Friday 19 / April / 2024
Sometimes you just need a good old-fashioned day at the beach — sand between your toes, sun on your face, beach blankets, and a picnic basket. But, if you’re anything like me, sometimes you need something even more relaxing: A beach day where all you have to do is show up. I love the luxury beach day-pass concept in which everything, from the towels to the coolers to the perfectly positioned umbrellas, are already waiting for you. The newest addition to Muscat’s day-pass lineup is the venerable Al Bustan Palace, a property that has the longest (and one of the loveliest) private beaches in the country. I went to check it out with my family, and the eight hours I spent there felt like a full-on vacation. We parked in the large lot to the side of the hotel and checked in at the recreation centre, where they told us about the day’s scheduled activities (yoga, tennis, cardio, and some kid’s games on that particular morning). They offered to sign us up for a class (complimentary with the day pass), but with my eyes fixed on the pristine beach, I lazily declined and we headed for the watersports complex to see what was on offer there. I was tempted by the complimentary kayaks and snorkelling equipment, and I considered a OMR5 sailing lesson, but the lounges were still calling my name, so instead we made a bee-line for the perfectly arranged, umbrella-shaded chaises. Find Out About The Best Places For Ocean Swimming In Muscat There were plenty of beachfront chairs available, thanks to the fact that the resort passes are by reservation only, with only a limited number on offer each week to ensure the facilities are never overly crowded. One thing I particularly love about the Bustan beach is that the lounges are set on soft, perfectly manicured grass just in front of the sandy beach, making for a much less messy, sand-covered beach bag at the end of the day. No sooner had I set down my bag, a cabana steward appeared with fresh towels and a coolbox full of water. Now, that’s what I’m talking about, I thought. I slipped my shades on and settled in, letting the gentle breeze and soothing sounds of the crashing waves lull me to sleep. I woke up a little while later and decided to go for a swim to cool off. (The day-pass provides access to the pools and the beach). After sun-drying, it was time for lunch. The pass provides a 10% discount on the total bill from any of the hotel’s fabulous drinking and dining venues. We weren’t dressed for fine dining at China Mood, so we opted for a casual lunch of burgers and salad at BLU Bar by the pool. The restaurant will deliver your order beachside at your lounge chair as a wooden boxed lunch, but I thought better to change the scenery for a bit. So we took a shaded table overlooking the garden. After our meal, we ordered iced coffees for “delivery” and headed back to our little oasis. We spent the afternoon sipping and tanning and swimming, taking full advantage of the butler-style towel and beverage service. When sun began to dip and we decided it was time to head home, there were no piles of folding chairs and umbrellas for us to carry to the car, no picnic trash to pack out, there weren’t even sandy towels for us to take home and wash. We simply grabbed our blessedly sand-free beach bags, slipped our shades back in their cases, and walked hand-in-hand through the palm-lined garden back to our car feeling refreshed, rested, and ready to conquer the coming week. THE DETAILS What: The Al Bustan Palace, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel Resort Pass When: Anytime, but by reservation only Rate: OMR20 per adult, OMR10 per child age 6 to 12, free for kids under 6 years-old Contact: +968 2479 9666 ext. 3008 Includes: • Free parking • Access to Private Beach • Access to pool • Beach lounges • Beachside towel and water service • Non-motorised water recreation equipment • Hotel fitness activities • Access to Fitness Centre • 10% discount on total bill at any dining establishment onsite Map
