It's that time of year again, the supermarkets have marked the changes in season from Ramadan with it's Vimto pyramids to National day with the flags everywhere and now, to Christmas - and there's plenty of Christmas trees and decorations to look at now!
As I have done for the last few years, here is a round up of all the hotel deals and events taking place this Christmas and NYE season for 2013 at most of the hotels around Muscat, and a few further beyond. The most notable difference to most NYE events this year is the lack of live music, most venues have opted to use a DJ, but some hotels have thought outside the box and have raised the bar a little, personally, all bias aside, I think the Circus offering at the Hyatt is going to be special.
Here's the round up. If you want me to add an event for your venue, no problem at all - just email me (you can find it on the top right hand corner of this blog)!
Christmas Eve
Grand Hyatt
Mokha Cafe - RO 16 (kids) RO 28 (soft drinks) RO 35 (Glass of wine) - Christmas buffet dinner
Tuscany - RO 21 (kids) RO 42 (glass of wine) 4 course set menu
Safari Rooftop - RO 28, 35 or 40 (depending on what menu) free flowing drinks
Club Safari - RO 25 singles, RO 45 couples - Pub style finger food and open bar, from 7pm till 3am
Intercon
Musandam - RO 13++ (kids) RO 26++ alcohol is extra. Buffet meal from 7pm onwards.
Trader Vics - RO 28++ alcohol not included, 4 course meal, kids menu a la carte on offer too
Shangri-La
Shahrazad - RO 50++ a 5 course menu and Moroccan entertainment.
Sultanah - RO 11++ (kids) RO 35++ Italian 5 course meal
Bait Al Bahr - RO 11++ (kids) RO 35++ 4 course menu on the beach
Al Tanoor - RO 25++ - Arabic and Indian foods
Samba - RO 22++ Traditional Christmas buffet
Fairouz - RO 50++ - Authentic Lebanese and live entertainment
Sifawy Hotel
RO 35++ or RO 45++ (inc a dhow cruise) (free bar) Traditional dinner with the option of a Dhow cruise too, I highly recommend the cruise, starts from 7pm.
Crowne Plaza Sohar
The Restaurant - RO 8.5 (kids) RO 17 - Festive buffet from 7pm-11pm
The Sports Bar - RO 12 - 3 course set menu from 7pm-11pm
Al Bustan Palace
The Beach - RO45++ 4 course set menu from 6.30pm
China Mood - RO 45++ for a 5 course set menu from 6.30pm
Al Khiran Terrace - RO 11++ (kids) RO 22++ Festive buffet dinner with live cooking stations, gingerbread house and kids play area
The Chedi
The Restaurant - RO 49++ set menu from 7pm
Christmas Day
Grand Hyatt
Mokha Cafe - RO 18 (kids) RO 37 (glass of wine) from 12:30pm-3:30pm - Christmas buffet lunch with DJ Katie Smiles entertaining, Santa will be visiting and giving gifts to kids.
Tuscany - RO 22 (kids) RO 45 (glass of wine) from 12:30 - 3:30pm - Set menu Christmas themed lunch
Intercon
Musandam - RO 15++ (kids) RO 30++ alcohol is extra. Buffet meal, games corner and dance competition conducted by Shaun the Sheep and Barney.
Shangri-La
Shahrazad - RO 35++ a 5 course menu and Moroccan entertainment.
Sultanah - RO 35++ 5 course "Fine Dining" meal
Bait Al Bahr - RO 9++ (Kids) RO 22++Candelit 4 course seafood dinner
Al Tanoor - RO 18++ for buffet lunch, RO 20++ for buffet dinner
Samba - RO 20++ buffet dinner
Capri Court - RO 9++ (kids) RO 25++ 4 Course Italian meal
Sifawy Hotel
RO 25++ (free bubbly) Traditional Christmas lunch by the marina from 12:30pm
Crowne Plaza Sohar
The ballroom - RO 12 (kids) RO 19 - Festive buffet lunch with Santa making a visit with gifts for the kids
Al Bustan Palace Al Khiran Terrace - RO 17++ (kids) RO 34++ (dry) RO 55 (free bar) Festive buffet dinner along with Santa making an appearance. He's gonna be busy today!
The Chedi
The Restaurant - RO 45++ set menu from Noon
New Years Eve
Grand Hyatt
Hotel Gardens - RO 40 (kids) RO 88 (free bar) - Gala dinner with welcome aperitif in the Sirj tea lounge, Spanish artist Adrian will be performing aerial circus displays and
DJ Femi B providing the soundtrack from 8pm till 2am.
Tuscany - RO 40 (kids) RO 80 (free bar) - Black tie 6 course dinner rom 8pm - 2am.
Camp Hyatt - the Afrah ballroom is turned into a babysitting spot with games and events for the kids, runs from 7pm till midnight.
