Al Murooj Grand Hotel Muscat

The pool was lovely and very clean, with both a hot and a cold pool and a few loungers. Nearby, there are some cafes, restaurants, and shops. I can recommend Greenhouse Cafe & Restaurant, where we ate three times and loved the food. The hotel is about a 20-minute drive from the main tourist area around Muttrah. The rooms are roomy, the beds really comfortable, and the AC works well. The bathroom was less appealing: the drains were badly clogged, leaving the whole floor wet after a shower, and it wasn't very clean. Our soap, shampoo, and shower gel were all empty when we checked in. I liked staying here, but I think the facilities and service don't justify the price. Hotels in Muscat seem to be like that generally. I'm pretty fussy about hotels, and it took a lot of research before I chose this one, since places in Muscat felt overpriced and lacking in rooms or service.

The reception staff were polite and flexible, and breakfast was good. It was clean and quiet, with a mountain view, and good value for the money. They gave us a discount for staying on weekdays. I chose Almurroj for the Jacuzzi, but it wasn't switched on until 12pm, so I took off one star.

The garage under the hotel has so few spaces that it's easier to skip it and park on the street. The rooms are reasonably comfortable, but too many little things stop this from being a really good stay. The bathroom is oddly cramped for the room size, the light switches work in a confusing way, and the brightly colored soap selection is a mystery. Room service skipped a day, and the windows have to be some of the dirtiest I've ever seen in a hotel. It's an OK place, just with too many details missed.

The rooftop pool has great city views and was pretty quiet during the week. Breakfast was filling, with plenty of choices and an egg station. The rooms were spacious and comfortable, and we felt well looked after throughout our stay. Fantastic hotel and amazing service. Highly recommend!