7 Days of Wellbeing in Muscat, Oman

Oman’s natural splendour combines with heartfelt hospitality and superb amenities at JW Marriott Hotel Muscat – the perfect mix of tranquil retreat and city break. Whether you’re travelling along or with loved ones, JW Marriott Hotel Muscat is a gateway to excellent dining, beautiful locations and invigorating experiences: from basking on a poolside lounger to exploring Muscat’s magnificent souk and museums – and the wild mountains beyond. So breathe deep, stretch out, and feel those shoulders relax.

Day 1: Spread your wings in contemplation

Whether it’s a guided meditation session in the gardens, or simply revelling in the sea views from your suite, wellness at JW Marriott Hotel Muscat comes naturally.

With birdsong on the breeze and a cloudless sky overhead, the scene is set for yoga, mindfulness and meditation. At the hotel's state-of-the-art fitness centre, you can connect with local instructors for personalised yoga, breathwork and training sessions – before heading to the sauna and steam room to unwind even further.

In the spa, ease into holiday mode with a 60-minute signature massage, a soothing blend of time-honoured techniques and restorative essential oils. If you’re travelling with a loved one, couples’ treatments are available, too – alongside facials, scrubs, body wraps, manicures and more.

Day 2: Spread your wings in reflection

The three swimming pools of JW Marriott Hotel Muscat shimmer invitingly beneath the Omani sun – for energising workouts, family playtime and sun-kissed dips.

Surrounded by lush, leafy gardens, the main pool is a tranquil haven: the place to unwind after a busy sightseeing trip, or to linger for a whole blissful day, with food and drinks brought right to your lounger – though poolside restaurant Catch is only a few steps away.

Or, shake up your workout in the hotel’s lap pool, where calorie burning comes with refreshing garden views and cool dappled shade.

For families, the children’s pool offers plenty of space to splash, learn and play, with shallow areas throughout, and lifeguard service for your peace of mind. And with the Family by JW programme, your little explorers can enjoy fun activities, games and entertainment throughout the hotel, as well as menus tailored to younger taste buds.

Day 3: Spread your wings with culinary curiosity

Fine dining or a casual bite? Exotic flavours or a taste of home? Whatever you’re craving, JW Marriott Hotel Muscat presents one of Muscat’s most diverse dining destinations – with five full-service restaurants serving up extraordinary buffets, live stations, à la carte menus and more.

Experience premium flame-grilled steaks and seafood at Pink Salt, sharing platters at Butter Buns (the ideal accompaniment to its arcade games and pool table), and fresh salads and light bites at poolside Catch.

Kitchen 7 puts a world of authentic flavours on your plate: fragrant Indian curries, hot Arabic mezze, Thai noodles, Italian pastas – you’ll find it all here. Or savour hyper-local dishes at JW Market, a café and marketplace filled with fresh produce from nearby farms, as well as the hotel’s own vegetable garden.

For that perfect nightcap, raise a toast at Tonika, an elegant, low-lit lounge, named in honour of its superb gin selection and inventive house-made infusions.

Day 4: Spread your wings to fly high

The Executive Lounge is elevated in every sense of the word: not only for its fine service and high-quality dining, but also its lofty panoramas of Muscat and the mountains beyond. From its terrace you can see the city’s unique skyline, across elegant minarets and low-rise rooftops, to the jagged silhouette of the Al Hajar peaks. There are no skyscrapers in Oman, to avoid imposing on its traditions and natural beauty.

This is an exclusive eyrie in which to unwind with a coffee, socialise over canapés, or simply slip away for some 'me' time. The plush leather sofas, fresh buffets and welcome drinks are akin to a traditional members’ club – and it’s open only to eligible Marriott Bonvoy members.
 
While all of the hotel’s rooms overlook the city and gardens, those on the highest floors offer even more sensational vistas – and with its private terrace, complimentary dining and whirlpool tub for two, the Presidential Suite is the ultimate treat.

Day 5: Spread your wings toward nature

A flash of bright feathers in the treetops. Exotic birdsong you’ve never heard before. Today is the day to seek out Muscat’s colourful birdlife.

JW Marriott Hotel Muscat is surrounded by a protected wildlife habitat, providing a safe haven for countless species: oriental honey-buzzards, Arabian green bee-eaters, white-spectacled bulbuls – to name but a few. Their plumage is just as exotic as their names suggest, so keep your eyes peeled – especially as you sip your morning coffee or early evening sundowner, since birds tend to be most active at dawn and dusk.

Day 6: Spread your wings to explore

Muscat is Old Arabia brought to life, a capital rich in timeless traditions and authentic Middle Eastern heritage, which welcomes inquisitive travellers with open arms.

Venture to the city today, to be humbled by the soaring minarets of Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, get lost in the spice-scented warren of Mutrah Souq, and pore over the intricate jewellery and gleaming antique khanjars (daggers) in the National Museum of Oman.

Modern marvels abound too, such as the Oman royal family’s glittering gold-covered Al Alam Palace, and the millionaires’ yachts on the lively waterfront. To discover it all, stroll along the Corniche: it takes a leisurely two hours, a journey through the beating heart of the city.

Day 7: Spread your wings in wonder

With its elegant date palm trees and flower-filled gardens, JW Marriott Hotel Muscat is surrounded by Oman’s natural beauty – but there’s plenty more to discover nearby.

At Wadi Al Arbeieen, a wild river canyon to the south of the city, you can hike and mountain-bike against a panorama of high, rugged peaks, before cooling off in its crystal-clear freshwater pools. Alternatively, venture into the Wahiba Desert, crossing a golden ocean of dunes by 4x4 vehicle, or look out for dolphins on a sunset cruise off the coast of Muscat.

All of these locations are easily reached from the hotel by car, either on road trips in a rental vehicle, or on guided excursions organised by your concierge. Adventure awaits: let this untamed landscape energise and revive you.

Published: March 15, 2024