Safari Rooftop - RO 30 (kids) RO 60 (free bar) - includes free access to the party in the Club Safari below 7:30pm - 1am
Club Safari - RO 40 singles, RO 70 couples (free bar) finger food buffet as well, runs from 7pm till 3am.
Copacabana - RO 30 for singles or couples, no free drinks.
Intercon
Musandam - RO 28++ (kids) RO 65++
alcohol included (alcohol free option is RO 45). Buffet meal, games corner and play room, DJ outside in the garden with a dance floor.
Trader Vics - RO 75++ alcohol included, 5 course menu, kids menu a la carte on offer too
Al Ghazal Pub - RO 32++ alcohol included from 7pm - 2am.
Senor Pico - RO 20++ (kids) RO 51++ alcohol included - Mexican 4 course dinner and a latin DJ.
Tomato - RO 16++ (kids) RO 44++ alcohol included, 3 course menu, kids playroom.
Shangri-La
Bait Al Bahr - RO 49++ (Kids) RO 98++Seafood themed outdoor gala dinner, alcohol included
Al Tanoor - RO 49++ (kids) RO 98++ Grand buffet dinner - seafood and Arabic themed, alcohol included
Samba - RO 49++ (kids) RO 98++ Buffet dinner, alcohol included
Capri Court - RO 49++ (kids) RO 98++ 5 Course Italian meal, alcohol included
Fairouz - RO 120++ Lebanese specialty dinner, alcohol included
Sifawy Hotel
RO 60 (free bar) Black & Gold themed 7 course dinner by the pool with live entertainment
from 7pm
Crowne Plaza Muscat
Gardens - RO 25 (kids) RO 50 inc. half a bottle of wine, extensive gala buffet dinner by the pool with a live band, from 8pm - 1am
Crowne Plaza Sohar
The Sports Bar - RO 10 includes 2 free drinks and bar snacks.
The Ballroom - RO 45 or RO 85 per couple - drinks included Gala buffet dinner
Al Bustan Palace
Beach Pavilion - RO 59++ (free glass of bubbly) 4 course menu on the beach from 6.30pm
China Mood - RO 59++ (free glass of bubbly) 5 course menu
Al Khiran Terrace - RO 17++ (kids) RO 39++ (dry) RO 59 (free bar) Buffet dinner
The Lawn - RO 120++ (or RO 96++ if you're staying the night) free bar on the lawn to see in the new year
The Chedi
The Restaurant - RO 98++ set menu with live cooking stations an ethnic food specialty counters, then head to the Lobby where a DJ will help you see the new year in.
The Beach Restaurant - RO 125++ super fancy seafood dinner, then head to the Lobby...
Al Nahda Restort & Spa
RO 10 (2 drinks) RO 30 (dinner and 2 drinks) RO 55 (dinner and free bar) - red and black masquerade ball held on the beach. Special room rate of RO 35 if you don't want to drink and drive / ride. Runs from 8pm till 1.30am
New Years Day
Intercon
Musandam - RO 20++ soft drinks only, from 12:30 - 4pm.
Shangri-La
Al Tanoor & Zafran Courtyard - RO 25++ for buffet lunch
Before Christmas events and order menus
Grand Hyatt
Order in the following meals between Dec 15th and Dec 31st
Foie gras terrine - RO 95
Scottish honey glazed ham - RO 175
French soulard confit duck leg - RO 120
Roast Australian Mulwarra prime rib eye - RO 175
Traditional US turkey - RO 130
Christmas pudding - RO 55
Friday 6th December - Christmas tree lighting
Monday 9th December, 4:30 - 5:30pm - Christmas carols with the BSM Choir in the lobby
Thursday 12th December, 3 - 6pm - White Christmas Tea "Share the Joy" fundraiser for ongoing efforts with the Mercy Corps in the Philippines
A Christmas inspired cooking class - December 10th - Tuscany - RO 25 per person, 3 course set menu including a glass of wine
Intercon
Christmas pudding - RO 12 / RO 22
Christmas cake - RO 26
Vanila Yule log - RO 15/KG
Chocolate Yule log - RO 15/KG
Mocha Yule log - RO 15/KG
Gingerbread house - RO 35
Gingerbread Tree - RO 7
Gingerbread Santa - RO 7
Mince Pies (12pc) - RO 8
Christmas cookies - RO 6
Traditional turkey - RO 80 / RO 95
Honey glazed ham - RO 65/KG
Australian beef rib - RO 75/KG
Roast duck - RO 35
Shangri la
Christmas tree lighting ceremony - 16 Dec 6pm
Crowne Plaza Sohar
Tree lighting ceremony - 12 Dec at 5:30pm
Decorate your own gingerbread house (kids) - 19 December from 6pm, RO 8
Al Bustan Palace
Tree lighting Ceremony
- 15 Dec from 2-5pm
Afternoon tea in the Atrium - ALL MONTH - RO 15++
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Thats all this year....
le fin.
