You’ve probably seen the headlines or maybe just caught a glimpse of those wild "hanging suites" in a social media ad. It’s hard to miss. We’re talking about the Trump Oman resort development, or as the marketing brochures officially call it, Trump International Oman. This thing isn't just another hotel. It is a $500 million statement perched 130 meters above the Gulf of Oman, literally carved into the side of a cliff in the AIDA master community.
Honestly, it’s a bit of a surreal project.
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Most people hear "Trump" and "Oman" and think of politics, but in the world of high-end real estate, this is a massive bet on a region that’s trying to become the next big thing in luxury travel. This isn't Dubai. It’s Muscat—well, just outside of it—and the vibe is totally different. While Dubai is all about the biggest and loudest, this project is leaning into the rugged, rocky geography of the Yiti area.
The Partnership: Who is actually building this?
The logistics of the Trump Oman resort development are a bit of a three-way tango. First, you’ve got Dar Global, which is the international arm of the Saudi-based Dar Al Arkan. They are the ones actually putting the bricks and mortar together. Then you have Omran Group, which is the Omani government's executive arm for tourism. And finally, the Trump Organization is the brand and the manager.
Essentially, it's a licensing and management deal. The Trumps aren't the primary owners of the land—the Omani government is—but the Trump brand is the "face" that attracts the global investors.
Why Oman? Because the Sultanate is currently pouring $22.5 billion into its tourism sector under the "Oman Vision 2040." They want to diversify away from oil, and nothing says "we are open for business" like a giant gold-lettered resort on a cliffside.
What’s actually inside the Trump Oman resort development?
If you were to walk onto the site today, you’d see a massive amount of dirt being moved. The scale is hard to wrap your head around. The entire AIDA community covers about 3.5 million square meters.
The Cliff Hanging Night Club
This is probably the most "Trump" feature of the whole thing. They are building a night club that literally hangs off the side of a cliff. It’s supposed to be a first for the Middle East. It sounds terrifying if you’re afraid of heights, but for the jet-set crowd, it's the ultimate photo op.
The Golf Factor
You can’t have a Trump property without golf. The Trump International Golf Club Oman is the centerpiece. We’re talking an 18-hole championship course designed to wind through the canyons and along the coastline. It’s intended to be one of those "bucket list" courses that people fly halfway across the world to play once.
- 140-key 5-star hotel: The main accommodation block.
- The Hanging Suites: Rooms that look like pods attached to the rock face.
- Trump Golf Villas: A collection of 3 to 7-bedroom villas for people who want to live there permanently.
The pricing isn't exactly "budget-friendly." If you want to buy a hotel room as an investment, you’re looking at a starting point of around OMR 134,000 (which is roughly $348,000 USD). For a full-sized villa? Prices jump into the millions of dollars pretty quickly.
Why this project is sparking debate
Look, it’s not all sunshine and golf. The Trump Oman resort development has been a lightning rod for criticism, specifically regarding conflicts of interest. Since the Trump Organization is in a 30-year partnership with a company partly owned by the Omani government, ethics experts have pointed out that this creates a direct financial link between a former (and potentially future) U.S. president and a foreign state.
Then there’s the environmental side. Building a massive resort on 100-meter-high cliffs isn't exactly low-impact. Dar Global claims they are using "Omani-inspired" architecture and water recycling tech, but you can't move that much earth without changing the landscape forever.
Investing in Trump International Oman: Is it worth it?
If you’re looking at this from a business perspective, the numbers are interesting. The project is currently targeting a Q4 2028 completion date.
Investors are being promised projected rental yields of 6-8% and capital appreciation of roughly 8-12% annually as the AIDA masterplan nears completion. One big draw for foreign buyers is the "Integrated Tourism Complex" (ITC) status. In plain English, that means if you buy property there, you get 100% freehold ownership and you’re eligible for a residency visa in Oman.
Plus, Oman has some of the lowest taxes in the region—0% personal income tax and 0% capital gains tax. For a global investor, that’s a pretty loud siren song.
Reality Check: The 2026 Progress
As we stand in 2026, the first phase of the AIDA project is nearing its 2027 milestone. Ground was broken back in 2024, and the structural work for the Trump International Golf Club is well underway. While "on-time" is a rare phrase in Middle Eastern construction, Dar Global has a decent track record, and the involvement of Omran Group means there is a lot of state pressure to get this done right.
What most people get wrong
People often think this is just a hotel. It's actually a massive residential play. Most of the money isn't coming from people staying for a weekend; it’s coming from people buying these $2 million villas to use as vacation homes or tax-efficient assets.
Also, it's not "in" Muscat. It’s about 25 minutes from the airport and maybe 10-15 minutes from the city center. It’s secluded. If you want the hustle and bustle of a city, this isn't it. This is for the person who wants to wake up, look at the ocean, play 18 holes, and never leave the gated community.
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Actionable Next Steps
If you’re actually considering the Trump Oman resort development as an investment or a travel destination, here is how you should approach it:
- Verify the Payment Plan: Currently, they are offering a 90/10 or 70/30 plan. Make sure you understand exactly when that final 30% or 10% is due (usually upon handover in 2028).
- Check Residency Requirements: If you are buying for the visa, consult with an Omani legal expert to ensure the laws haven't shifted regarding the duration of residency granted for ITC properties.
- Monitor the AIDA Masterplan: The Trump resort is just one part. Keep an eye on the progress of the neighboring Marriott Residences and the Nikki Beach Resort. The value of your investment depends on the entire community being finished, not just the Trump hotel.
- Visit the Site: Don't buy off a render. The Yiti area is stunning, but you need to see the cliff elevation for yourself to understand which units will actually have the "unobstructed" views promised in the brochures.
The Trump Oman resort development is a high-stakes gamble on the future of Omani luxury. Whether it becomes a global icon or just another gated community depends on how well Dar Global can execute that ambitious cliffside engineering. Either way, it's changing the face of Muscat's coastline forever.