Name: Al Bustan Palace Ritz-Carlton
Address: Muscat, OM
Price range: From $343

Al Bustan Palace Ritz-Carlton, MuscatAl Bustan Palace Ritz-Carlton in Muscat, Oman has a corrected score of 3.9 ± 0.2 (fair evidence, 2 of 4 platforms), ranked 20 of 62 hotels we score in Muscat. Its platform ratings, normalised to 0-5, average 4.1 before correction: Booking.com 4.2, Tripadvisor 4.1. Rooms from about $343 a night (cached, not a live quote).Al Bustan Palace, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel, is a five-star resort located on 200 acres of gardens between Muscat and Ruwi. The property features a one-kilometre private beachfront and five outdoor swimming pools, including an Olympic-sized option. Guests stay in 250 renovated rooms and suites that offer views of the Sea of Oman, the mountains, or the gardens. The architecture incorporates Islamic design elements and includes facilities such as a spa, sauna, and a gym. It suits travellers seeking a large-scale resort with extensive grounds and direct beach access. Some guests may find the beach area lacks distinction compared to the rest of the property.What stands out

Extensive private beachfront

Five outdoor swimming pools

Large landscaped gardens

Islamic architectural design

Watch out for

Average beach quality

Better-scored in Muscat

Tivoli La Vie Muscat Hotel, Muscat: 4.3 ± 0.4 (thin evidence, 1 of 4 platforms), from $315 a night. Tivoli La Vie Muscat Hotel & Residences sits in Muscat overlooking the La Vie Golf Course.

Hotel Indigo Jabal Akhdar Resort Spa, Muscat: 4.3 ± 0.2 (fair evidence, 2 of 4 platforms), from $312 a night. Situated on the Sayq Plateau within the Hajar Mountains, Hotel Indigo Jabal Akhdar Resort Spa sits at an altitude of 2,000 metres.

Jumeirah Muscat Bay, Muscat: 4.2 ± 0.2 (fair evidence, 2 of 4 platforms), from $367 a night. Jumeirah Muscat Bay is a beachfront resort situated in Muscat Bay, positioned between the Al Hajar mountains and the Arabian Sea.