IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group), a global lodging brand, has opened Holiday Inn Muscat Al Seeb in the heart of capital’s new business district, making it the third IHG hotel in the city.

The hotel is located within ten minutes’ drive of Muscat International Airport and next to the new centres of business and government.

The hotel is also close to some of the capital’s most popular tourist attractions including Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, the traditional souqs at Seeb and Muttrah and old Muscat.

The hotel has 185 rooms, each with a 32-inch LED TV, an iPod docking station and access to free Wi-Fi services. A workspace in the rooms offers a relaxing and spacious environment, with views over the outdoor pool and terrace area. The hotel’s ballroom, boardroom and meeting rooms offer flexible spaces for customised events and meetings, catering for up to 250 people.

The hotel features an all-day dining restaurant offering international cuisine and the Halwa Lounge Café offering a taste of Omani drinks and delicacies.

Additionally, Holiday Inn Muscat Al Seeb operates Holiday Inn Hotels and Resort’s ‘Kids Stay and Eat Free’ programme, making travelling with all the family easier to manage.

Oppenheimer Pinto, general manager, Holiday Inn Muscat Al Seeb said: “The team is very excited to be welcoming guests to Oman’s newest hotel. With our close proximity to the airport and to the attractions of Old and New Muscat, the hotel is a great place to stay whether you’re here for business or leisure.”

Holiday Inn Muscat Al Seeb marks the re-entry of the renowned brand to Oman. In 1977, Oman was the home of the first Holiday Inn property in the Middle East with Holiday Inn Resort Salalah, before the property was converted to Crowne Plaza Resort Salalah.

Pascal Gauvin, IHG’s chief operating officer, for India, Middle East and Africa said: “Oman played a key role in the launch of the Holiday Inn brand in the Middle East region so it is fantastic to be able to bring the brand back to a country where it has so much history.

“With tourist numbers to Oman on the increase we are confident that Holiday Inn Muscat Al Seeb will offer a comfortable and quality option for visitors to Muscat, and play a key role in the city’s future too.”

This hotel will become IHG’s sixth hotel in Oman, and joins two other IHG properties in the capital: InterContinental Muscat and Crowne Plaza Muscat.  There are more than 1,200 Holiday Inn hotels around the world, with another 251 in the global pipeline, a statement said. – TradeArabia News Service