Al Bustan Palace Hotel

This was a return visit following the closure for refurbishment and like many who returned our first impression was that not all the improvements had been beneficial but after a few days of settling in we realised that the Al Bustan and its staff have not lost their charm. The hotel was 30% full and we (in our early 60's) were one of the youngest there! We saw one child,a couple in their 40's a few in their 50's and 60's and everyone else appeared to be 70+. 60% German speaking,25% Brits-maybe the mix and ages will change at school holidays? The lobby is stunning and many visitors have cricks in their necks admiring the domed ceiling and chandeliers. The beach front is the largest of any Muscat hotel with immaculate manicured lawns with lines of mature palms( very regimented,suits the elderly Germans) each with its pair of sun loungers and staff waiting to greet you and set you up for the day with fluffy beach towels , cold water, face cloths and moisture sprays. There is a beach food and drinks menu for service direct to your seat or you can wander up to the Beach Pavilion for a drink or a sandwich/salad. Most of the regular clients agreed that the new pool, landscaping and refurbishments had been an improvement but were unanimous in wanting the old beach pavilion back. You could wander up in your beach clothes for a social drink and sit down under the velum for a snack and it was always popular and full. Because the new Beach Pavilion is all modern and classy it is little used in the day as guests do not want to have to change to eat (although staff say you are welcome in beach clothes).We were told by the management that they realise their error and a new small beach bar is to built in the summer. I think the only other comment is the refurbished rooms -the Al Bustan has two masters, tourists and delegations/conferences and whilst the lagoon/garden rooms are geared to the former the rooms in the main building with great views are “typical Intercontinenta-slightly soul less and impersonal”. Close the curtains and you could be anywhere in the world. Shame-the old “Arabian Rooms” were classic Oman. There are many positives-great views, lovely infinity pool, sailing/kayaks/snorkeling on the reef with turtles BUT the real positives are the quality of the staff-superb. Housekeeping was discrete and very efficient, as were all the services. The other big positive is the quality of the food and service-world class, at a price. Room rates have doubled in two years and a depreciation of 35% of the £ against the OMR makes it a double hit. You can eat and drink well without breaking the bank ( see my F&B review: http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g294006-i2046-k2697741-Al_Bustan_Food_Drink_prices_April_2009-Oman.html ) but I fear that the Al Bustan, together with The Chedi and Al Husn will have to suffer low occupancy for some years unless prices are trimmed .

Spent a few days here on the way back from Bangkok and I was really looking forward to seeing what had been done to the Al Bustan over the last 2 years. Whilst I had never stayed here before I felt I knew it well as we had lunched and had dined under the stars there over the years whilst staying with friends in Muscat. There were very many positive things about our stay but many negative ones that could seriously affect the future success of this famous hotel. The lobby is absolutely stunning with the giant chandeliers, but you feel you could be in Dubai – I think in retrospect I prefer the original classic Omani Arabic style. Service was still world class & I recognised some of the staff from previous visits, always a good sign. The bedrooms are really excellent, as you would expect of a 5* hotel and so luxurious you could cocoon yourself all day. The beach and gardens layout and service was also top class – cold towels /water service with facial spray. Having that long fine sand beach has always been a big plus and the red tide that had blighted Muscat over the Christmas & New Year had gone which means I enjoyed the sea, although a bit chilly compared to Thailand.Guests told us the Gym was as good as any top hotel,fully equipped and with views over the bay. Nice to see some shops but I cannot see them being a success -who comes to buy a £15k watch in Oman or some local furniture? At least in the old lobby bookshop you could browse, buy papers and cards and even the odd souvenir.These are a white elephant. One BIG error is the beach pavilion, nicknamed by residents as “The Library”, no one had a good word to say about the architecture.The changing room block is the same- it does look out of place. I loved the old pavilion with its South Sea feel and relaxed lunches there were a delight. Please knock this one down and rebuild the old one-big mistake, don’t try to do a Chedi. And the other BIG change is pricing. Friends of ours stayed here three years ago, peak season, and paid £200 for a sea view room including breakfast. It is now £500 The other costs that have doubled or tripled in price are the food and drink. Buffet with house wine for two is nearly £150 -it is only a buffet after all ,not fine dining and wines at Le Manoir aux Quat Saisons!!– It used to be OMR15 for buffet and similar for house wine with a total of £70. Bottle of beer £7, Gin & Tonic £13, Bottle sparkling water £6 and I could go on. This is a luxury hotel but at these prices it will struggle to get and keep clients at this time of world recession. My other big gripe is that your cannot have a light meal at dinner .– You could not have a main course and a dessert (my preference) at Vue you had to have a minimum of 3 courses. Although an Al a Carte/italian menu is supposed to be available at the buffet it wasn’'t so you had to have the buffet and pay for the lot even if you had a starter and a dessert. Not everyone has giant appetites and everyone we spoke to had the same moan. One couple also walked out of Vue because of the dismal, slow service and another had the very expensive degustation menu and were full after the first three courses. It really is a great shame. I can remember the Al Bustan as an icon and eating there was a luxury you could afford. The stunning beach location, the superb architecture (except the library), the quality of the staff and the overall style makes this a wonderful place to stay but who will be able to afford to stay here in the future - even the wealthy Austrians, Swiss and latterly Russian who were the mainstay clientele are feeling the pinch. The Al Bustan will have to sort out its pricing, especially food and drink, if it is to survive the recession. I doubt at their current pricing that can afford to return

