Review: Al Bustan Palace, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel

60

Introduction and booking

On my trip to Muscat, I couldn’t pass up the chance to stay at the stunning Al Bustan Palace, which became part of the Ritz- Carlton brand in 2011. Opening its doors in 1985 in time to host guests attending the Gulf Cooperation Council Summit, this luxurious hotel is an iconic landmark in the capital of the Sultanate of Oman.

Surrounded by 200 acres of lush gardens, it’s true to its name, Al Bustan, which means “the garden” in Arabic. With the Al Hajar Mountains in the backdrop and the property facing the Sea of Oman, it’s a sight to behold.

Although it feels like a secluded retreat, its location is actually central. It’s only eight kilometres from Muscat’s downtown, making it an easy reach to Muttrah Souk and corniche, Al Alam Palace, the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque and other sites of interest. I booked a three night stay in a standard room using my remaining 50K Free Night Award (FNA) certificates.

Related posts from this trip:

 Review: Waldorf Astoria Kuwait

Guide: Discovering the Breathtaking Landscapes of Salalah, Oman

Review: Crowne Plaza Salalah Resort

Oman Air Business Class 737 Max 8 from Salalah to Muscat

Review: The St. Regis Al Mouj Muscat Resort

Al Bustan Palace – Arrival and check-in

As soon as we stepped inside Al Bustan Palace, we were struck by the stunning 125-foot dome, crowning the centre of the lobby. Suspended from the dome was a glittering crystal chandelier above a crystal fountain. It was simply magnificent – the photos I took don’t do it justice, but you can take a virtual tour of the lobby to have a more immersive look.

There was ample seating in the lobby area, and this space was also used for Afternoon Tea at The Atrium Tea Lounge.  The property exudes old world charm, with traditional Arabian architecture including Arabesque motifs, warm woods, and brass accents. To compliment this atmosphere was a refreshing frankincense scent wafting through the lobby.

Just before entering the atrium, there was a beautifully designed stand offering Arabic coffee and dates for guests. While a common gesture of Omani hospitality, this one stood out. They had cups that had each ingredient found in the Arabic coffee on display – a nice touch!

To the left of the atrium was the reception area. We were warmly greeted by the front desk associate and were offered a welcome drink of watermelon juice. She acknowledged my Titanium elite status, thanked me for my loyalty and surprised us with complimentary breakfast. This was unexpected, as Ritz Carltons are usually stingy with elite benefits and do not generally offer complimentary breakfast.

She also provided a sheet that outlined various elite benefits I could use as a Titanium member:

• 10% discount on tour bookings through the concierge, except sea trips
• 10% discount on Airport Pick-up and Drop-off Service via concierge
• 10% discount on purchases at Spa Boutique and spa treatments
• 20% discount on water sport activities
• Complimentary 2 pieces of laundry per stay
• Complimentary 1 Afternoon Tea for 2 guests per stay

With our check-in complete, another associate arrived to escort us to our suite.

Al Bustan Palace – Executive Suite Mountain View 2 Twin Bed

Al Bustan has 250 rooms and suites, each with a private balcony. Our associate led us to one of the elevators to reach our assigned suite, 722.  As we stepped into the hallway, I noticed the distinct oud scent coming from a floor diffuser near our room. It was an enjoyable scent to smell each time I was entering or leaving our suite!

Our associate provided us a quick tour of our cozy suite. It was well-appointed with a small dining area and living room, furnished with comfortable sofas facing a flat-screen TV. They had a welcome amenity for us of dark chocolate. The vase of fresh red roses on the coffee table added lovely touch. The living room opened onto a small balcony with views of the Hajar mountains.

I loved the privacy of the suite and appreciated that the living room was separated by sliding doors from the bedroom. The bedroom had two twin beds, a second TV,  a vanity with a mirror with power outlets and an armchair with an ottoman tucked in the corner. Though, the room was pretty low-tech with no USB-C outlets, even though this property was renovated in 2018.

