Al Khuwayr is fast becoming one of Muscat’s most desirable places to live. Your neighbours are likely to be predominantly Omanis or expats from the subcontinent, and they tend to keep to themselves, apart from some of the children who will think nothing of using your parked car as a goal post.


Best Points


The beautiful mountain backdrop with Taimur mosque and reasonable rents.


Worst Points


Traffic congestion, particularly during peak times near the roundabout.


Accommodation


Al Khuwayr offers mainly two-storey villas, but also many apartments in the business district which runs along the road parallel to the highway.


Shopping & Amenities


There are some big-name electrical shops, local home furnishing stores, clothing stores and art supply stores located along the slip road and off the Al Khuwayr Roundabout towards Madinat Sultan Qaboos. There is also a Mars hypermarket and a Rawasco supermarket in central Al Khuwayr.


Entertainment & Leisure


The Radisson Blu is superbly located, although its famed view of White Mountain and Taimur mosque has now been blocked thanks to a raised highway. The hotel houses bars and restaurants, with the excellent Tajin Grill proving particularly popular. There’s also a swimming pool to keep you entertained. 


Opposite the hotel are a number of shisha cafes (try Kebab King) with their plastic tables and chairs spilling out onto the pavement, which sell food and fresh juices outside. These are very popular with locals and expats alike, and a great place to spend a cool evening with friends, watching football or politics on the big-screen TV.


Other notable hotels include the Park Inn by Radisson, which is licensed, while the City Seasons, Hotel Ibis and Platinum have a variety of restaurants. The service road running parallel to Sultan Qaboos Highway also has a wide selection of restaurants and diners to choose from (no alcohol).


Healthcare


There are many small clinics offering a variety of medical treatments. Badr al Samaa Polyclinic offers general healthcare.


Education


Al Khuwayr is home to the College of Technology, which seems to be expanding at an alarming rate judging by the number of cars parked within a one-kilometre radius of the campus. Unfortunately, it is not open to expat students. The ABA school here offers the international baccalaureate syllabus as part of its well-regarded primary and secondary education courses.


Traffic & Parking


The flagrant disregard for parking regulations around the mosque at prayer time can be interesting and even amusing – it’s amazing to see just how far people will go to avoid having to walk any distance. The roundabout becomes a car park and all roads leading from it are lined on both sides with double-parked vehicles.


Safety & Annoyances


Some of the younger residents and students like to practise ‘doughnuts’ and other noisy tricks in their cars and beach buggies when most people are trying to sleep. Be mindful of occasional random acts of vandalism that include spray painting on cars and vehicle damage. Women should probably not walk alone at night in this area.