A few weeks ago, I stayed at the Al Bustan Palace in Muscat. An amazing resort which impresses from the moment you enter the lobby. What’s it like, staying at this Palace, build for the sultan of Oman? Will you enjoy a real Royal Experience at this Ritz-Carlton hotel?
History of the Al Bustan Palace
The Al Bustan Palace was build for the Sultan of Oman. It opened in 1985 to facilitate the Gulf Cooperation Council Summit that year. The Palace is still owned by the Royal family today but it’s now a hotel managed by Ritz Carlton. The location is spectacular with views of the Gulf of Oman and the Al Hajar Mountains.
Check-in Experience
When you enter the Al Bustan Palace, you’re greeted by the spectacular 38m high dome with a 5 and a half ton chandelier. The lobby area of the hotel is definitely one of the most impressive lobby’s I’ve ever seen. Of course what helps is the fact that it’s truly authentic and in the style of what you would expect from a palace in Oman.
The check-in agent thanked for me for being a Bonvoy Titanium member and as such, I’m upgraded to a suite overlooking the Gulf of Oman. Of course this is much appreciated especially since it turns out the suite and the views are amazing!
Suite
The Suite of the Al Bustan Palace Ritz Carlton hotel is exactly what you hope it would be. I normally prefer the understated luxury style you typically find in a Park Hyatt hotel, but in this case, the room fits perfectly with the overall architecture and style of the hotel. On top of that, everything feels new and fresh.
The highlight for sure is the balcony with the spectacular view of the gardens, the pool, and the Gulf of Oman. The king bed feels extremely comfortable and after the sightseeing I did earlier that day, I need to force myself to get up and check out the other areas of the hotel.
Pool & Spa
The Al Bustan Palace has a separate pool & play area for small children. The main pool however is a very nice area to chill. You can order some small dishes and drinks and it’s a really pleasant place to hang out.
Obviously there is also a Spa you can visit. The Spa is located in a separate building, a short walk away from the main pool and the hotel. I only visited the Spa area for a quick look around and didn’t book any treatments. This despite being a very inviting and relaxed area. Definitely something to keep in mind for next time!
Restaurants
There are several restaurants on site. Besides the Pool & Garden Bar, the 2 other main restaurants are the ‘Al Khiran Kitchen’ and ‘The Pavilion’. Al Khiran Kitchen is a buffet restaurant where also breakfast is being served. The Pavilion is a restaurant next to the beach. I visited The Pavilion in the evening for dinner. Sitting next to the beach, I truly enjoyed the food and the whine.
In the morning, I went to the Al Khiran Kitchen for breakfast. The buffer was extensive and good. A big selection of pastries as well as other breakfast options. I also liked all the different kind of fresh juices. During my breakfast, I even got a newspaper – something which seems to be phased out in most hotels nowadays.
Conclusion
The title of the review is whether the Al Bustan Palace – Ritz Carlton hotel provides a real Royal Experience. What I really liked is the authenticity of the hotel even though the Palace is now under management of Ritz-Carlton. From the moment you enter the hotel, you feel you are in a special place and not something artificial. The Suite was great, the service fantastic and the food was very good. I can certainly recommend the Al Bustan Palace hotel. Royal Experience is maybe a bit too much, but you will certainly not regret staying at this Ritz Carlton hotel.
Please also check out my video with Oman Air from Muscat to Paris which includes my check-out experience from the Al Bustan Palace!
Also check out my review of the Park Hyatt hotel in Abu Dhabi.
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