Muscat: In an effort to create some positive vibes due to the pandemic, several premium hotels in Oman are offering attractive ‘staycation’ packages for residents. Propounding the concept that having a holiday does not have to mean travelling abroad, the hotels are offering custom packages to enable guests to enjoy an unforgettable vacation without having to leave the country.
Mountain resorts such as Anantara Jebel Akhdar and Jebel Shams Resort have been reporting solid occupancy during weekends and optimal bookings on week days.
Vipesh of Jebel Shams Resort says that the pleasant and cool weather make for a unique stay at the mountain regions. “The weather this week has been hovering between 22 and 27 degrees Celsius and there have been intermittent showers that further bring down the temperatures. It is cool, breezy and dreamy in the Jebel areas. We were fully booked last weekend and going by the bookings we have, it is not going to be any different this weekend too,” he says.
Anantara Jebel Akhdar, another mountain resort property recorded high numbers of guests over the weekend with week days also faring well. Aside from the discounted rates for hotel stays, the cool air and light drizzle have also contributed in getting visitors to book.
The resorts and hotels are extremely cautious however and are ensuring strict compliance of guidelines enforced by the authorities in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic are being followed by guests and staff alike.
“We ensure social distancing measures are followed by guests and the staff, and that the masks are worn by the guests in public areas inside our property. Staff must wear the mask at all times during duty”, says Ahmad Al Houssary, Cluster Director of Sales at Atana hotels.
Atana’s property in Musandam, Ras Al Jinz and Ashkara are open for guests now. “Our guests currently are residents and citizens of Oman. As this is also the turtle hatching season, our resort in Ras Al Jinz is showing good guests occupancy, as also our Ashkara property which has a very good locational advantage, overlooking the sea.”
Even in the capital, customers eager for a change of scene are signing up for the staycation deals.
“Sheraton Oman Hotel has re-opened from 1st July 2020 and we are currently offering room stays and in room service for Food and Beverage offerings. There has been a sizeable domestic demand during the weekends with the uptake for weekday stay too doing pretty good. For hoteliers, this has given a unique perspective of focusing on domestic demand and it is clearly different from what we have been doing,” Says Ryan Cornelio, Associate Director of Sales at Sheraton Oman hotel.
JW Marriott Muscat is offering a package for Omani nationals and residents. “We are delighted to be welcoming guests with genuine warmth and service once again to our hotel. Now more than ever, people need to find ways to replenish their body, mind, and soul,” said Giuseppe Ressa, General Manager, of JW Marriott Muscat.
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