Radisson SAS Hotel, Oman - Cranley Report

The Cranley Report®: Radisson SAS Hotel

Radisson SAS Hotel, Oman

Hotel Address

Al Khuleiah Street
P.O. Box 939
Muscat, 133
Sultanate Of Oman

Cranley Rating

Radisson SAS Hotel Muscat

Photo 1 of 23. Click to enlarge

Hotel Summary

Category

Hotel

Hotel Opened	1999
Refurbishment	On-going maintenance.

Cranley Summary

The Radisson SAS is located in the commercial and diplomatic area of Muscat city and caters for both tourists and business travellers. The hotel provides three types of room, Standard, Business Class and One Bedroom Suites with all rooms have complimentary broadband internet access. For dining there are two restaurants, Olivos coffee shop and Al Tajin grill which specialises in steaks and seafood. There are two bars in the hotel both of which provide nightly entertainment, one having a live band and the other having a jazz pianist. For leisure there is an outdoor swimming pool which has a small children's pool attached. Guests also have the use of a dedicated fitness centre with a fully equipped gym, sauna and steam rooms. Business travellers are also catered for with a modern business centre which also provides complimentary internet access and has other services including photocopying, printers and a courier service.

Hotel Location & Layout

Location Description

The Radisson SAS hotel is located in Al Khuwair which is the business and diplomatic area of Muscat City. Its position gives easy access to the city and is only a 12 to 15 minute drive from the airport. The hotel stands in its own grounds with an outside pool and has impressive views of the nearby Al Hajar Mountains. Nearby in the city there are numerous traditional shops and large modern shopping malls. Other nearby places of interest include the Fort at Mirani and The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque.

Airports
Distance	20 km
Airport Transfers	Muscat

Cities and Sights
Distance	4 km
City/Sight Transfers	Taxi Complimentary shuttle bus to the Muttrah Souk that runs every day except Friday and departs at 10.00 and returns at 17.00

Layout Description

The Radisson SAS is modern city centre hotel arranged over seven floors with its own grounds and an outdoor swimming pool. On entry to the hotel the reception and concierge desks are on the right side of a large open plan lobby. To the right is a corridor leading to the business centre, Olivos coffee shop and a terrace overlooking the pool. To the left of the lobby are the Al Tajin Grill and the Coral Bar. Downstairs on the lower ground level are the gym, sauna and steam rooms as well as the Cellar Bar which has a separate entrance from the side of the hotel.

Lobby & Guest Relations

Open Hours	24 Hours
Languages Spoken	English, Arabic, Hindi, Russian.
Payment Methods	Major credit cards
Foreign Exchange	Major currencies
Taxis Arranged	Called on request off the street.
Tours Arranged	A range of tours can be arranged through the concierge and include Dolphin watching and snorkelling, canyon crossing by wirers, snorkelling, geology tour of the Hajar mountains, sunset boat trip, Muscat City tour, a two day wadi/bedouin and turtles trip, overnight bedouin desert trip, overnight turtle beach trip, sea kayaking, bird watching, game fishing and Nizwa City tour.

Guest Relations	Standard
Concierge Services	Standard
Medical Facilities	Doctor on call 24 hours with thirty minutes notice.
Parking	Complimentary parking to the front and rear of the hotel

Cranley Comment

The lobby runs from the front to the rear of the hotel and has large windows allowing natural light to enter at both ends of the lobby. On entry from the front of the hotel the reception and concierge desks are on the right hand side. After these desks is a corridor leading to the lifts, business centre and Olivos coffee shop. To the left of the lobby are the entrances to the Coral Bar and Al Tajin Restaurant. The lobby is a large open area with numerous sofas, chairs and coffee tables and is dominated by four central marble pillars.

Shops & Amenities

Description

The hotel has a small shop in the health centre selling swimwear and beach attire.

Cranley Comment

The hotel does not have any major retail outlets however the City Plaza and modern shopping malls are all within 5 kilometres. The hotel also offers a complimentary daily (except Friday) shuttle bus to Muttrah Souk which is 35 kilometres away. The bus departs at 10.00 and returns at 17.00.

Rooms, Suites & Villas

Number of Floors	6
Total Rooms	156
Elevators	2
Rooms per Elevator	78
Total Staff	161
Staff per Room	1

Check-in Time	14.00
Check-out Time	12.00
Late Checkout	Available on request
Smoking Rooms	One floor designated as non-smoking with 57 rooms in total being non-smoking.
Room Service	24 Hours
Laundry Service	Items collected before 09.00 are returned after 18.30 the same day. 3 hour Express service between 09.00 and 22.00 is available at an extra charge.

Club or Executive Facilities

None

Cranley Comment

The Radisson SAS has three room types available, Standard, Business Class and Suites. All rooms have modern furnishings and decor and are fully air-conditioned with additional amenities including a safe and trouser press. Business Class rooms and Suites benefit from upgraded facilities including bathrobes and slippers and a Nespresso coffee making machine.

