Crowne Plaza Resort Salalah By Ihg

The hotel offers a memorable experience, primarily distinguished by its direct beach access and the exquisite Ocean Blue restaurant situated right on the sand, providing stunning sea views. This makes it an ideal destination for families seeking a resort with ample activities and space, couples desiring a romantic and peaceful getaway, and leisure travelers looking for relaxation by the sea. Guests consistently highlight the exceptional friendliness and helpfulness of the staff, the overall cleanliness of the property, and the high quality of the food, especially the breakfast. While the property maintains a charming, classic ambiance, some areas, particularly the rooms, are noted as being dated and could benefit from modernization. To enhance your stay, guests are advised to take advantage of the recently updated spa and gym facilities and to be aware of the external taxi situation, opting for ride-hailing apps from a short distance away for better rates.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel provides a range of facilities designed to enhance the guest experience. A standout feature is the completely new and excellent wellness and spa center, alongside a well-equipped gym, offering perfect opportunities for relaxation and workouts. Guests can enjoy multiple swimming pools, some of which are cooled, providing refreshing options for a dip. The expansive beach area is well-maintained with an abundance of sunbeds and umbrellas, ensuring ample space for all guests to relax. For active guests, padel and tennis courts are available. While the Wi-Fi can be patchy in some areas, it generally allows guests to stay connected. Some common areas, such as pool toilets and dressing rooms, as well as the main entrance fountain, have been noted as needing maintenance and upgrades, and some beach towels and sun loungers show signs of wear.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guests generally find the rooms to be clean and spacious, with many appreciating the comfortable beds that ensure a restful night's sleep. The housekeeping team receives consistent praise for their exceptional attention to detail and prompt service, ensuring rooms are spotless and well-maintained. However, a significant number of reviews indicate that the room decor and furnishings are outdated, giving a dated feel to the accommodations, with some describing them as shabby and in need of renovation. Specific concerns include low-set toilets, awkward bathroom layouts where the toilet is behind the door, and musty smells in some ground-floor hallways. Guests also noted issues with unregulatable or noisy air conditioning, a lack of USB connections, and old power points. Showers often feature curtains instead of screens, and some experience poor water drainage. Some rooms also lack a coffee maker.

Dining & Food Quality
The hotel's dining options receive mixed but generally positive feedback, with the breakfast buffet being a consistent highlight. Guests rave about the amazing variety and quality of the breakfast, which includes Western, Arabic, and Indian cuisines, often served with a sea view. The Ocean Blue restaurant, located directly on the beach, is highly praised for its delicious food quality, particularly for seafood nights and its overall atmosphere and service. The Dolphin Terrazzo is also noted for its rooftop setting, spectacular views, and good food and bar. While many guests enjoy the extensive choices, some found the main restaurant's buffet to be chaotic with slow replenishment and limited options, and specific dishes like meat or rice were occasionally disappointing. Despite these minor points, the overall consensus points to a satisfying and varied culinary experience.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel's central location is a major draw, offering direct access to a beautiful, wide, and long sandy beach that is ideal for leisurely walks and relaxation. Guests appreciate the stunning sea views from various points across the property. While the hotel is somewhat remote from the city center, it is only a short drive to most attractions in Salalah, making it convenient for exploration. Some guests also note its proximity to nearby restaurants and coffee shops. Parking is available on-site. A recurring point of feedback concerns the taxi situation outside the hotel, where drivers can be pushy and quote inflated prices. Guests recommend using ride-hailing applications from a short distance away or renting a car for more economical and stress-free transportation. The hotel also offers a convenient airport shuttle service.

Staff & Service
The hotel staff consistently receives overwhelming praise for their exceptional friendliness, professionalism, and attentiveness, which significantly enhances the guest experience. Many guests highlight the staff's genuine willingness to go above and beyond to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable stay. The housekeeping team is frequently commended for their impeccable cleanliness and prompt fulfillment of requests. Reception staff are noted for their warm welcomes, efficient check-in and check-out processes, and helpfulness in providing local recommendations and accommodating requests, such as late check-out. The restaurant staff are described as very polite, professional, and attentive, contributing positively to the dining atmosphere. Overall, the dedication of the staff to providing excellent service is a standout feature, making guests feel valued and well-cared for throughout their visit.

Additional Information
Guests should be aware of certain aspects that contribute to the overall experience. Some reviews mention challenges with the hotel's cancellation policy, with instances of refunds being refused even for health-related cancellations. The hotel maintains a pet-friendly policy, accommodating guests traveling with animals. While the hotel generally offers a peaceful atmosphere with no organized daytime activities, there is an on-site pub that proves popular with some visitors. The cost of alcoholic beverages within the hotel is noted as being quite expensive. Additionally, some guests observed that certain outdoor areas, such as pool toilets and outdoor seating cushions at the beach restaurant, show signs of wear and could benefit from more frequent maintenance to address issues like bird droppings. The hotel also provides a convenient airport shuttle service.