Hotel insider: Salalah Rotana Resort, Salalah, Oman

Checking in to the new Salalah Rotana Resort in Oman's Dhofar region.

A spa treatment room at the Salalah Rotana. Courtesy Salalah Rotana Resort
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The welcome

I’m met at the airport and transferred to the hotel, located on Salalah Beach towards Taqah, in about 20 minutes. It's a smooth, 20-kilometre trip. My bag is taken on arrival and I’m told it will be delivered to my room. The resort’s entrance is enticing, with water-filled and cloistered courtyards and a square-shaped, dome-roofed lobby with smaller sections either side; beyond that is another set of open lounge rooms and a rear terrace. The 400-room resort is divided into clusters; mine is a few minutes’ walk from the reception area near the beach. Unfortunately, 90 minutes after arrival, my bag still hasn’t arrived – several calls to reception don’t yield it. Finally, an Omani staff member realises that the bag has been mislabelled and sent to the wrong room, by which time I’m grateful to receive it at all.

The neighbourhood

The hotel is situated on a lovely long stretch of beach, with soft, powdery sand and clear blue water. The resort is spread out over a few acres and has been sensitively designed, with buildings a maximum of three storeys high, set back from the beach amid minimally landscaped gardens. Behind the hotel is an under-construction collection of residential villas. The property next-door is the Juweira Boutique Hotel and marina. Several new resorts are planned for this stretch of still mostly wild coast.

The room

My double room is large and has a good-sized balcony with outdoor seating area, a daybed inside the room, plenty of cupboard space and a full bathroom with both a bath and shower. Everything, including the air conditioning, works well and the blackout curtains are good. The nights are gloriously quiet, save for the roar of the ocean.

The service

I wasn’t impressed with the bland telephone response to my missing bag. I also found myself chasing my morning coffee at breakfast, but perhaps I hadn’t adapted to “Salalah Time". Rooms were well-serviced.

The scene

With 400 rooms, the resort caters to a multitude of guests, from large groups of Italians to Omanis visiting for the evening. Despite 75 per cent occupancy, I never feel that the resort is crowded or noisy. Alcohol is only permitted at certain times, and not at the beach bar, so it's suitable for families.

The food

The breakfast buffet is a mostly good selection of fruit, breads, cheeses and hot items; fruit juices and yogurts could be better and the bread selection more extensive. I have dinner and lunch at The Beach Bar & Restaurant, which has a nice outdoor terrace. Of note are the honey-glazed chicken wings; the seafood ceviche, served in half a coconut; the grilled fish taco; and the steak and crunchy noodle salad (all 4.50 Omani rials [Dh43] each). Various fresh fish options are available.

Loved

The fresh air, clean water and pleasing climate, and the numerous cultural attractions in the area. The Arabic motifs make the architecture attractive, particularly at night, when the entrance is lit by candles.

Hated

The missing bag was a poor start.

The verdict

Currently the best hotel in Salalah, this resort makes a trip to Dhofar more enticing.

The bottom line

Double rooms at the Salalah Rotana Resort (www.rotana.com/salalahrotanaresort; 00968 2327 5700) cost from 58 rials (Dh553) per night, including taxes.

rbehan@thenational.ae

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