We Paid /night

Including room rate, taxes and mandatory resort fees

What does ""We Paid"" mean?

Forbes Travel Guide performs independent, incognito inspections of all hotels we rate. This is what we paid when we stayed at this hotel.

Rates can vary widely by room type and season. "We Paid" is intended to give a general sense of price, but you might find considerably different rates for your trip.

When we book, we aim for the optimum season for the destination, but we avoid holidays and major public events, when prices are highest. We generally book a room at one category up from the most basic.

We take advantage of promotional rates, when possible. That means the rate you see above might have included other benefits, such as spa or meal credits.

VIEW ALL RESULTS

Destinations
Stories
Award Winners

Professional Resources

Muscat Hotels|Muscat, Oman

Al Bustan Palace, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel

Name: Al Bustan Palace, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel
Telephone: 968 24-799666

Oman’s regal seaside retreat

RESPONSIBLE HOSPITALITY VERIFIED

VERIFIED LUXURY

Learn How We Inspect

We are the only independent, global rating system for luxury hotels, restaurants, spas and ocean cruise ships.

Here are five things to know about us:

1. We verify luxury. Our highly trained inspectors visit every property we rate, evaluating based on up to 900 objective criteria. Our hotel stays span a minimum of two nights.

2. We pay our own way. No one can buy a rating; all ratings are earned through our objective inspection process.

3. Our global team of inspectors are anonymous at all times, so they have the same experience as a typical guest.

4. While we inspect both service and facility, our Star Rating system emphasizes service because your experience at a hotel, restaurant or spa goes beyond looks — how it makes you feel is what you will remember most.

5. We started in1958 as Mobil Travel Guide, and we created the original Five-Star rating system for hospitality.

For press inquiries, please click here.

Five-Star
These properties deliver an outstanding experience and consistently offer a highly customized level of service.

Four-Star
These are exceptional properties, offering high levels of service and quality of facility to match.

Recommended
These are excellent properties with consistently good service and facilities.

Soon To Be Rated
As our highly trained, incognito inspectors work to assess properties, our editors check them out ahead of time and provide a sneak preview of what to expect.

VIEW ALL AWARD WINNERS

You will find a dramatic backdrop at Al Bustan Palace, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel. With the jagged peaks of the Al Hajar Mountains jutting up into the sky on one side and the endless expanse of the Sea of Oman on the other, the luxury hotel seems to reside in a fairytale landscape.

But the whimsical wonders don’t stop there. Like stepping inside a jewelry box, the lobby instantly dazzles with gilded walls and a 124-foot domed atrium anchored by a collection of crystal chandeliers. The entire property oozes opulence with an Arabesque-meets-art-deco design scheme throughout, paired with signature Ritz-Carlton service and attention to detail fit for visiting royalty. Nearly 200 acres of oasis-like gardens, a private beach and a stylish spa complete the regal retreat in sumptuous style.

Our Inspector's Highlights

Al Bustan Palace, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel isn’t just a royal residence in name. The luxury hotel is a favorite of Oman’s own leaders — the ninth floor is reserved exclusively for the use of the country’s sultan.
The luxury hotel offers plenty of ways to beat the desert heat, from an Olympic-size pool and a private stretch of sand along the Sea of Oman to simple but comfortable hammocks hung beneath towering palm trees. Cool off in style by booking a Lagoon Access room and enjoy a dip straight from your private terrace.
You won’t have to head into Muscat to enjoy a little vacation spending spree. A chic shopping arcade on the ground floor features a collection of boutiques selling jewelry, clothes and Omani handicrafts that make excellent souvenirs.
Recently refurbished accommodations have a modern take on classic Arabesque style — think calming cream tones, dark wood accents and sleek marble floors that echo your desert surroundings.
Beautifully built into the rocky hillside, Al Bustan Palace Spa by The Ritz-Carlton is a sprawling oasis of holistic wellness. The 33,000-square-foot spa resembles an Omani palace with six hammam rooms and separate men’s and women’s relaxation areas outfitted with infrared saunas, ice fountains and steam rooms.

The Restaurants

Start your day with a bountiful breakfast buffet along with sea breezes from the terrace of Al Khiran Kitchen. The expansive offerings include continental and Omani classics best washed down with a selection from the buffet's vibrant juice bar.
Savor a curated menu of Chinese classics from chef de cuisine Sam Peong in the stylish surroundings of China Mood. While you can order à la carte, we suggest opting for the signature set menu to enjoy the chef’s highlights, like seafood shumai, Peking duck rolls and Yangzhou fried rice.
The Pavilion serves up fresh seafood and juicy steaks from an alfresco venue overlooking the waves. Dig into Indian Ocean-sourced oysters or Australian tomahawk ribeye carved tableside as you watch the sun set over the sea.
Light bites and refreshing cocktails are delivered poolside at BLU Pool & Garden Bar. On Thursdays and Fridays, take advantage of the bar’s All Day Pink Menu and enjoy bottles of rosé served with a gratis platter of fruit or cheese.
Feel like royalty when you indulge in afternoon tea in the jewel-box-like surroundings of The Atrium Lobby Lounge. Those who prefer a moodier setting can retreat to the Al Maha Bar & Lounge, where art deco style and atmospheric cocktail jazz dominate the wood-paneled space.

Amenities