rare animal species that are thriving in the natural habitats housed in the areas of Oman. The warm climate also makes the country an ideal spot for water sports and the mountain terrains are great for climbing and trekking. Hence, adventure sports and bird watching is a big part of any tourist itinerary, but Oman suggests a lot more than this. No visit to Muscat is complete without a shopping spree in the allies of Mutrah Souk in the evening. The fascinating market springs hundreds of tiny shops selling everything from ornate silver daggers, Bedouin jewelry, frankincense, herbs, spices, honey, perfume, to carpets and clothing. Taking a Dhow cruise is another must. Hop onto a traditional wooden boat to enjoy the dramatic coastline. Watch out for dolphins and whales, as this is the best way of spotting these playful creatures. Oman is famous for its caves. It is home to the second largest cave in the world, the Majlis al-Jhinn. Its long passages, crystal-clear streams, canals and drip curtains are awe-inspiring.
 When it comes to sightseeing, Oman poses an array of options. There are the great forts and castles that have served as cultural and historical landmarks. Strolling on the amazingly scenic beaches of Oman is another pleasure to seize. For souvenirs to carry back home, the traditional souks are perfect. Found in many of the towns throughout the Sultanate, browsing through some of the smaller shops may result in a lucky find. Bargaining is a must, however.
From majestic mountain treks to mystical desert safris, from unearthing the treasures of the deep sea to losing your way in the magical mazes of the evening markets, and from being flabbergasted by the beautiful forts to being humbled by the simplicity of the natives, Oman offers a little exclusivity for all types of travelers. Just pick your interest and rediscover beauty and awe on your Oman holidays.
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