Friday, April 12: We wake up in The Gulf Sand Hotel in Al Musanaah to find we have no water. We are planning to go the The Chedi, one of the most upscale hotels in Muscat, for the Friday breakfast buffet, so this is not acceptable. I run out to the front desk and since the receptionist doesn’t speak English I do all kinds of pantomimes to show him that I have no water in my room. They run around looking for people in the know, and finally a Bangladeshi guy comes, turns a switch and fills up the water tank. Sweet relief!

pretty little flowers outside the Chedi

wildflowers outside the Chedi
We drive to Muscat, which takes us over an hour since we get a little lost and end up driving in the wrong direction past the sprawling new airport that is under construction. When we finally get there, I am struck by the Zen-like atmosphere of the Chedi. It has plenty of simple white arches and waterfall gardens, but it feels more Japanese than Arab. The 5-star boutique hotel fuses together traditional Omani architecture with Zen, Arabic, Japanese and European influences.

entrance to the Chedi

inside the lobby of the Chedi
The website for the Chedi describes the hotel as follows: “Where the majestic Al Hajar Mountains meet their luminous reflection in the serene waters of the Gulf of Oman, the Chedi Muscat rises amidst an elegantly landscaped twenty-one acre garden oasis with 158 Omani influenced guestrooms and villas. This sublime yet central location equally suits leisure and business travellers while six distinct restaurants, a just opened thirteen-suite Balinese spa, three swimming pools, including the 103-metre Long Pool, 400-square metre health club plus two executive meeting rooms enhance Muscat’s considerable cultural attractions.”

inside the restaurant
We decide to sit inside as it’s quite muggy and hot in Muscat today. We’re directed to several stations where we can get typical breakfast fare, pastries or desserts. We both desperately need coffee as we haven’t really woken up.

table decor
After we get our coffee, I pile my plate with olives, yogurt, feta and Arabic cheese, spinach, sautéed mushrooms, potato cakes, and chicken sausages. We both order omelets with cheddar cheese, mushrooms and tomatoes.

my first plate
The breakfast buffet runs from 7:30-10:30 a.m. and costs 15 rials plus 17% taxes. Our total bill is 17.5 rials, or about $45. After eating our omelets, we head to the pastry bar, but I’m too full to indulge much. This is the problem with buffets; I never can eat enough to feel like I get my money’s worth.

me at the Chedi
After breakfast, we walk around the grounds and see the outdoor seating areas, the pool, and the beach from a distance. We’re not allowed to go to the beach because we’re not hotel guests. Anyway, it doesn’t matter to me because I’m underwhelmed. I think I prefer Al Bustan Palace or the Shangri-La to the Chedi.

an outdoor seating area at the Chedi

the outdoor dining area

the pool at the Chedi

the pool

looking out from the entrance
After breakfast, I try to put flyers up for the sale of my car in the Al Fair grocery stores around Muscat that expats frequent, but the bulletin boards are too full and one of them won’t even take my flyer. They tell me it costs 5 rials to hang it up for a week. I put one up in the Medinat Sultan Qaboos Al Fair, but I guess that 5 rial cost will limit me to putting the flyers in only a few places.
On the way back from Muscat, I stop to show another Omani my car and he makes an offer which I still feel is too low. Oh well, I still have time, so I’m not going to panic. Not yet. 🙂
The Chedi looks like a very elegant place. I wonder what the cost is to stay there for a night..
I haven’t had time to look it up, but I’m sure it’s outrageous! It is quite elegant, but I don’t think worth the rumored prices. 🙂
I like the simplicity of the Chedi, although I can see how it might be underwhelming. Your meal sounds delicious. Good luck with the sale of your car. I’ve been following along, but haven’t had time to comment. (I know. I’m a terrible blog neighbor. Hopefully I’ll do better once I’m moved and settled. The last few months have been hectic.)
I know how you feel about things being hectic. You and I are in the same boat right now, with a move looming/beckoning. Don’t worry. I’m very preoccupied now with all the upcoming changes and selling my car, and I am not being a very good blog neighbor myself. Don’t worry; we’ll be back when we can. 🙂
I’m so glad you were able to get away. Cant get over the fiasco of no water in your room! I appreciate that you copied out the description of the Chedi for us. Good Lord! I’m sorry you couldn’t show us pictures of the guests! That pool is an OMG especially as its in the middle of the desert!
I love the sound of your breakfast. You’re going to miss small things like that when you get back to the US. A breakfast buffet that includes feta cheese olives and spinach…In the US?
What is Arabic cheese?
You will sell your car! Not to worry!
Thanks for the encouragement, Rosie. I’m feeling so preoccupied about this car, I can hardly concentrate on anything fun! The Chedi is very nice, very Zen, but I thought the grounds looked a little shabby for the outrageous prices!
I will definitely miss the Arabic breakfast foods when I return home. But, in America, we have access to all of those things. The Arabic cheese I was referring to is Halloum. Here’s a link with a description: http://www.tasteofbeirut.com/2009/12/grilled-halloum-cheese/
Thanks so much for all your amazing comments. You’re the best. 🙂
Yes, there is still time. No worries 🙂 And the breakfast sounds divine – that’s one of my favorite things here in he region. Exactly how much longer do you have, Cathy?
Never-mind, just noticed your countdown calendar! 2 months to go!
As of tomorrow, I have 2 months and 10 days. 🙂
Seems to me the ambience alone is worth 17.5 rials? What a mesmerizing post. I was there with you eating olives for breakfast! Tell me please can you drink the water in the cistern that they filled or is it bottled water all the way?
It’s definitely bottled water here, Kathryn. I do love the olives and feta cheese for breakfast in Arab countries. And yes, you’re definitely paying for ambiance. 🙂
What a grand place to have breakfast. I am trying to figure out how the anthuriam was placed in the table decor. Interesting. You look great in turquoise, by the way.
Thanks so much, Lynne. I wish I had enjoyed it more, but the cost and my preoccupation with selling my car made it not as enjoyable as it could have been. Anthuriam? I had no idea that’s what that was. It’s so good I have friends who can teach me a thing or two. 🙂
Ooo I could be happy in the breakfast room for a few mornings!
Me too, Gilly, especially if it didn’t cost $45! 🙂
What a lovely place to have breakfast, Cathy. The food sounds very tempting indeed. Great photos. You look absolutely beautiful. Good luck with selling your car. 🙂
Thanks so much, Sylvia. I’m having a hard time truly enjoying much right now because of the stress of selling my car. I need to breathe……… Thanks for your kind words of encouragement. 🙂
I can see “underwhelmed” for the outdoor seating area, but I love the first two entrance shots. I’m sure the food was good, and the pool, with the flying shades, is so pretty. You took some great photos here!
Thanks so much, Lynn. I guess I shouldn’t say “underwhelmed” by the Chedi, but maybe just that all the hoopla about the wonders of the hotel are a little exaggerated. I’m glad you like the pictures though; the buffet and dining areas were really amazing. Just wish I could have eaten $45 worth of food!! I think the food I ate probably would have cost less than $5 if I had made it myself. I paid, and dearly, for ambiance. 🙂
molto interessante, foto meravigliose
grazie
Ventis
Thank you so much, ventisqueras. 🙂
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