Marriott International has opened its latest W Hotels in Oman, the second W to open in the Middle East this year.

The 279-bedroom W Muscat is set against the backdrop of the rugged Al Hajar Mountains, which form a stark contrast to the historic capital city’s lively waterfront. All of the guestrooms and suites at W Muscat provide uninterrupted views ocean, with their design drawing inspiration from the ocean as well as the asymmetrical lines of the nearby mountains, caves and desert.

The Escape’s Away Spa offers 10 treatment rooms, a steam room, a hammam and a couples’ treatment room. The design is inspired by the ancient ritual of stargazing, where guests are enveloped under a bejeweled night sky with the intimacy of cave-like comfort. The spa also includes a Beauty Bar for touch-ups and ‘quick fix’ treatments.

A 1800 sqm beachfront pool offers views of the Gulf of Oman and forms part of the W brand’s WET experience. Here, guests can swim, soak up the sun and enjoy signature beverages while listening to live DJ performances.

W Muscat will be hosting a FUEL Weekend in October – the W brand’s signature fitness and wellness retreat – where WET will take centre stage. The hotel’s FIT fitness centre boasts sea views and state-of-the-art equipment

The architectural narrative of W Muscat immerses guests in the concept of exploration and the storytelling tradition of the nomadic Bedouin traveler.

Its design is inspired by the diverse and vibrant natural locale – from the rugged mountain range to the vast Omani desert, the sparkling bay to the azure waters of the Arabian Sea. Colourful hints of Muscat’s vibrant culture are interspersed throughout the spaces to evoke the mystery and adventure of the city’s rich heritage and storied past.

Welcoming guests upon arrival is a striking, nine-ton frankincense tree sculpture designed by artist Pongsatat Uaiklang that pays tribute to Omani culture. Standing at an impressive 10 meters tall, the piece is made of solid stainless steel, welded from 28 winding pieces. In traditional Omani culture, frankincense was used to bless and welcome weary travellers after their long journeys.

In that same tradition, guests are then ushered into the inviting Living Room (W’s take on the lobby) where they can relax and unwind in an Arabic Majlis, beneath an oversized installation of the Omani Kummas, chic headgears that are unmistakable marks of the Omani attire.

“Muscat is a fascinating and exciting city. Its cultural DNA honours millennia of tradition while looking to what’s new and next – an ideal match for the W brand,” said Anthony Ingham, global brand leader, W Hotels Worldwide. “The arrival of W in Muscat marks a new chapter for both the brand and this buzzing metropolis. The hotel reinterprets Omani design and cultural traditions to create a modern, energetic and stylish Escape unlike anything the sultanate has seen before.”