Having had three enjoyable visits to the Al Bustan, my wife and I were looking forward to seeing all the changes after the long refurbishment. The welcome from the staff was warm and friendly, and without exception, all the staff were both efficient and charming. The room was perfect, and the bed one of the most comfortable we have experienced anywhere in the world. However, we found that the old lobby, with its wonderful Islamic art has been replaced by ostentatious crystal chandeliers and expensive woodwork. So what was a unique lobby/atrium area is now no different (apart from size) to many other five star hotels. The old Beach Pavilion with its rustic design, fitted in perfectly with the palm trees and the general environment. This has been replaced with a concrete and plate glass monstrosity which sits right on the shore line. But our main complaint was about the food prices. For example, a club sandwich 13.5 Omani Rials (about £27 Stg), a buffet meal 20 Rials, and the French Vue Restaurant 2 course dinner 25 Rials, all these prices without taxes, service charge and drinks. The total cost of one buffet dinner for two, including a half bottle of Australian Chardonnay was 68.410 Rials (say £137). It is impossible to eat 'economically'. So sadly, our fourth visit was our last

We stayed at Al Bustan Palace after its renovation. Great hotel, lovely beach and pool. Rooms are big and well equiped (arabian style). The service is not as good as you could expect (better in Shangri-la or Chedi). Food is really goog

We had not stayed here before the renovations so cannot compare, but I was expecting something more "Arabian". Maybe it never was, but now Al Bustan is contemporary and sleekly sophisticated. Rather like The Chedi where we also stayed (see separate review), but attractively tucked away in its own bay surrounded on 3 sides by mountains. The swimming pools were beautiful, but looked more like water gardens with palm trees set in the water and hidden steps in. I waited until I saw other people in the water for fear of making an awful faux pas! The water was freezing and it was an endurance test to stay in for more than a few minutes. Our bedroom was lovely with good storage space and luxurious bathroom, and a balcony with view over the mountains, gardens and sea. The food was superb and the breakfast buffet must be the best I have ever eaten. A fabulous hotel, we just loved it and would love to go back, but would also love to go back to The Chedi, so which to choose?

What was arguably the finest hotel ever, having just re-opened after after a two year refurbishment, has become a major disappointment. Room prices have trebled, other charges have doubled, and the rooms and the services are quite unchanged. The gardens have been re-modeled (apparently) to appeal to the elderly. At a minimum of GBP600 per day (assuming internet and breakfast) this great hotel has become a great rip-off. When challenged, hotel management responded that the market had changed. What a shame! Peter Jackson

The hotel reopened on November 1. We stayed from the 8th until the 11th. Two of the restaurants including the beach club had not yet opened, but were almost ready. The hall just inside the hotel is even more jaw-dropping than before. It is one of he most stunning rooms in any hotel in the world. The new landscaping and pools and lagoon are very nice. We had a lagoon room which has a patio that opens directly to the lagoon. You can literally swim to the neighboring rooms. The service was good but stiff. The food in the restaurants was quite good but again the service just a bit unpolished. The new hotel staff (including quite a few from pre-renovation) will probably improve once they are more comfortable with the hotel. The most luxe property in Muscat is still the premium part of the Shangri La hotel complex. Al Bustan is a close second. They have been offering introductory rates which make it a very good value.

At the time we wanted to go there (February is the high season in Oman since the weather is very nice), the Al Bustan was fully booked weeks in advance. Finally we showed up directly there and got a suite (234 OMR, around 500 EUR/night), which is very expensive for what we are used to pay for a hotel, but it was really worth it. The Al Bustan is truely a palace, very nicely decorated, and the staff is very professional, nothing to complain about. The Arabian suite is huge, beautiful decorated and of course very comfortable. The beach is nice and of course very clean, as soon as you arrive on the beach, someone will be here to meet you and help you to find a suitable place, installing everything for you to relax on the grass or on the beach. Food is also delicious, we paid 25 OMR (55 EUR) for a lunch and 45 OMR (100 EUR) for a dinner. The palace is located in a secluded area just outside of Muttrah. However since we rent a car when travelling in Oman, it is not a problem to go around in town. This is a magnificent place to relax!

Truly the most superb hotel in the Middle East. Entering the soaring lobby, with the scent of frankincense burning will be seared into your memory. I normally go to Muscat every year, but since the Al Bustan Palace is closed for refurb - I will not return until it is open again. I cannot say enough about this hotel, the staff are first class and the surroundings are truly magnificent. This is my favourite place in the world to relax and unwind, very highly recommend it to anyone who wants to get away for a break.

Beautiful location, marvellous scenery, outstanding rooms. This hotel is brilliant. If I would choose between the Burj Al Arab in Dubai and this one, I would chooes this one. Lifeguards are always on duty by the pools, snorkelling with clownfish, no eels, no jellyfish, no harmful sharks. Overall, this place is brilliant. I would say if you will be trying to book before July 08, you will not be able to stay after long-term refurbishments are taking place. This will nearly half the number of bedrooms but people were complaining about the room sizes. They are doubling the bedroom size because of it. I would highly recommend it. Going there in late Feb along with Dubai (Jetsetter).