Salalah Holidays

Alicja Benkenstein

We stayed at Fanar Hotel for 7 nights and overall had a great experience, except for the accommodation itself. One of the highlights was definitely the service. The staff truly go above and beyond. From the moment we checked in, we had a lady reach out to ensure everything was going well. The cleaning staff did an incredible job keeping our apartment clean and making sure we always had fresh water. The golf cart drivers were kind and accommodating, making it easy to get around, and the restaurant staff were always responsive and professional. We also want to thank the reception staff, who were incredibly accommodating and patient throughout our stay, always willing to help with any requests. The food is really good, we thought the best breakfast is at Sindbad Restaurant, definitely worth trying. The weekly Saturday seafood dinner at the beach (15 OMR per person) is a must, an incredible experience with delicious food. For a special evening, we recommend the Omani cuisine night on Wednesdays at the Breakers restaurant, where there are live performances by local dancing ladies. The beaches are very beautiful, as a Fanar guest, you get access to the beaches at both Rotana and The Club hotels. Our favorite was The Club hotel’s beach, which was relatively empty, had great waves, and was well-maintained with lifeguards on duty. The spa in the main building is excellent. I had three full-body massages, and I can wholeheartedly recommend them. Unfortunately, the biggest drawback of the hotel is the accommodation. There is a huge disparity between the hotel rooms in the main building or newer buildings (like Stork or Heron) and what is sold as apartments. These apartments are not up to the standard of the rest of the hotel, they are an honest 3-star experience, not 5-star. Depending on the location, they are a 5 to 10-minute walk from the main hotel, which is already inconvenient. However, the real issue is their age and lack of renovation. The furniture and design are extremely basic, more comparable to a basic hotel than a luxury resort. Bathrooms are noticeably aged, the shower drain was moldy, the ceiling had visible mold and dirt, and the entire room smelled of mold and cigarette smoke. The whole room felt worn-down, with everything from the fixtures to the decor screaming 3 stars, not 5. To be clear, the cleaning staff did an amazing job, and the issue was not cleanliness, but the fact that these apartments are simply too old to be properly maintained. No amount of cleaning can make up for outdated furniture, worn-out bathrooms, and a lingering musty smell. If you're looking for a true 5-star experience, it seems that The Club is the best hotel out of the four in the complex. It’s newer (built just two years ago) and clearly of higher quality but it is also significantly more expensive. Generally the hotel is a 5-star experience in terms of service, food, and amenities but not in terms of accommodation, at least when staying in an apartment. If you are booking here, be very mindful of the room category you choose. I highly recommend opting for a room in the main building or one of the newer sections, but I would not recommend booking an apartment if you are expecting the same level of comfort as the rest of the hotel.

Federica

Review of Fanar Hotel & Residences, Oman (March 9-16, 2025) I would like to express my sincere appreciation for my stay at Fanar Hotel & Residences in Oman from March 9 to 16, 2025. First of all, I would like to give my highest compliments to Mehedi Hassan, who was responsible for cleaning the rooms. His professionalism, attention to detail, and exceptional kindness truly stood out. I stayed in room 439, and I personally witnessed his dedication to providing impeccable service. Without a doubt, he was the best in his role and deserves great recognition for his outstanding work. Regarding the structure, the hotel is beautiful and well-maintained, providing a pleasant and relaxing atmosphere. However, I would like to point out an aspect that could be improved in the international restaurant (and partially in the other restaurants as well): while I appreciated the quality of the food, I noticed that the waiters tend to remove plates too quickly, even when they are not completely finished. A special thanks goes to Elisa, Andrea, Enzo, and the other Andrea from the Franco Rosso team, who always showed great kindness and professionalism. In particular, I would like to praise Elisa, who stood out for her availability and dedication to excellent service. Other guests I spoke with also shared the same opinion. However, I would like to mention a small issue with Ms. Serena, also from the Franco Rosso team. I found her approach to be a bit too strict, with a somewhat military-like attitude and rather invasive looks. Other guests also noticed this, and I believe that a more relaxed and friendly approach would be more suitable for a vacation setting. Additionally, I would like to acknowledge the hotel photographer Hassan and team, who did an excellent job capturing special moments during my stay. The photoshoot was carefully managed, with high-quality images and great professionalism. One aspect that particularly impressed me was the ocean beach, which is truly breathtaking. I hope that in the future it will be maintained with the same attention given to the lagoon at the entrance of the hotel because this beach truly deserves it. It would also be beneficial to have more staff providing service on the beach, not just the Franco Rosso team, to further enhance the guest experience. Lastly, a special mention goes to the SPA, which offers a truly relaxing and well-organized experience. The treatments were carried out with great attention and professionalism, making my stay even more enjoyable. Overall, my stay was very positive, and I highly recommend this hotel for the quality of its services. Thank you again to all the staff for their hospitality!

