Muscat is the capital of Oman, a low-rise coastal city of white buildings set between the Gulf of Oman and the rugged Hajar Mountains. Its old harbour district of Mutrah, the vast Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, the Royal Opera House and a string of quiet beaches make it one of the Gulf's most relaxed and culturally rooted capitals.
Accommodation overview
Muscat's accommodation is spread along a coastal strip rather than clustered in one centre. Five-star beach resorts such as Al Bustan Palace, Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah and The Chedi Muscat sit on the shoreline, while Shatti Al Qurum and Qurum hold many upscale and mid-range hotels close to restaurants and the beach. Mutrah and Ruwi offer the cheapest rooms, with Mutrah the better base for the souq and corniche. Al Khuwair, Ghubra and Seeb suit business travellers and early flights. Prices run from roughly OMR 10-45 per night for budget rooms to OMR 75-400+ for luxury resorts, and peak season is October to April.
- Budget
- OMR 10-45/night (approx $26-117) for basic hotels in Ruwi, Mutrah and Al Khuwair
- Mid-range
- OMR 30-110/night (approx $78-286) for 3-4 star hotels in Al Khuwair, Ghubra, Seeb and Qurum
- Luxury
- OMR 75-400+/night (approx $195-1040+) for five-star beach resorts and city hotels
- Where to stay
- Shatti Al Qurum or Qurum for beach and restaurants; Mutrah for souq and corniche on a budget; Al Mouj for marina and golf; Seeb or Airport Heights for early flights
Hotels by budget
Find accommodation that fits your travel budget.
Budget-friendly
Qurum Beach Hotel
Three-star hotel in Qurum Heights, a short drive from Qurum Beach and the Qurum commercial area.
Check rates on Booking.comRamee Guestline Hotel Qurum
Three-star hotel in Qurum Heights, with simple rooms near the beach and restaurants.
Check rates on Booking.comIbis Muscat
Compact economy hotel in Al Khuwair close to restaurants and shops, popular with business travellers on a budget.
Check rates on Booking.comMuscat Holiday Hotel
Budget hotel in Al Khuwair near cafes and restaurants, with simple rooms and an easy taxi link to the rest of Muscat.
Check rates on Booking.comSamara Hotel
Budget hotel in Al Khuwair with simple air-conditioned rooms, close to restaurants and shops.
Check rates on Booking.comSafeer International Hotel
Long-established budget hotel in Al Khuwair near Sultan Qaboos Street.
Check rates on Booking.comAl Bahjah Hotel
Budget hotel in Ghubra within reach of the Grand Mosque and Muscat Grand Mall.
Check rates on Booking.comHaffa House Hotel
Budget hotel on Al Fahidi Street in Ruwi, walking distance from the Ruwi bus station and commercial streets.
Check rates on Booking.comAl Raha Hotel
Basic low-cost hotel in central Ruwi near the bus station and souq streets.
Check rates on Booking.comMutrah Hotel
Old-fashioned budget hotel in Mutrah, a short walk from the Mutrah Souq, the Corniche and the fort; popular with backpackers.
Check rates on Booking.comMid-range
Crowne Plaza Muscat
Hilltop hotel in Qurum Heights with a pool and several restaurants, a short drive from Qurum Beach and the Qurum commercial area.
Check rates on Booking.comSheraton Oman Hotel
Established hotel on the edge of the Ruwi business district, with a pool, gardens and restaurants; a practical base for Ruwi bus terminals and Mutrah.
Check rates on Booking.comRadisson Blu Hotel Muscat
Business hotel in Al Khuwair near Sultan Qaboos Street and ministry offices, with a pool, gym and restaurants; about 15 minutes by car from the airport.
Check rates on Booking.comRoyal Tulip Muscat
Hotel in Ghubra within reach of the Grand Mosque and Muscat Grand Mall, with a pool area and restaurants.
Check rates on Booking.comHilton Garden Inn Muscat Al Khuwair
Modern four-star hotel in Al Khuwair close to restaurants and shops, with a pool, gym and breakfast buffet.
Check rates on Booking.comBest Western Premier Muscat
Mid-range hotel in Al Khuwair with a restaurant and fitness area, well placed for Qurum and the Grand Mosque.
Check rates on Booking.comRamada by Wyndham Qurum Beach
Beach-area hotel in the Qurum/Sarooj district, within walking range of the Qurum shoreline, cafes and restaurants.
Check rates on Booking.comRamada Encore by Wyndham Muscat Al Ghubra
Value-oriented hotel in Ghubra with a pool and restaurant, close to Muscat Grand Mall and the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque.
Check rates on Booking.comGolden Tulip Seeb
Mid-range hotel near Muscat International Airport, suited to arrivals and departures and to travellers heading to Seeb or Nizwa.
Check rates on Booking.comHoliday Inn Muscat Al Seeb
Hotel in Seeb with a pool and restaurant, about 10 minutes from the airport, suitable for onward travel towards Barka and Sohar.
Check rates on Booking.comHormuz Grand Muscat
Four-star hotel on Airport Street a few minutes from the terminal, with a pool and restaurants.
Check rates on Booking.comMuscat Gate Hotel
Business-oriented hotel on the Ghala side of the Muscat Expressway, between the airport and central Muscat.
