Crowne Plaza Muscat

Crowne Plaza Muscat sits on a headland in Qurum Heights, above the long sweep of Qurum Beach, and its views over the Gulf of Oman are its trump card. The hotel has around 200 newly renovated rooms and suites, many with sea views, and a private beach reached directly from the property. The double-deck, temperature-controlled infinity pool looks straight out to sea, and the clifftop terrace is one of the city’s best spots for a sunset drink. There are five places to eat and drink: The Restaurant for all-day dining and a popular Friday brunch, Shiraz for Persian food, Come Prima for Italian, The Edge and Duke’s. Qurum is a pleasant, central part of Muscat, with parks, cafés and the beach promenade, and the Royal Opera House is nearby. Parking is free for guests, the airport is about 25 kilometres away, and Mutrah is around 15 kilometres along the coast.

Location and getting around: Qurum sits roughly halfway between the airport and the old city, which makes it a practical base for sightseeing in both directions. The Royal Opera House and Shati Al Qurum’s cafés are close, the Grand Mosque is a short drive west, and Mutrah and Old Muscat are about twenty to thirty minutes east by taxi. The hotel’s website mentions a shuttle in one place and no shuttle in another, so confirm before you rely on it.

Rooms and who it suits: rooms range from standard rooms to one- and two-bedroom suites, with sea, city or garden views; it is worth paying a little more for a sea view. It suits couples and families who want a beach and a pool without resort prices, and travellers who want a central base for the Opera House and the Grand Mosque.

Good to know: the beach is reached down the cliff, so it is not ideal for anyone with limited mobility. Friday brunch and the surf and turf nights are popular with residents, so book ahead. Rates are mid-range for a full-service sea-view hotel, and breakfast is not always included, so check your rate before booking.