Sifawy Boutique Hotel
On arrival into Muscat, my first hotel was Sifawy Boutique Hotel. An hour’s drive it is located along the Jebel Sifah Marina. With 68 guest rooms (25 Sifawy rooms, 29 suites and 14 apartments) Sifawy has been designed by renowned Italian designer Alfredo Freda. Each room is designed in 3 unique colour schemes of white, blue and yellow and all boast a private balcony with beautiful views of the marina or swimming pool.
They were kind enough to provide me with a nice suite with a very spacious bathroom. In the mornings the balcony was ideal for relaxing and enjoying the view from the balcony as it was facing the Marina. Sifawy’s restaurants use fresh, locally-sourced ingredients whenever possible. The cuisine at Al Sabla (which means social centre of an Omani village) an all-day dining restaurant was delicious. The chef was kind enough to provide Indian vegetarian dishes. Al Sabla also offers a unique blend of international and regional flavours. The Breeze Bar located alongside the swimming pool offers pool-side snacks, fresh juices and cool drinks. Gastronomy can be a plus point at Sifawy for those who enjoy food.
Sifawy also features a large swimming pool, an outdoor Jacuzzi, a fitness centre, and a treatment room, apart from a wide range of activities and excursions. In the evening, I took a short walk down the stunning marina, passing by residences, cafes, and shops. I was informed that Jebel Sifah is spread over 6.2 million sqm and is designed to include world-class hotels. It also houses freehold residences, which are available to own or rent, an 84-berth marina, and a wide range of dining and leisure facilities. Sifah’s nine-hole par 36 golf course is the first-ever seaside golf course, which can also be played as a varied 18-hole par 72 course by utilizing second pin flags.
“But that’s not all, you must visit the Dunes Beach which would be ideal for your Indian readers,” said Tarek, the GM at Sifawy Boutique Hotel, who was kind enough to take me there. A bit far away from Sifawy, the Dunes can be a perfect destination for a luxury beachfront wedding and top corporate events. I loved the place with both the majestic Al Hajar Mountains and the pristine beach as a backdrop.
“Developed by our tourism developers Muriya, we offer a stunning location for not just luxury weddings but also MICE. We have a nice restaurant (which was closed during my visit) with chefs who can provide a lavish feast of international and locally inspired cuisine along with our mixologists,” said Tarek.
Salalah Rotana Resort
On my return from Germany, I flew into Salalah to cover two more resorts of the group. The added bonus for me was that my friend Eihab Attia was also going to be there. Located 35km from Salalah International Airport, Salalah Rotana Resort is a perfect place to spend a week relaxing and visiting UNESCO World Heritage sites and other attractions.
The resort has 422 deluxe guestrooms and suites, and all 422 rooms and suites overlook the beach, lagoons, water features, or the hotel’s man-made canals. The upscale hotel’s Omani-inspired architecture features a series of clusters surrounding the main building. The resort has six dining venues, with the most popular one being Saffron, the all-day dining restaurant. The buffet spread is amazing and features an array of authentic cuisine from around the world, including India. Apart from this venue, the resort has The Beach Bar & Restaurant, Club Rotana Restaurant & Lounge, Far East at Silk Road, Arabesque Lounge & Terrace, and Coco-Shack Beach Bar.
“If you are on your honeymoon or a romantic couple and want to spice up your romance, then we can arrange an intimate beach dinner with private butler service,” said Eihab Attia.
The resort is also ideal for a business meeting, conference, seminar, or special event, with state-of-the-art facilities, outstanding dining and leisure offerings, and 400+ rooms to cater to even a huge gathering. Due to its incredible location and romantic atmosphere, Salalah Rotana is also a popular wedding destination. The Al Hajar Ballroom is the ideal venue for a large reception.
Apart from this, the resort’s Bodylines Fitness & Wellness Club features world-class facilities, including a fully-equipped gymnasium, two swimming pools, two tennis courts, saunas, and steam rooms, while Zen the spa is the place to relax or rejuvenate. Youngsters will love Flipper’s Kids Club, which features more than 450 sqm of play areas, four playrooms, and a raft of activities.
Fanar Hotel & Residence
My next visit was Fanar Hotel & Residences, a five-star beachfront resort close to the Rotana. With 577 guestrooms and suites, it offers rooms that open to an outdoor balcony area with seating or ocean view rooms with panoramic views of the Indian Ocean and marina.
There are plenty of restaurants and bars that guests can access, though room service is also available 24 hours a day. Guests have access to three different restaurants for breakfast: Al Souk: Main Restaurant All Day Dining, Sindbad: Second Restaurant All Day Dining, Aubergine: Mediterranean Cuisine Breakfast. Then there are Breakers: Beach Restaurant Lunch & Dinner; Cocos: Pool Bar; Dunes: Pool Bar; Sandbar: Beach Bar; Zanzi Bar: Beach Bar; Horizon: Rooftop Bar and Ivory lounge: Lobby lounge.
The resort can be a dream destination if guests are able to use all the facilities and offerings. It has two main pools (one of them heated during winter), one children’s pool for families, an outside Jacuzzi, motorized and non-motorized water sport activities, beach volleyball, beach tennis, beach football fields, and a fully equipped tennis court. Bikes are available at a nominal charge.
Bikes are available at a nominal charge.
The El Gouna meeting room is a multi-purpose banquet room with a private entrance and garden. It is a unique venue that can be used for meetings, press conferences, product launches, business presentations, cocktail receptions, private gala dinners, or intimate wedding receptions.
The resort also has private beaches (1.2 km total) equipped with lounge chairs, umbrellas, and beach bars, including one beach dedicated to Premium Package guests with special beach beds, hammocks, and a dedicated bar.
During my visit, another property adjacent to Fanar Hotel & Residences, Juweira Boutique Hotel, was getting renovated. “We are planning to make it an Adults Only hotel. Many will love the picturesque marina promenade of Hawana Salalah, which will be designed in a classic oriental theme,” said Eihab Attia. With 82 rooms, it will offer a variety of recreational facilities and services, including two large swimming pools, a state-of-the-art wellness center, and intimate guestrooms.
About the Group
Orascom Development
With over 20 years of experience, Orascom Development is a leading developer of integrated towns with a strong foothold in Egypt and the Middle East. The Group offers hotels, private villas and apartments, leisure facilities such as golf courses and marinas, along with all related facilities and supporting infrastructure. Orascom Development has a diverse portfolio of stunning destinations in popular tourist areas across Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa, covering more than 100 million sq. m.
As a hotel owner and operator, the group has 33 hotels with more than 7,000 rooms in six countries. They operate with internationally renowned strategic franchise partners, including Rotana, Steigenberger, Sheraton, Movenpick, Radisson, and the ultra-high-end luxury brand The Chedi, or as independently branded properties.
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