Great location, pleasant decor – we went just after they opened and so was not as good as it will be soon.

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The company are into nature and cultural type holidays, we did a trip down the coast to Salalah in April. You need to except that there are no five-star hotels on the trip, only in the big towns, so we camped sometimes. The Omani guide was great, he cooked great meals and was a safe driver. We ate in some local restaurants and visited a true bedu family. The beaches were endless and had to dip our toes in on many an occasion.

When we arrived into Salalah it was a surprise to feel a difference in culture, it had a tropical African feel with some Yemen style thrown in. We liked it because it's still real.

www.holiday-in-oman.com, tel 00 968 24485663
Near to Radisson hotel in Al khwuair

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A great destination for families, Muscat has everything and cheap at that. My tip is to make sure you leave your luxury hotel with private beach etc, to eat. Yes, you won't be able to drink alcohol in Omani restaurants but the selection of Arab food, seafood (lobster for £5 a head), Indian food and Persian (among others) are a delight, obscenely cheap compared with hotel fare, and served by friendly locals. The Mermaid on the beach just along from the Hyatt is a particular gem.

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A newly established British-run ground operator in tourism.

We went on their glass bottom boat out to the Islands off Muscat for snorkelling.

It was awesome. The sea was so clear, there were dolphins everywhere and whales too.

The staff were really friendly and professional, and we even got snacks as we sailed!!!!

Perfect day on the Arabian Ocean.

www.gulfleisure.com

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Ok, so their desert tour is touristy, and cliche, but we thoroughly enjoyed it -- for $145 for two (including dinner), it was a value. The staff is outgoing, the dune driving somewhat scary, and the food is (suprisingly) good. Full description and photos at:

www.travelmusings.net

No website, but your concierge can book it for you.

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This is where the cool kids stay! Sleek, sexy, modern. I only had a drink here, but fell in love with the place. Beautiful pools (one for adults, one for kids), a spectacular restaurant, etc., etc.

Full description and pictures at www.travelmusings.net

www.ghmhotels.com/hotels/hotel_home.asp?hotelid=13&section=home

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The festival takes place for about a month in January and February. There are lots of different festival events around the city but the best place to head is the Al Qurum National Park where the main events take place. It's a great place see local musicians, dancers and demonstrations of local culture. It's also a great place to see the local people letting their hair down.

www.muscat-festival.com/english/index.html

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This large mosque, completed in 2001, is a fabulous, stunning building. Non-Muslim visitors are allowed in between 8am-11am on any day except Friday and certain religious holidays. The earlier you go the better; it deserves to be savoured over a few hours. You'll feel slightly nervous standing under the chandelier in the men's prayer hall as it is huge!

All the taxi drivers will know

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You need to get up early, but it's well worth it. Pods of dolphins congregate off the coast of Muscat, and the boats follow them for a good hour or so. The trips also go right around the bay, giving spectacular views of the coastline. If you're of a strong-ish constitution, you might want to investigate the nearby fish market, where local fisherman bring in their catches, including leopard sharks and reef sharks.

Zahara Tours will arrange boat tours and trips around the local markets;
www.zubairtours.com/

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