Fodor's Expert Review Al Bustan Palace, a Ritz Carlton Hotel

A 20-minute cab ride from downtown Muscat, 40 minutes from the airport, this opulent five-star palace hotel shimmers like an oasis between craggy mountains and turquoise sea, offering every extravagance you'd expect from a Ritz Carlton establishment. It is also a true beach getaway, with long stretch of private white-sand beach and five palm-lined pools set among acres of manicured gardens. Rooms are elegantly designed and include such amenities as palatial bathrooms and private terraces. Of the three view options—garden, mountain, or sea—the breathtaking sea views (especially from the fifth floor on up) are well worth the slightly higher price.