Ulasan Crowne Plaza Resort Salalah

Mixed experience at Crowne Plaza Salalah. We visited during Ramadan so expected some limitations but didn’t really feel very limited in any way, although we are not big drinkers so didn’t mind the lack of alcohol during the day around the pool/beach. Beach is excellent. Wide and long with white sand, plenty of loungers and shade. We were able to swim , water was warm, a little choppy but clean and pleasant, no rocks etc. Ocean Blu restaurant very nice. On the beach with lovely views and the restaurant staff are all very good and friendly. Joseph at breakfast was particularly good. Breakfast options are plentiful , with a variety of western, Arabic, and Indian cuisines, also vegetarian/vegan option. Buffet dinner also good, as I mentioned, we visited during Ramadan and they offered an iftar buffet , with many traditional Omani foods. We booked an excursion through the on site travel agency, (Hallasalalah) who were very good and we really enjoyed our desert safari. There is a pub, we didn’t try it as not our style , looked like a ‘proper’ English pub! But it seemed popular. Drinking alcohol outside was not allowed due to Ramadan. However… Check in was a bit impersonal and rushed. We didn’t feel particularly welcomed and the information given to us regarding restaurant opening times was all a bit confusing. We also got the impression our questions annoyed the lady who checked us in. The other reviews are right; this hotel is so dated! The decor both exterior and interior feels like you’ve gone back to the 1980’s! Rooms are clean, housekeeping are great, but rooms are very shabby, and power points are in inconvenient places to charge up phones etc overnight. Obviously not a USB connection in sight. We had a twin room but only one bathrobe?! The shower was ok, water pressure and temperature good. But there’s a shower curtain rather than screen. Also the water didn’t drain, so you ended up showering ankle deep. Pool area also looks like it could use some maintenance. Broken paving stones, some trash lying around the bin area. Beach towels and sun loungers have seen better days. Wifi is patchy. Gym and Spa area very good, we believe that’s fairly new. Getting taxis outside is tricky! We wanted to book otaxis as they are generally cheaper and the app is good. However they can’t pick up directly from hotels in Oman, so you have walk a little outside the hotel. But the taxi stand across the road are super pushy, descend on you immediately, tell you you can’t use Otaxi etc etc. They quote higher prices as well. They just added stress on to our trips outside the hotel! Overall we enjoyed our stay but don’t believe this hotel is deserving of 5 stars , more like a 3 star imo. This hotel needs a serious upgrade and don’t think it justifies the prices they charge for the rooms. We might return to Salalah but don’t think we would come back to this hotel unless they radically improve.