Dramatic & iconic, married with luxury and simplicity
Located in the modern community of Al Mouj, Muscat and encompassing over six kilometers of stunning coastline, Kempinski Hotel, Muscat is an unparalleled luxury beach resort in the capital of Oman.
The design brief was to ensure that the Kempinski hotel brand, with its prestigious European heritage and passion for luxury was emulated in our FF&E concept. With the façade of the hotel’s buildings taking inspiration from the iconic landscape of old Muscat, the design concept also needed to reflect the architecture, culture and the distinctive Arabian landscape. The FF&E needed to bring the unique story of the hotel to life.
Making a statement
The design concept embraces a dramatic sense of arrival, alive with tradition and historic appeal. The beach resort complex is reminiscent of the architectural topography of old Muscat, particularly the historical Muttrah Corniche. The concept is a contemporary interpretation of its traditional location with Arabian feature elements that are truly Omani in nature. The monumental lobby takes its inspiration from lilies in a pond beneath an interplay of shadow and light, with its moulded GRP-panelled ceiling and illuminated columns to honour the Al Alam Palace, the ceremonial palace of His Majesty
Rich motifs
From architectural cues to existing landmark buildings, the design of the resort hotel combines the European sensibility of the Kempinski brand with a true flavour of Arabia by paying homage to celebrated ancient motifs and traditional craftmanship. The diamond-shaped building of the ballroom is inspired by a traditional lantern, shedding its glowing diagonal pattern of light at night across the Omani village style complex.
The spirit of Muscat
Muscat itself is a harmonious marriage between centuries-old traditions and modernism, the contemporary Arabian-influenced buildings frame external courtyards, creating memorable moments alongside landscaping and a dominating vista of the sparkling waters of the coastline. Based on an Omani village, with the composition of the external spaces designed to create a tranquil guest journey. Water features for example, are suggestive of agricultural irrigation channels, while interiors are characterised by narrow pathways that open up to light-filled chambers, much like a traditional souk.
Luxurious guestrooms
The concept for the guest room buildings is an abstraction of an an Arabian village, very much inspired by Muttrah corniche.
Guest rooms favour tactile fabrics such as leather and linen, with higher room categories inviting in layers of metallic and mother of pearl accents. The ambiance is of elegant simplicity, reflecting the Omani’s humble and hospitable culture.