The bedroom had a walk-in closet that housed the safe, iron, ironing board and bathrobes.  Across from it was another closet with shelving, convenient for storing luggage. The bedroom also led into a full bathroom with a soaker tub, shower, and a single sink. A powder room connected to the full bathroom, with the hallway on its other side.  Toiletries were by Diptyque, the same brand used by Qatar Airways in their amenity kits.

Housekeeping was prompt during our stay and we appreciated the evening turndown service, where they left behind dates as a sweet treat.

Overall, the suite was functional, but a bit underwhelming compared to the significantly larger suite we had at the St. Regis Al Mouj. I personally didn’t mind the firm mattress, but they had feather-down pillows and blankets which made it too warm at night, so we had to blast the A/C to stay comfortable.

Al Bustan Palace – Facilities

The resort grounds were absolutely incredible. With palm trees, fountains, lush gardens, complete with the dramatic backdrop of the Hajar mountains and the glistening sea, it was truly picturesque. The property features six swimming pools, including a ladies-only pool, a children’s pool, infinity pool and lagoon pools.

Beyond the pools lies the beach, with many loungers and cabanas. I particularly appreciated that they had one section of the beach reserved for women only, cocooned by the mountains, adding privacy. To reach this secluded spot, you’ll need to walk all the way to the east end of the resort. While it’s quite a walk from the central wing,  buggies are available on request for those with mobility concerns.

Once you reach this end, you’ll be greeted by the Al Bustan Palace Spa by The Ritz-Carlton. It’s a spacious facility at 33,000 square feet with three levels. In the same building is a small woman’s fitness centre and an indoor ladies’ pool. From the spa, an outdoor staircase surrounded with beautiful plants and flowers leads you down to the ladies’ beach and La Sirena Beach Lounge.

When you reach the spa, the staff will provide you with a small cooler stocked with bottled water and fresh towels. Although I didn’t try any spa  treatments during this stay, the facilities were impressive and I hope to indulge in a treatment during my next visit.

On the west side of the resort, you’ll find a Kids Splash area, tennis court, an indoor mixed gym and the Al Marjan Watersports Center where you can rent paddleboards, kayaks and more. You can also sign up for snorkeling excursions. For families, the resort offers a Ritz Kids program. Additionally, the resort runs a complimentary shuttle service to Muttrah Souk with drop-offs at 4 p.m. and another trip later in the evening.

Al Bustan Palace – Breakfast

We began our day with breakfast at Al Khiran Kitchen. On our first visit, the host welcomed us and provided us with a tour of the buffet before seating us to our table. The restaurant features both indoor and outdoor seating, with the lateral overlooking their infinity pool.

The buffet selection was extensive and the quality of the food that I sampled was solid. The breakfast items included Western and Levantine dishes. I especially enjoyed the fresh pastries, including the savory ones made of saj bread. They even had Turkish tea!

While an à la carte menu was absent, they had an egg station. Guests could fill out a slip indicating how they would like their eggs cooked along with their preferred toppings. Surprisingly, the breakfast service ends at 10:30 a.m., quite early for a resort.

Al Bustan Palace – Dining

Al Bustan Palace offers several dining options from casual comfort food to more refined dining:

• Al Khiran Kitchen: the resort’s flagship restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. In the evenings, they have themed buffets that rotate nightly with different cuisines such as Asian-Indian, Mediterranean, French, Turkish, Italian and a night dedicated to seafood lovers. The buffet was priced at 27.5 OMR per person at the time of my stay.

• China Mood: open for dinner, serving Cantonese cuisine. It was closed during our visit.

• The Pavilion: a beachfront restaurant primarily serving seafood for dinner. It’s also open for brunch every Friday.

• BLU Pool & Garden Bar: near the outdoor pool, this casual spot serves comfort food.

• La Sirena Beach Lounge: located in the ladies-only beach, serving sandwiches and light bites.

• The Atrium Lobby Lounge: offers snacks, desserts, and an afternoon tea experience.

• Al Maha Bar & Lounge: located in the lobby, offers pre-dinner drinks and cocktails.

