Luxury
Travel To Oman
Oman, touted
among punters as the 'next Dubai' could not be as
far removed from its geographical cousin as a
tourist destination. Luxury travel to Oman promises
much in the way of stellar luxury hotels in
enchanting natural surroundings- from the
eco-conscious Six Senses hideaway Zighy Bay to the
Chedi Oman. Testing the limits of accessibility
Urbane Nomads-style, there'll also be luxury camping
in the Empty Quarters, where guests can contemplate
the silence and remoteness of the area in luxury.
Maintaining much
of its culture and endowed with stunning natural
landscapes, Oman's intrinsic qualities and clever
eschewing of crass, over-the-top iconic buildings in
favour of tasteful establushments successfully
distinguishes Oman from her more glittery cousin.
Luxury travel in Oman takes on a different form,
finding a closer parallel to Bhutan perhaps, than
Dubai. Muscat's luxury accommodation options include
the sublimely chic Chedi Muscat and the more
family-friendly Shangri-la Barr al Jissah.
These luxury hotels, though, are only the staging
grounds for a greater adventure ahead- a Wilfred
Thesiger-styled venture into the Empty Quarters,
perhaps, or the more accessible Wahiba Sands.
Based at The Chedi Oman
in Muscat, channeling a delicious Orientalism with
modern contemporary glamour, dine by the romantic;
beachfront restaurant and lounge by the Japanese bar
(adjunct to, quite possibly, the most chic prayer
room anywhere in the world!)
Oman had only recently opened its doors to tourism
and the path the regent had taken has been one of
luxury, akin , indeed, to Bhutan's low-impact,
high-value tourism. Luxury in the Empty Quarters
includes elaborate Berber-like setups, luxury tents,
spectacular sundowners and charismatic guides. It
might be contrary to Thesiger's ethos equating
satisfaction to the amount of hardship encountered
during the course of travel but we're not
complaining....
Main picture courtesy of Suresh Gopalsamy
Picture on this page courtesy
of Ahmed Al-Ahmed Al-Shukaili
Main picture courtesy of Suresh Gopalsamy
Picture on this page courtesy
of Ahmed Al-Ahmed Al-Shukaili