Friday 19 / April / 2024
Only an hour north of Muscat, the quiet, palm-lined walkways, picturesque marina, and hammock-strung beach of Sifawy Boutique Hotel, along with their phenomenal resident rate specials, have been luring me on impromptu weekend getaways all summer.
It typically hits me on a Tuesday afternoon — that sudden, intense desire to run from the office and the traffic and the dirty dishes sitting in my sink at home —and head somewhere beautiful and quiet where I have no option but to be lazy for a day or two. More often than not, before the day is out, I’ve texted my husband, “Sifah?”, received his resounding, “YES!”, and booked a room.
Sifawy Boutique Resort does not have the best beach for swimming, as the waves are rough and the beach itself is rocky, and the pool is always packed with families splashing around with their children. But it doesn’t matter. We don’t go to Sifah to swim. We make the hour long drive south to spend our mornings sipping coffee on the terrace of our room overlooking the bobbing boats in the marina or the revelry happening in the pool below. We go to Sifah to spend the afternoon sunning on the quiet, never crowded beach in comfortable loungers, sipping on the creations of our favourite barman, Raju. We go to spend the evening dancing in the sand to the music streaming from our playlists through the speakers of the beach cabana for the always small, but always lively group who likes to remain at the beach after sunset. We head down to Sifah, quite simply, because it is relaxing, the service is great, the rooms are clean, the food is surprisingly good, and for an hour drive and around OMR60 for a room, breakfast, and dinner (inclusive of tax), there simply is no better deal going right now.
Peak season is almost upon us, and with the cold weather comes tourists and higher rates at properties around Oman. This is the last month that Sifawy’s resident rate will include dinner, going back to a B&B, tax inclusive rate (still a great deal) October 1st. As a result, I have a feeling that our impromptu Sifah getaways will become more frequent in the coming month. I’m sure we will still head down to Sifah in the winter season to enjoy even longer days lounging by the sea, this time feeling cool breezes instead of hot, but this property will forever remain, in my mind, my personal summer refuge. —[email protected]
On The Weekend Menu:
• In-room welcome fruit and Nespresso espresso machines
• Massage therapist on-site
• Restaurant (A la carte and buffet) and 24-hour room service
• Pool with poolside beverage service
• Beach with shaded lounges, hammocks and Beach Bar (serving snacks and beverages from 11am-11pm)
• Water sports for hire (Jet ski, kayaks, fishing)
• Bike rentals
Sifawy Boutique Hotel
Jebel Sifah
+968 2474 9111
sifawyhotel.com
Summer Resident Rate (For Omani Residents and Citizens)
Includes: Sifawy King or Twin room, Breakfast, Dinner, and Taxes. Free upgrade to Marina Suite, based on availability.
Price: OMR60
