Hotels in Oman gear up for staycation during Eid holidays

Muscat: Hotels across Oman are gearing up to cater to guests over the upcoming Eid break, with many citizens and residents eager to book a holiday staycation for themselves and their families.

To keep their staff and customers safe, hotels continue to adopt a number of hygiene measures, including temperature checks, regular sanitisation of the premises, and restricting access to areas that guests and members of the public are currently not permitted to use, such as gyms and swimming pools.

Speaking to Times of Oman, Arup Singh Deo, Director of Operations and Projects, Al Nahda Hotels & Resorts said temperature checks are a regular part of COVID prevention practices at their hotels.

“Besides that, cleaners fog disinfectants in rooms and wipe down tables and chairs within,” he said. “It’s the kind of service we would like to give people who will be staying with us.”

Regarding expected bookings, he pointed out that occasions such as Eid are usually driven by last- minute confirmations. This year, however, over the past few days, the group has already begun seeing increased demand.

“We are delighted to receive bookings during the Eid holidays and strive to create continuous good experiences for the guests,” he said. “While locations and experiences used to be the main deciding factors in a staycation, consumers also want to be reassured that hotels are taking their health and safety seriously.

“With that in mind, it is our aim to ensure that we live up to our promises, by maintaining and enhancing hygiene standards. Though this pandemic has affected all of us, we are well prepared to provide a safe stay with all the recommended safety measures. We believe that we are stronger united against the virus, as we are all in this together

Guests who wish to book with Al Nahda’s properties can spend their nights dining by moonlight, or surveying the stars at Sahab Resort & Spa, Jabal Akhdar, where they can indulge in some well-deserved time away to unwind and reconnect.

Alternatively, they can head to Al Nahda Resort & Spa, which is nestled in an oasis of thirty acres of gardens, enclosed by sprawling greens and clusters of mango trees, providing the ultimate in tranquility and relaxation.

Closer to the capital, the Kempinski Hotel Muscat also has a great offer for families who wish to spend the Eid holiday with them, said Firas Rashid, the facility’s Director of Sales and Marketing.

“We have an offer this Eid, where two adults and two children can stay in a deluxe room, along with dinner and breakfast, for OMR 69,” he said. “The offer is valid for those with children under six, but for those above this age, guests need to only pay an additional fee of 50 percent.

“We have this offer throughout summer and until the end of this year, so that it is more convenient for people to come and spend time with us whenever they feel like it,” added Rashid. “We have received many enquiries over bookings, but people are waiting for the Eid holidays to be confirmed before finalising their stay with us.”

As at other resorts, restaurants at Kempinski will only be open to hotel guests, with in-room dining offered after 7pm. While they can access the beach that is immediately outside the hotel, access to the gym and pool is denied for the time being.

The Millennium Executive Apartments in Boushar also have an offer for customers, who can rent out a one bedroom apartment for OMR 30 a night, and get a 20 percent discount on hotel food and beverage outlets. Alternatively, they can stay for four nights, and pay for three, or stay for a week, and pay for just five nights.