Al Bustan Palace

Oman

The Sultanate of Oman, situated between India and Africa, is a land of mountains, sand filled deserts and lush palm groves. Known as the Kingdom of Magan throughout antiquity, Oman is located on the southernmost end of the Arabian Peninsula opening onto the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman, facing Iran. Since the 8th century, the Sultanate has been the seat of Ibadism, a minority branch of Islam originally from Mesopotamia which advocates tolerance towards the numerous Christians and Hindus living in the country. Oman, the legendary land of Sinbad the Sailor and Ubar, the mythical city of A Thousand and One Nights, was also home to the palace of the Queen of Sheba. Its location at the crossroads of maritime routes between Africa and Asia made it an important cosmopolitan venue, adding to the rich historical and architectural heritage primarily influenced by the Portuguese and the Persians. All throughout the country, one can admire the numerous forts and castles which, like the one in Jabrin near Nizwa, are veritable palaces. Between Mascate, the capital, and Nizwa, there are at least twenty fortresses perched atop the cliffs which blend in perfectly with the surrounding landscape. Although Mascate’s architecture is contemporary, it nevertheless respects traditional forms, the opposite of what one finds in Dubai, Oman’s closest neighbor, where towering skyscrapers and artificial islands abound.

More than a hotel : an icon

Surrounded by rugged mountains of black rock and bordered by the sea, the Al Bustan Palace possesses an ideal location whose exceptional and iconoclastic hexagonal architecture can be seen and admired from afar. Built and opened in 1985 as the seat of the Gulf Cooperation Council, the building has always been used as a prime example of the country’s grandeur and to provide a majestic setting for the Sultan’s invited guests. The total renovation that took place in 2008 added a more enchanting and magical aspect to the lobby. The addition of gold furnishings, an impressive chandelier and a greater emphasis on space combine to make the entrance a veritable invitation to travel. The fountain in the center perfectly symbolizes the trademark of the hotel by creating a feeling of peace and freshness. It’s the first of many souvenirs in this timeless venue. It is also the departure point for discovering the hotel and its 250 rooms and suites. The modern and cozy style enables guests to feel relaxed while taking advantage of the five star services provided. The suites are in a modern Arab style with an oriental touch. The eight presidential suites are all on the same floor and offer guests comfort, relaxation and exoticism in an unforgettable setting.  The hotel has three restaurants and two bars in which time truly stands still, invoking the sensations linked to the vagabond spirit. The greatest feature of the Al Bustan however, is undeniably the exterior furnishings. On leaving the building, we discover 80 hectares of palm trees and greenery facing a beach whose dimensions are the stuff that dreams are made of: an entire kilometer of fine sand making it one of the largest beaches in the Sultanate. In addition, the hotel boasts a fifty meter infinity swimming pool plus four other pools! In short, the Al Bustan has truly earned its reputation as the pearl of Mascate. Once outdoors, guests can once again admire the building’s architecture whose dizzying shape creates an impression of diving into a world of infinite possibilities.

The hotel welcomes all its guests in traditional style with an Omani coffee. A prestigious member of the staff is assigned this pleasant task: Mohammed Al Wahaibi who worked on the hotel’s construction and has been employed here since it opened. A special corner has been designed for the occasion with cushions and an incense burner. Welcome to the land of Sinbad the Sailor…welcome to Oman!