Everything you need to know about Oman

The Sultanate of Oman is a mesmerising concept.

A country of ancient traditions and evocative beauty, where even the most cursory journey takes in the gamut of infinite deserts, dramatic coastline and fascinating mountain micro climates. Here, the reasons you should be more than curious about Oman.

Where on Earth is it?

On the Arabian Peninsula, bordered by United Arab Emirates (it’s around an hour’s flight time from Abu Dhabi or Dubai), with Saudi Arabia to the west and Yemen to the southern border.

A bit of background

In a region where the grand gesture rules, Oman is delightfully understated in its appeal. Its rich history dates back to ancient times, but it truly prospered as a trading post for frankincense, the aromatic resin used for incense and perfumes.

Oman’s storied seafaring roots (the Sinbad the Sailor legend apparently took root in the port city of Sohar, once the capital of the country) led to it becoming a major trade and commerce hub, eventually colonising Zanzibar in East Africa from where it exported pearls, ambergris, dates, copper and cloves to the rest of the world.

Over the years the Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, Portuguese and Ottomans have all sought to dominate Oman in order to make the most of its strategic position.

The evocative beauty of Oman’s desert landscape.

Why you need to know about it

Oman is made up of historic, low-rise cities, beautiful stretches of desert, atmospheric seaports, pristine beaches and jutting dramatic mountain regions. Traversing the country from top to bottom, from the arid expanses of The Musandam (a mountainous peninsula on the Straits of Hormuz that is actually detached from the rest of the country, separated by the United Arab Emirates) in the north to the relaxed coastal city of Salalah, confirms its staggering diversity of landscape.

Another lure is the Omani people; with obvious pride in their collective history and culture, they are gracious and welcoming hosts. Oman is also an incredibly safe country to visit and travel in, having been listed as the 4^th safest country in the world by the World Economic Forum.

How to approach it

Plan a journey that passes over the almost lunar landscape of the Al Hajar Mountains, weaving through the evocative Empty Quarter, and hugging rugged coastal cliffs that give way to golden-sand beaches.

At almost any time of the year you can also witness one of the annual harvests that take place, when roses, pomegranates and apricots fill the air of The Green Mountain (Al Jabal Al Akhdar) with fragrance and colour.

A village clings to the edge of a stunning mountain range, surrounded by verdant date palms.

What to do when you get there

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Boating

Its maritime history and long stretches of coastline afford ample opportunity for taking to the water, on everything from kayaks to traditional dhow. Some villages, like Kumzar in the far north, can only be reached by boat.

Scuba diving

The diving here is some of the best in the region, with ample sea life and diverse underwater terrain, from caves to coral reefs. Try sites in or near Muscat including Al Khayran, Al Fahil Island, Dimaniyat Islands, Al Makbara Bay, and Al Jissah Beach. April to July is the optimum diving time, but conditions are usually good all year round.

Ancient sites

Such a patterned history means that Oman is littered with archaeological sites and ruins to explore; put the Bat Tombs in Bat, Al Khutum and Al Ayn in A’Dhahirah, Al Manzafah in Wilayt Ibra in A’Sharqiyah, the ancient port of Al Balid City in Dhofar, and the Hasat Bin Salt inscriptions that date back to the dawn of history in Wilayt Al Hamra on your list.

Turtle watching

Oman has five of the seven species of sea turtles in the world; each year thousands of turtles migrate from the Arabian Gulf, the Red Sea and Somalia and lay their eggs at beach throughout the country.

Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

1. Easy access to good food

meals from Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 — Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.

In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.

It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

2. Better sleep options

Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room — Sleep deeply with Novotel.

There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.

3. More ways to move

woman hiking around queenstown new zealand — Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.

Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

4. Better connections

Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.

A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.

5. Location is everything

Surin Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thaiföld — Explore Phuket’s gorgeous beaches. (Credit: Bence Biczo)

Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

Discover stays to inspire your everyday at novotel.accor.com.