Radisson Blu Hotel Sohar, Oman - a review of a stay

Our review of the Radisson Blu Hotel Sohar. Our first family trip to Oman was absolutely wonderful and filled with so many adventures. We drove from Dubai to Muscat on the way in and the journey went on forever. It was much harder going than we imagined. On the way back we decided to break the journey with a stay in Sohar which is about halfway. We checked in for one night at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Sohar. I lost count of the times we said to each other, “I wish we were staying here for more than one night”. Far from being simply somewhere to stop off on the way to somewhere else the Radisson Blu Sohar is somewhere to really relax and take in another side to Oman with cool, chilled beach vibes.

👩‍💻 About the author – Nichola is a family travel expert and has written for The Guardian, The Telegraph, Lonely Planet Magazine and Wanderlust, amongst many others. She’s spent over a decade travelling the world with her children, finding the best places for you to explore too.

*AD / This post contains affiliate links & as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. We may also have been compensated in this post either financially or with products / stays. To read more see our Disclosure Policy.

Table of Contents

Where is Sohar and why visit?

If you’re planning a road trip from Dubai to Muscat, Sohar makes a natural and very worthwhile stop. Located in northern Oman in the Al Batinah region, Sohar sits on the coast of the Gulf of Oman and has long been an important trading port. Today it blends industry, history and stretches of open coastline, offering a quieter alternative to Muscat.

Historically, Sohar is believed to have been the ancient capital of Oman and was once one of the most important ports in the Islamic world between the 9th and 11th centuries. It was famed for copper exports and maritime trade stretching as far as China. Legend even links Sohar to Sinbad the Sailor. Visiting here offers a glimpse into Oman beyond its headline attractions.

In recent years, Sohar has continued to develop, particularly around its port and freezone, but it remains far less tourist-heavy than Muscat. That makes it ideal for families looking for space, beach access and a slower pace of travel.

Radisson Blu Hotel Sohar – Hotel and Location:

The hotel is set on the beach at Sohar. The area is obviously being developed at the moment. The hotel is out, kind of by itself, but it is an oasis of calm and luxury at the end of the dusty road.

As soon as you step inside the lobby it makes you want to smile. It’s so beautiful with seaside views beyond.

A review of the Radisson Blu Hotel Sohar, Oman

With 179 rooms and suites it is the perfect hotel to chill out in. And if you do want to explore a bit the Sohar Fort and souq are nearby.

It’s set on the beach which looked a little unkempt so we stayed in the wonderful surroundings of the Radisson and its many pools instead. It even has its own water park.

Exploring Sohar from the hotel

If you have time during your stay, Sohar Fort is well worth visiting. Originally built in the 13th century and later restored by the Portuguese in the 16th century, it now houses a museum exploring the region’s maritime and trading past. It’s compact but fascinating, and offers helpful context to the area.

Sohar Souq, meanwhile, provides a more local shopping experience compared to the larger, more polished markets in Muscat. Here you’ll find traditional Omani goods, textiles and local produce. It’s a nice way to connect your beach stay with Omani culture.

Sleeps:

We stayed in a suite interconnected with a double room. This was an amazing space for a family.

The suite itself was fantastic with a lovely main bedroom.

And large bathroom with bath and separate shower and lots of lovely products too.

We also had a large lounge with dining area.

The whole lounge area opened out onto a balcony which was lovely to sit out on in the warm Omani air and relax.

This whole area connected into the children’s bedroom which had twin beds with a really cool bathroom. You could look out into the bedroom from the bathroom which the children loved.

This whole space felt huge and was perfect for us.

The kids could be off relaxing, watching a bit of TV while we were sat out on the balcony watching people swim in the sea or stroll across the beach. It was a great space.

Food:

We thought the food at the Radisson Blu was wonderful.

Dinner at IndChiThai

Dinner in their IndChiThai restaurant which serves authentic Thai, Chinese and Indian food, was great.

We sat out, overlooking the sea as the sun set and had a wonderful Thai feast. This included starters of spring rolls and a lovely veggie salad and main courses including a delicious veggie red curry.

The children tucked into hearty dishes of Pad Thai, and Mr Globalmouse had a Steamed Red Snapper in a chili lemon sauce.

It was a wonderful meal and we were so full afterwards.

Al Zafaran restaurant – Radisson Blu Sohar

The Al Zafaran restaurant also runs its buffet style meals as part of the half board option. These looked great as we passed by and we will definitely be trying that on our return since the breakfast here was fabulous.

With home smoked salmon, pastries, Arabic tastes, pancakes, smoothies….the breakfast spread was extensive and one of the best we had on our trip. We all loved it.

Dining in Sohar beyond the hotel

If you are staying longer than one night, Sohar has an increasing number of casual cafés and local restaurants. Expect traditional Omani dishes such as shuwa (slow-cooked lamb), grilled meats, fresh seafood and plenty of Arabic breads and dips. The coastal location means fish is often particularly fresh.

The Best Bits of The Radisson Blu Hotel Sohar, Oman – a review:

We really felt that the Radisson Blu Sohar was an oasis of calm. It was probably the first time on our trip around Oman when we actually relaxed and enjoyed just staying still for a while.

The location, looking out to sea, is just perfect and with great facilities and restaurants it’s somewhere to really just enjoy.

Worth Bearing in Mind:

I noticed in the early evening some cars driving across the beach. I understand this is a bit of an issue across Oman.

It would be great if the Radisson could reclaim some of the beach to make it vehicle-free because although it didn’t really affect our stay at all it did somewhat disrupt the tranquility each time it happened.

As I say, a minor inconvenience.

Radisson Blu Hotel Sohar, Oman – a review – Child Friendly?

Absolutely. Our children loved the hotel and the space it allowed us as a family was wonderful, complete with pools and play areas.

The children adored the pools which were warm and fun and had plenty for them to do. They were out playing in them until 9pm on the night we arrived.

Since we visited the hotel have now built a mini water park on the site which looks amazing.

Is Radisson Blu Sohar worth booking?

If you are planning a Dubai to Muscat road trip, or exploring northern Oman, Radisson Blu Sohar remains one of the most established international-standard hotels in the area. Its beachfront location, family-friendly room configurations and resort-style pools make it particularly appealing for families needing a restful stop.

Sohar itself has grown commercially in recent years, but it still retains a quieter feel than Muscat. For travellers wanting a coastal Oman hotel without city traffic, this can be a real advantage.

All in all we thought the Radisson Blu Hotel, Sohar was the perfect retreat. And as I said at the start I just wish we’d booked in for more days there.

We will most definitely be back.