Dan Belecciu

Excellent conditions and services, very large and spacious rooms. Very nice people and helpful. What can be improved would be a map of the entire place for better orientation, since there are so many bars, restaurants and places of interest. Superb beach at the Indian Ocean, I totally recommend it.

shahina ibrohimova

Oman itself is a country full of fascinating explorations. We have been staying at this hotel for five days, and it has exceeded our expectations in every way. Daria, our Russian-speaking guide, is a true professional—she explained everything in detail and in a way that was easy to understand. A big thank you to all the staff members for their efforts! We truly appreciate your hard work.

Sándor Prémusz

We were absolutely satisfied with all services in the hotel. Amazing rooms, delicious food, breathtaking ocean. The staff was very polite and helpful. The lifeguard guy - Salim was really kind and communicative, he did his job very well. I will recommend this hotel to everyone.

Petr Benda

We were very satisfied during our family vacation. The rooms are relatively small for a family of four, but clean and comfortable. The only negative for us was not being able to turn on the lights in the room more. Other than packing our luggage on the last day, though, it's not really needed. Everything else is just perfect. The beach, the food, the service, the staff. I can only recommend a visit to the resort.

Marek

From the moment I arrived at the hotel in Salalah, I knew I was in for something special. The level of service was absolutely top-notch—every staff member I interacted with was warm, welcoming, and genuinely attentive. They went above and beyond to make sure my stay was comfortable and memorable. What truly exceeded my expectations, though, was the food. Every meal was a delight—fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. Whether it was the local Omani dishes or international cuisine, the chefs clearly put a lot of passion into their work. I found myself looking forward to every dining experience, which is rare for me when traveling! The hotel itself was clean, elegant, and perfectly located for exploring the beauty of Salalah. I honestly can’t recommend it enough—whether you’re visiting for relaxation, adventure, or a bit of both, this place delivers in every way. Can’t wait to come back!

Michał Gaczorek

Our stay was awesome! We got Rotana club and upgraded our room for villa. The room was spacious and very clean. Housekeeping staff was exceptionally good! Regarding other services they were also doing a great job. The resort is huge, we could explore it together with our kids everyday without getting bored. The beach for club guests was simply amazing! We will definitely come back this year and bring friends! Thank you. Only thing that is my personal preference I would like to have perhaps less food to choose from but of higher quality. Anyway i will give this hotel an solid five as the staff was very friendly and helpful, they have an amazing beach and villa was clean and spacious!

Cosmin Tat

Impressed by the all inclusive services provided, nice beach and ocean water color. Large rooms, yet need some minor refurbishments, but nothing critical. In this resort, I had the feeling of space and tranquility, as all the hotel buildings are spread not on height, but on vast land. The same with beaches and restaurants. Never overcrowded - lots of space wisely used.

Martyna Matyjek

We have spent our lovely holidays in Rotana Resort in March 2025. It was absolutely splendid in every aspect! However, what we appreciated the most was the most professional, helpful and joyful service at Club Rotana but not only! We will surely return to enjoy the beauty of Omani coast!

Dr. S Pedersen

Amazing location, friendly staff who went out of their way to make our stay special. Great value for money - the staff were always going the extra mile. Shout out to the amazing chef at breakfast who made all the omelettes, and the ladies who served us an amazing cappuccinos at breakfast! Highly recommend.

