D. Verweij
25 November 2023
Salalah hardly has new resorts, so it was difficult to choose. Guests are mostly 55+ from German, Polish and Czech nationality. Best pick is probably the neighbouring Anantara Al Baleed, but price is double. Although when you pay € 222 per night for a simple very dated old room including breakfast it should be compensated with excellent and personal service. Compared to what you get for this in Abu Dhabi it is a pity. They claim to be a 5 star property, but this is the worst 5* hotel we ever stayed in.
Pros
+ Complimentary airport Shuttle with friendly driver.
+ Early arrival but room was ready in half an hour without any charge.
+ Beachfront Location.
+ Ocean Beach House with restaurants and a roof terrace with amazing sun set view; this is probably their best asset.
Cons
- Old building, lobby, furniture, rooms, beds & mattresses, dated bathrooms with lots of wear and tear (showering in a bath with shower curtain is not from this century) and ugliest ‘pool deck’ ever.
- We were supposed to be informed when the room was ready, but the front desk forgot us.
- No assistance with bringing suitcases to the room.
- Staff in general (except serving staff in OBH) is not very friendly, welcoming and trained. There is lack of management; the GM was never on the floor to see what’s going on. Even the FO manager looks like he doesn’t like his job and the property.
- Bathroom light was out of order (all 3!) and when we ask to repair this, again someone looked very agitated we even asked.
- [ ] Understaffed; Long cues in front of the beach bar as there was only 1 bar tender.
- [ ] Beach towels very difficult to find. I had to ask to 3 different staff members and they only pointed me into the direction pfff.
- [ ] No staff and service at the beach.
- [ ] Dust in rooms, bathroom bin not emptied.
- [ ] Choice for breakfast is very limited, no fresh juices, lots of things on the buffet are not being refilled after 09.45. Breakfast ends at 10.30.
- [ ] The beach and ocean itself is nice, but there should be daily cleaning from the cigarette butts, plastic lids and tiny branches.
- [ ] Most beach guests claim 2 sun loungers per person.
- [ ] F&B is very very expensive.
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