Golden Tulip Hotels in Muscat

This hotel is strategically located close to the Avenues Mall. Attached to this mall (and closest entrance to the hotel) is Lulu Hypermarket -an amazing supermarket with local and international brands, and a fantastic bakery. This mall is a 5 minute walk from the hotel. However, you do have walk along the road as the sidewalk / footpath does not exist. But this is only for 300 metres. In fact you can get off the street, but it is gravel/ construction site, so you shoes will be messy. Uber and Grab do not exist in Oman. However, the hotel has two or three taxi drivers that will you take you anywhere. They use set rates, rather than a meter. For example Hotel to Airport run is 8 is Omani Rial (US $20). While this hotel is great for shopping, it is not the best for major attractions of Muscat. The main historical sites of Alam Palace, Ai Mirania Fort and National Museum is 21 kms from the hotel. About 10 Omani Rial is each way by taxi. However, there are very few hotels in this area, so most people stay in hotels near Malls in Oman. This is some form of Public Transport in Muscat, but it can be hard for tourists to use without changing to another bus or long walks. For example, the Royal Opera House is 10 kms from hotel. By using public transport this would require a 2.5 kms walk. The hotel rooms are quite spacious and feature comfortable lounge style chairs. The hotel is located near an expressway /motorway, but good soundproofing means this is not an issue. I was of level 3 and could just see the ocean in the distance (right) and the mall (to left). They do have ocean view room (more expensive higher up the building). The TV is very disappointing - small & old with fuzzy channels. Fortunately, the internet is great, so viewing most programs on the computer. The rooftop has great swimming pool and bar, but maybe a little too cold to swim with highs of about 22-23 C in winter. Staff at receptionist are very obliging. I can definitely recommend this hotel for shopping and good base to experience Muscat. However, as mentioned, it is long way from the major tourists attraction of the city and taxi is required.