Anser Mehmood

I had an amazing stay at Hilton Salalah Resort! The room was perfect, and the beach was stunning. The staff were incredibly friendly and always ready to help. The food quality was outstanding, with a great variety at breakfast and an excellent dinner buffet. A special thanks to Restaurant Manager Anthony and his team for their exceptional service. The Front Office Manager was very kind and always available to assist. The pool attendant (I forgot his name) was very active and helpful as well. Highly recommended for anyone visiting Salalah!

Olga Shakurina

We recently spent five nights at the Hilton Salalah with our two children, and our experience was absolutely delightful. While the hotel is not located in the heart of the city, this turned out to be a huge advantage for us. The peaceful and intimate atmosphere made our stay truly enjoyable, and we loved the fact that everything was easily accessible. It was also a relief to know that our children could move around safely without the risk of getting lost. In terms of luxury, Hilton Salalah may not match the ultra-high-end resorts of the UAE, but for Salalah and Oman in general, this hotel is an excellent choice. Here’s why: First of all, the hotel offers complimentary parking, which is a major plus. The parking area is spacious, which is essential for Oman, where it is best to explore the region in a large vehicle. The convenience of hassle-free parking was a significant benefit for us. We booked a room with breakfast included, and we were pleased with the variety offered each morning. While it may not be a five-star gourmet experience, everything was fresh, delicious, and well-prepared. A delightful surprise was the availability of decaf coffee, which is quite rare in many places. The only small drawback was the lack of lactose-free or plant-based milk for those with dietary restrictions, but this is a minor detail. Fresh fruits were always available, and the meals prepared by the chef were excellent. Our children especially enjoyed the sausages and omelets. As for the pastries, while we are not big fans of baked goods, everything looked appetizing and well-made. One of the highlights for our kids was the heated swimming pool and the small water slide. Although the slide is not huge, it was more than enough to keep them entertained for hours. It was a perfect way for them to have fun between breakfast and our daily outings. Now, a special mention must go to the hotel staff – they were simply outstanding. The level of service we experienced was top-notch. Everyone, from housekeeping to the restaurant and bar staff, was incredibly professional, polite, and attentive. Our room was always spotless, beautifully arranged, and welcoming after a long day. The warm hospitality of the team truly enhanced our stay. Overall, we have no complaints whatsoever. Everything exceeded our expectations, and we highly recommend Hilton Salalah, especially for families. We also had a fantastic dining experience at one of the hotel’s restaurants, which I will review separately. We sincerely hope to return to Hilton Salalah on our next trip. Thank you to the amazing team for making our stay so memorable!

negar ghadiri

I had a very disappointing experience at this hotel’s buffet. The food was stale and clearly reused. Breakfast items were served again at lunch, and lunch dishes were recycled for dinner. For the high prices they charge, the quality and service are unacceptable. I absolutely do not recommend staying here.

Ro

One of the finest Hotel Resort experiences we’ve had anywhere in the world. The Staff is superbly trained and provides personalized service. The breakfast is outstanding and the restaurant food is healthy, safe and well prepared. Outstanding restaurant service by Rani and housekeeping service provided by Ujjal who were always eager to help in any way we requested. Salalah is a diamond-in-the-rough as a destination and we hope to return in the future.

Chris Wallace

Stunning resort, beautiful beaches, and facilities. We had a spacious pool villa close to the gym and kids room. Lost points for the quality of the food for lunch/ dinner/ room service. Shabby French fries and average pizza. Sea bass was great however.

Sulaiman Hojaij

It was just for lunch at the beach, service, quality of food, and taste, all were amazing.

Mohamed A. Husain

A luxury resort in Salalah. We went there for dinner and we had the paella, which was delicious. The ambience was nice with an Oud player playing music in the background. The staff were attentive and friendly. I can’t judge about the rooms because we didn’t stay over at the resort.

Mohammed bajaber

Perfect 👌🏽 what I've seen there was spectacular 😍 shiny swimming pool view

Abdullah Saad

It's so good and relaxing and it's close to the beach you have have your nice time there. And I would love to add there is staff his Name Abdul Rahman I do remamber he is really helpful and he come with good smile a great us in amazing was and show us everything there it's really for hotal like to have amazing staff like this.. And really thank you