Type of Room, Views & Facilities

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Standard Room	127	City	Satellite television Individually controlled air conditioning Mini-safe Mini-bar Direct dial telephone Complimentary high speed internet access Writing desk and chair Armchair and coffee table Combined bath and shower Bidet Trouser press Fruit bowl	3 adults	30

Cranley Comment

Standard Rooms have views of the city and come with a king size bed, satellite television, writing desk and chair, armchair and coffee table. The decor is modern with white walls, light coloured wood furniture and carpeted floors and with the bathrooms having white tiling and come with a combined bath and shower and a bidet. The rooms benefit from extra amenities such as complimentary fruit bowl, trouser press and high speed internet access.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Business Class Room	23	19 Mountain 4 City	As per the Standard Room plus Additional sofa and chair Nespresso coffee machine Upgraded toiletries in bathroom.	3 adults	30 to 62

Cranley Comment

The Business Class Room have decor and furnishings similar to the Standard Rooms with white walls, light coloured wood furniture and carpeted floors and with the bathrooms having white tiling and come with a combined bath and shower and a bidet. The principle benefit of these rooms is that they come with a much larger living area although there are a small number that are the same size as the Standard Room. The majority of these rooms also have views of the Al Hajar mountains. Business class rooms also benefit from the luxury toiletries in the bathroom and a nespresso coffee making machine.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Suite	6	City	As per the Business Class Room plus Separate lounge with: Satellite television Sofa Armchair Coffee table	3 adults	62

Cranley Comment

The Suites have the same style of decoration and furniture as the Business Class Room with modern white walls, light coloured wood furniture and carpeted floors and with the bathrooms having white tiling and come with a combined bath and shower and a bidet. The Suite benefits from a larger floor area which is utilised for a separate lounge with additional seating and coffee table, a work desk and extra television. All Suites have views of the city.

Restaurants & Cafés

Number of Restaurants

Restaurant Comments

The Radisson SAS offers guests two dining options. The main area for breakfast, lunch and dinner is Olivos Coffee Shop which is located to the right of the lobby and has an outside terrace overlooking the swimming pool. In the evenings the Al Tajin Grill located to the left of the lobby and opposite the Coral Bar is open for dinner and specialises in steaks and seafood. Both restaurants have non-smoking tables available.

Al Tajin Grill

Restaurant Type	Steak and Seafood
Restaurant Capacity	Total 52, All inside.
Opening Times	18.00 to 00.00
Dress Codes	Smart casual

Air-Conditioning	Yes
Smoking Policy	Non-smoking tables available
Children’s Facilities	None
Breakfast Options	N/A

Cranley Comment

The Al Tajin Grill is a formal restaurant, furnished in traditional Omani style. It specialises in Steaks and Seafood and is a previous winner of the Best Steakhouse in Oman award from Oman2Day Magazine. Specialities of the restaurant include the Omani Lobster and the Australian Black Angus Beef Tenderloin. The Al Tajin is very popular with the residents of Muscat so booking is advisable.

Olivos Coffee Shop

Restaurant Type	International restaurant
Restaurant Capacity	Total 100, 70 Inside, 30 Outside
Opening Times	06.30 to 00.00
Dress Codes	Smart Casual

Air-Conditioning	Yes
Smoking Policy	Non-smoking tables available
Children’s Facilities	None
Breakfast Options	Full buffet breakfast with Continental, International and Arabic options and a “Grab and Run” breakfast service.

Cranley Comment

Olivos Coffee Shop is the hotel's main restaurant for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It is decorated in a modern Mediterranean style and has additional seating on a shaded terrace overlooking the swimming pool. It is open all day and guests can chose from several breakfast options including a “Grab and Run” service and a full International menu including snacks, sandwiches and main meals. In the evenings there is also the option of an all you can eat Seafood Buffet.

Bars

Number of Bars	3
Bar Comments

The Radisson SAS has three bars for guests to enjoy. On the ground floor opposite the Al Tajin Restaurant is the Coral Bar. On the lower ground floor is the Cellar which is a sports bar. Both bars have entertainment in the evenings and the Cellar has a separate entrance outside the rear of the hotel. There is also a small pool side bar which serves soft drinks and snacks during the day.

The Coral Bar

Bar Type	Jazz Bar
Bar Capacity	Total 30
Opening Times	Saturday to Thursday 12.00 to 15.00 and 18.00 to 01.00 Friday's 14.00 to 01.00
Dress Codes	Smart casual

Air-Conditioning	Yes
Smoking Policy	No non-smoking tables
Admissions Policy	Over 21's only.

Cranley Comment

The Coral Bar has an aquatic theme which celebrates Oman's beautiful coastline. It has bar stools arranged around a horseshoe shaped bar and additional chairs and tables for 30 guests as well as standing areas. The Coral Bar has entertainment each evening with a live Jazz pianist and singer. There are also happy hours available in the afternoon and early evenings.

The Cellar

Bar Type	Sports Bar
Bar Capacity	Total 200 with 60 seated.
Opening Times	Saturday to Thursday 18.00 to 03.00 Friday's 18.00 to 02.00
Dress Codes	Smart casual

Air-Conditioning	Yes
Smoking Policy	No non-smoking tables.
Admissions Policy	Over 21's only.