Check rates on Booking.comCentara Muscat Hotel
Thai-brand hotel in Al Azaiba between Seeb and Qurum, with a pool and restaurants, convenient for Al Mouj and the airport.
Check rates on Booking.comPlatinum Hotel Muscat
Mid-priced hotel in Al Khuwair near restaurants and shops, a short taxi ride from Qurum.
Check rates on Booking.comAl Falaj Hotel
Long-running hotel on the edge of Ruwi, with a pool and restaurant, convenient for the Ruwi bus terminals.
Check rates on Booking.comLuxury
Al Bustan Palace, A Ritz-Carlton Hotel
Palace-style beach resort on a private bay at the foot of the Hajar mountains, south of Old Muscat. Large gardens, a long private beach, several restaurants and a spa; about 25 minutes by taxi from Muscat International Airport.
Check rates on Booking.comShangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa
Three-hotel resort (Al Waha, Al Husn and Al Bandar) spread over a coastal estate with private beaches, a spa and multiple restaurants, about 30 minutes from the airport by road.
Check rates on Booking.comThe Chedi Muscat
Minimalist Asian-influenced beachfront hotel in Ghubra, known for its long lagoon-style pools, private beach, spa and the fine-dining restaurant The Restaurant.
Check rates on Booking.comGrand Hyatt Muscat
Large Omani-styled five-star hotel in Shatti Al Qurum near the Royal Opera House, with a pool, spa, several restaurants and walking access to the beach area.
Check rates on Booking.comInterContinental Muscat
Beachside five-star hotel in Shatti Al Qurum with a pool, private beach access, spa and a range of restaurants; close to the Royal Opera House and Qurum diplomatic area.
Check rates on Booking.comW Muscat
Contemporary design hotel in Shatti Al Qurum with a beach club-style pool area, a steakhouse restaurant (Char) and a lively bar scene.
Check rates on Booking.comKempinski Hotel Muscat
Resort hotel inside The Wave, Muscat, with sea views, a pool and spa, positioned next to the Al Mouj marina, golf course and promenade restaurants.
Check rates on Booking.comJW Marriott Hotel Muscat
Five-star hotel on the Airport Road next to the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre, with a pool, spa and several restaurants; convenient for business stays and early flights.
Check rates on Booking.comBest neighborhoods to stay
Choose your base based on your interests and travel style.
City Center
The heart of Muscat with easy access to main attractions, restaurants, and transportation.
Best for: First-time visitors, short stays
Old Town
Traditional architecture and local character. Walking distance to historical sites and authentic dining.
Best for: Culture enthusiasts, photographers
Our top picks
Handpicked recommendations for every type of traveler.
Al Bustan Palace, A Ritz-Carlton Hotel
Palace-style beach resort on a private bay at the foot of the Hajar mountains, south of Old Muscat. Large gardens, a long private beach, several restaurants and a spa; about 25 minutes by taxi from Muscat International Airport.
Check rates on Booking.comShangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa
Three-hotel resort (Al Waha, Al Husn and Al Bandar) spread over a coastal estate with private beaches, a spa and multiple restaurants, about 30 minutes from the airport by road.
Check rates on Booking.comThe Chedi Muscat
Minimalist Asian-influenced beachfront hotel in Ghubra, known for its long lagoon-style pools, private beach, spa and the fine-dining restaurant The Restaurant.
Check rates on Booking.comGrand Hyatt Muscat
Large Omani-styled five-star hotel in Shatti Al Qurum near the Royal Opera House, with a pool, spa, several restaurants and walking access to the beach area.
Check rates on Booking.comInterContinental Muscat
Beachside five-star hotel in Shatti Al Qurum with a pool, private beach access, spa and a range of restaurants; close to the Royal Opera House and Qurum diplomatic area.
Check rates on Booking.comW Muscat
Contemporary design hotel in Shatti Al Qurum with a beach club-style pool area, a steakhouse restaurant (Char) and a lively bar scene.
Check rates on Booking.comBooking tips
Get the best deals and avoid common mistakes.
Muscat has no metro or passenger rail, so choose a hotel by car or taxi access; the Mwasalat bus app and the OTaxi app cover most districts
Peak season runs October to April; book five-star beach resorts 2-3 months ahead for December and February school holidays
Summer (June-September) brings 40C+ heat and the best rates: five-star hotels often drop 30-50 percent
Mutrah and Ruwi hotels are old and basic; check recent reviews on Booking.com or Google Maps before paying, and confirm the room has working air conditioning
Rates are usually subject to a combined service charge and tourism tax of roughly 17 percent; confirm whether the quoted price is net
Airport hotels in Seeb and Airport Heights are 5-15 minutes from the terminal; central Qurum is 25-30 minutes
All prices are approximate guides converted at the pegged rate of 1 USD = 0.3845 OMR; verify live rates on the hotel's own website or Booking.com
Alternative accommodations
Beyond traditional hotels, consider these options.
Guesthouses
Family-run guesthouses offer authentic local experiences and often include home-cooked meals. Great for cultural immersion.
Serviced apartments
Ideal for longer stays or families. Kitchen facilities help save money and provide flexibility.
Hostels
Budget-friendly option for solo travelers. Dorms and private rooms available with social common areas.