The W Hotel in Muscat!
After our road trip through Oman, we wanted to close it off with a once-in-a-lifetime experience: spending a night at the W Hotel in Muscat.
I’m actually more of a camping guy, and I don’t care too much about hotels (you’re out exploring anyway!) But we wanted to go for some true relaxation after our trip to Oman.
I’ll just cut to the chase: is it worth it? yes it’s worth it! After spending the night at over 600 hotels, it’s in my top 3 hotels I’ve ever stayed at in the world.
In this review, I’ll share all my experiences of our stay at the W Hotel in Oman.
👉 W Hotel Oman: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ / 9.0 on Booking.com
In short, why you should go for it:
✅ The breakfast on the outdoor terrace is superb
✅ The rooftop pool is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced elsewhere
✅ The hotel is right on the beach
✅ The rooms are uniquely styled
✅ It’s never crowded, even during high season
W Hotel Oman Review
Let’s dive into why this hotel in Muscat is totally worth it.
First Impressions & Arrival
Driving up to the hotel, you’ll see an impressive entrance that sets the tone right away. It’s a different hotel from any other.
Our 4×4 covered in sand stood out a bit in contrast to the expensive cars!
Quick spec overview
- Location: Shatti Al Qurum, Muscat
- Breakfast included? Yes, amazing
- Check-out time: 12 pm (I prefer this so much more than check-out times at 10 or 11!)
- Spa or Gym access? Yes
- Parking situation: Free, spacious and easy to find
Inside the Room: Bold, Spacey Luxury
In my life as a DJ, I’ve spent quite a bit of time in hotels and seen loads of hotel rooms. Most hotels tend to be very similar and have this kind of old, a bit dusty interior. The W Hotel does not. It’s a totally different vibe than any other hotel room I’ve ever been.
The room’s interior certainly isn’t how I would style my own house! But it’s a really cool, spacey vibe that just feels special and luxurious and takes your mind off your daily life, if that makes sense.
Pool Vibes at the WET Deck
At the heart of the hotel, there is a huge pool, which looks more like a resort than just a pool. During our time there, there was plenty of space and beds to chill. There was no need to rush to a sunbed! Waiters were walking around bringing drinks,
In the pool, occasionally, activities were being held, such as aqua aerobics or a game. An instructor would pump up the crowd through a microphone. The music was loud but nothing too crazy, and the activities didn’t take long.
The Rooftop: Drinks, Views & Smoothie Accidents
Now this was the cherry on the top (hotel?). We actually had a drink here before we embarked on our roadtrip because we saw photos online and wanted to check it out.
Quick side note, when we had a drink there, one of the servers accidentally spilled a green smoothie over my wife’s clothes, they apologized and we got free drinks, no biggie, but even though after this little incident, this place just stuck with us the entire trip, which is what made us decide to book a night at the W.
After our drink, we asked downstairs at the lobby what the price was for one night, they said 440 dollars, ouch! We said, well, we’ll think about it, and left. After our trip, we came back, and the staff member remembered us! He said, Welcome back, excellent choice. I thought that was quite funny.
The price was much higher because we booked so last-minute. If you book in advance, it will save you a lot, sometimes up to 50% compared to booking the day before.
Back to the terrace, first you have a huge open space on the 6th floor named the Siddharta Lounge by Buddha-Bar, when you walk further there is a bar with a long pool in front of it on the edge of the building. It’s truly spectacular. We stayed here for hours, sipping on drinks.
During our time there, in high season in February, it was really quiet. I think we saw about 10 other visitors at the rooftop bar! There was no loud music, only relaxing vibes.
Beach Access & Local Vibes
After some roof pool-relaxing, we went for a stroll on the Shatti Al Qurum Beach. At the back of the hotel, there is an exit that you can easily reach. In all honesty, it’s more of a park than a real beach; it’s not a super white Caribbean kind of beach.
But what I liked about it was the mixed crowd enjoying the nice weather. People were playing badminton, volleyball, and all kinds of games. It was a very lively area with a beautiful sunset.
Breakfast was, well… spectacular again. Anything you could think of was there, from fresh pastries and fruit to live cooking stations with eggs, pancakes, and local Omani dishes.
What I especially loved was the option to sit outside. There’s just something about sipping your coffee in the warm morning sun, palm trees around you, and a gentle sea breeze. It made the whole thing feel even more like a vacation. I could easily hang out there for an hour enjoying the vibe.
The outdoor space you see here below was reserved for breakfast in the morning.
Location
We mostly stayed inside the hotel/resort area, except for a stroll along the beach, but the location is obviously excellent. It’s within walking distance of the famous opera house, which you should definitely visit, and it was easy to reach by car, and it’s next to the beach.
It’s about an hour’s drive from the Muscat International Airport.
The Downsides
Look, I’m not going to sugarcoat it: it’s expensive, this isn’t a budget option. The interior is super unique and luxurious, but if you prefer a more classic, minimalist vibe, the spacey design might not be your thing.
And as I mentioned, the beach is more of a public park area than a pristine white-sand Jamaican paradise. But for us, after roughing it on our road trip, these weren’t dealbreakers at all. Especially the rooftop area, with its terrace and pool, was worth it; we spent hours there relaxing, drinking cocktails, and enjoying the view.
Is It Worth the Price? Final Thoughts
So, was it worth it? It sure was. When I compare the W to other hotels (we actually had a quick Look at Kempinski) with similar prices or even more expensive for a room, I feel that at the W you get more for your money.
The extravagant interior, beach access, and the epic pool on the 6th floor make it more than worth it.
I wouldn’t stay there an entire week, as there is so much to do and see in Oman.
But, especially after our road trip, where we sometimes didn’t sleep well or couldn’t shower, spending a night at the W was a welcome respite, and we would definitely go there again if we returned to Oman someday.
Summing up, why you should go for it:
✅ The breakfast on the outdoor terrace is superb
✅ The rooftop pool is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced elsewhere
✅ The hotel is right on the beach
✅ The rooms are uniquely styled
✅ It’s never crowded, even during high season
W Hotel Oman F.A.Q.
Is the W Hotel Muscat family-friendly?
Yes, we saw a few families around at the WET deck, though the rooftop bar and pool are more adult-focused.
What’s the vibe like?
Trendy and luxurious, but not snobby. Great for couples, solo travelers, or anyone wanting a break from rugged travel.
Is the hotel beach private?
Not exactly. There’s easy access to Shatti Al Qurum Beach, but it’s a public beach area. Still, it’s super close and perfect for a walk or catching the sunset.
Can you use the rooftop pool if you’re not a guest?
From what I know, the Siddharta Lounge is open to non-guests for food and drinks, but access to the pool is likely reserved for hotel guests. Worth checking ahead if you’re just visiting for the day.
What kind of travelers stay here?
We saw a mix: couples, solo travelers, business people, even a few families. It’s a trendy hotel, but not snobby or overly flashy.