We had dinner at The Pavilion and secured a table on their beachside patio. Unfortunately, the service did not match the ambiance.  It took a long while before a server took our order, our salad arrived without side plates and we had to repeatedly request napkins and ice for our sparking water because our server was forgetful.

It wasn’t until I provided my candid feedback to a different server that things improved significantly. Our mains then arrived promptly, and I enjoyed a satisfying wagyu burger. We ended the meal with green tea. They brought us a complimentary cheesecake to share and they waived the charges for the tea to make up for the earlier service lapses. While the gesture was appreciated, we chose not to return for the rest of our stay.

Al Bustan Palace – Afternoon Tea

I reserved a table at The Atrium Lobby Lounge to try their Omani Delight Afternoon Tea. It also gave us an excuse to spend time in their stunning atrium lounge. We scanned the QR code to view the menu. It featured a variety of intriguing savory items:

• Zaatar labneh and cucumber in éclair
• Beetroot hummus with turkey ham white bread sandwich
• Grilled vegetables with muhammara wrap
• Sumac flavor chicken in mini brioche bread
• Smoked salmon and cream cheese with dry mint in savory tart

For dessert, it included:

• Pistachio kunafa tiramisu
• Date and cardamon cake
• Omani halwa and Arabic coffee tart
• Pomegranate rose choux

We ordered Moroccan tea with our set and shortly afterward, they brought out a three-tier tray.The bottom tier held scones, the middle displayed desserts and the top was arranged with savory items.

The highlight for me was the pistachio kunafa tiramisu – though it didn’t taste anything like kunafa. I also tried the date cake, but found it was far too sweet. The sandwiches were better than what we experienced at the Waldorf Astoria Kuwait’s Afternoon Tea. While the service was on the slower side, we enjoyed the elegant setting of The Atrium Lobby Lounge.

Ritz Carlton vs. The St. Regis – Muscat, Oman

So how does the Al Bustan Palace Ritz-Carlton compare to the St. Regis Al Mouj Muscat?

Location: The St. Regis is near the airport in a newly developed area. In contrast, the Ritz is closer to tourist sites and therefore convenient for exploring the city. Yet, one downside with the Ritz is that ride share/taxi apps are blocked.

Style: The St. Regis is brand new, sleek and modern. While the Ritz is more traditional and exudes old world luxury. It feels more rooted in Omani culture by showcasing Arabesque architectural elements and design.

Elite Benefits: The St. Regis is generally stronger than a Ritz Carlton in terms of Marriott elite benefits because it offers the breakfast benefit to Platinum status holders or above. Yet, the Al Bustan Palace Ritz is an exception. They recognized my Titanium elite status and offered me complimentary breakfast. They even went further by offering me additional benefits. Both upgraded me to a complimentary suite. Though, the suite we were assigned at the St. Regis was significantly larger than the one at the Ritz.

Breakfast: Both resorts have a strong breakfast offering, with solid variety and quality. I preferred the one at the Ritz because the service was more attentive.

Facilities: Al Bustan Palace Ritz definitely outshines the St. Regis with extensive amenities, such as more swimming pools, a kids splash area and ladies-only beach and pool. Its resort grounds are also significantly more impressive. Conversely, the St. Regis has an awkward layout, requiring guests to walk through The Lounge to access the swimming pool and beach. Yet, the St. Regis excels in its variety of dining options.

Price: During my stay, the cash and points redemption costs were nearly the same at both  properties.

Takeaway

Both the St. Regis Al Mouj and the Al Bustan Palace Ritz-Carlton are impressive resorts. Though, I personally preferred the Ritz. I was struck by the grandeur and old-world opulence of this property, from its impeccably landscaped grounds to its amenities like complimentary afternoon tea, and the ladies-only beach. Its location is also more convenient for exploring Muscat.

The main drawback was the restriction on taxi apps like Otaxi, which can really increase transport costs if you don’t find alternatives. Yet, on the whole, I was satisfied with my stay and would gladly return on my next visit to Muscat.