Jumeirah Muscat Bay sits in the sheltered bay of Bandar Jissah, a short drive from central Muscat, between the mountains and the sea. It has 115 rooms and Bahari summer-house villas, arranged to make the most of the views of the bay, marina and hills. The main draw is the setting: a private, self-contained bay that still keeps Muscat’s forts, souqs and coastline within easy reach. It is set up for both activity and quiet, with a dive centre, water sports, tennis and a marina on one side, and the Talise Spa on the other. Families are well catered for, with a KiDS Club and a relaxed pace, while couples can find quieter spots along the shore and at the rooftop restaurant. There are five restaurants and lounges, covering international, Mediterranean, Asian and Italian, from casual beachside lunches to dinner above the bay. It is a varied, practical base rather than a single-note beach resort, and works for a mix of relaxing, water activities and sightseeing.