It’s all about the sense of arrival at Kempinski Hotel Muscat, an urban destination resort designed by the Dubai office of Woods Bagot in Al Mouj, one of the Omani capital’s newest communities. The lobby, for starters, is a masterclass in the interplay between shadow and light, with its molded GRP-paneled ceiling and illuminated columns. Informed by Omani cultural monuments like Al Alam Palace, the ceremonial home of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos, the hotel reveals itself as a modern interpretation of the Sultanate.
Led by firm principal Samer Charara and regional projects leader David Lyster, the team designed the beach resort as a matrix of nine buildings reminiscent of the architectural topography of Old Muscat, particularly the Muttrah Corniche. Take the bold ballroom, which is crafted in the fashion of a 3D Arabic lantern with its diagonal pattern glowing at night. It reinforces the hotel’s identity as a landmark, while “its prominent location as the first building visitors see establishes a strong first impression,” notes Charara. Buildings frame external courtyards, creating memorable moments alongside landscaping and a dominating axial view toward the sparkling waters of the coastline. Based on an Omani village, “with composition of the external spaces designed to create a tranquil guest journey,” the complex references local traditions, says Charara. Water features, for instance, speak of agricultural irrigation channels, while interiors are characterized by narrow pathways that open up to light-filled chambers, much like a souk.
The country’s diverse landscapes influence the interior architecture within the 10 distinctive F&B outlets, including the Kitchen’s live interactive counters shaped to recall the jagged edges of an Arabic wadi.
Meanwhile, the 310 cool and uncluttered guestrooms favor tactile fabrics such as leather and linen, with higher room categories inviting in layers of metallic and mother of pearl accents. Still, the ambiance is dialed back, reflecting the Omani’s humble and hospitable national character.
