Laila Stock

About Laila – How Oman conquered my heart

My enthusiasm for the Orient has its roots in my childhood. At three years old, I was in Dubai for the first time, and at six in Doha – since then I have traveled with my family through many regions of the Orient and grew up with its colors, sounds, and scents. Oman itself came later, almost incidentally: On the way to Zanzibar, I had a stopover in Muscat with Oman Air planned. Two days in the capital were enough for me to fall in love with the Sultanate – and to ensure that I keep coming back since then, for longer and more extensive stays.

What excites me the most to this day is the balance that Oman maintains between modern development and preserving tradition. Other oriental destinations often rely entirely on one or the other. Oman manages to be both at the same time: modern and down-to-earth, open-minded and true to its roots. You can feel it in the streets of Muscat just as much as in the small villages inland that have hardly changed for generations. This peculiarity clearly distinguishes Oman for me from other countries in the region – and is the reason why I always find my way back here since my first stopover in Muscat and prepare you for your own journey through this country with just as much passion.

Places that particularly excite me

Muscat

Muscat enchanted me from the first moment with its cityscape: bright, low-rise houses, artfully decorated mosques, and the immediate proximity of mountains and sea, which meet here in the smallest of spaces. I particularly enjoy walking along the promenade of Al Mouj or in front of the Mandarin Oriental, where the local life is revealed away from the hotel complexes. A stroll through the Muttrah Souk is also essential for me – preferably together with my colleague Luca, when we quietly choose small gifts for our Omani colleagues. This mixture of urban life, craftsmanship, and hospitality makes Muscat a place where I always enjoy arriving.

Dibba – Six Senses Zighy Bay

When I imagine how paradise might feel, Six Senses Zighy Bay comes very close to that image. The beach there puts even the well-known coastal sections of Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the shade, and the resort immediately immerses you in a completely own, remote world. The relaxation begins not just at the pool, but already at the reception during check-in. Even a few nights are enough to fully arrive – a feeling that I have hardly experienced so intensively anywhere else in Oman.

Jabal Akhdar

The Jabal Akhdar surprises me every time. Those who think of Oman primarily in terms of sand and stone will be pleasantly corrected here: lush green terraces climb the slopes, whether in the small front yard of local families or in the plantation of a luxury hotel. To this day, there is great devotion to cultivation here – fruit trees, roses, everything is lovingly cared for, and you can immediately feel this care when walking through the terraces. Additionally, there is a pleasant coolness that provides a welcome balance to the heat of the coastal cities. This combination of surprise, dedication, and climate change makes Jabal Akhdar one of the unique places in Oman for me.

Wahiba Sands

When I first traveled to the Wahiba Sands on a business trip, my first thought was: What will I do if I am unreachable until tomorrow afternoon? Today I understand that this is exactly what makes the desert appealing. No reception, no obligations – just pure silence and a focus on the here and now, which I have otherwise hardly experienced anywhere else in Oman. This feeling of living completely in the moment is what has remained most strongly in my memory from the Wahiba Desert.

Salalah

I visited Salalah during the Khareef season, when a very distinct, contrasting climate sweeps over the region – so different from the rest of Oman. Among the warm raindrops, I noticed how fresh and well-maintained the hotels there are presented, almost as if they are reinventing themselves just a little bit every year. Sometimes there’s a new beach bar, sometimes the villas appear in fresh colors – you can almost feel how much care and love go into maintaining the facilities. Every visit feels a bit different because of this, even though the place remains familiar.