Crowne Plaza Sohar by IHG — Hotel in Al Batinah North Governorate

Unfortunately our stay was not as positive as the other reviews - and not sure if they got the right property to review to be honest.

Our stay was terrible - I would rate this the worst hotel I have stayed in the Middle East.

We thought that the hotel was closed when we arrived, we thought it was shut down as there were no signs of life. No one was there to help with my families luggage, until we unpacked and walked in someone came.

Then we had lunch at the steakhouse restaurant - food was so below average for the 5 star prices they are charging, the chef got the lamb wrong (it was blue and we asked for medium rare) and then when the waitress bought it back - she literally threw it onto my dads plate.

The rest of the food was awful as well to the point we could not finish it.

Then we went to the rooms, where there was mould everywhere - on the bed, on the doors on the bed head (see pictures for proof) and lacked basic ammenities (tissues for example). The rooms are in serious need of renovation and basic maintenance. Our towels also smelled of mould.

The breakfast the next day - equally disappointing.

My dad and wife also used the spa - which was filled with kids hanging around the reception, however, they did say the massages were good. The receptionist did however try tell my dad he couldn’t charge the room and I had to come down to sort it out (of course they could).

All our interactions with staff made us feel like they did not have any training or basic understanding of running a hotel.

Downstairs half the hallways don’t have light, my son commented he felt like he was in a horror movie of an abandoned hotel and someone was going to attack us.

I raised all the above with the receptionist and she simply said “sorry” and did not seem interested apart from trying to charge me - so I guess she is used to this reaction.

Terrible stay, would stay at the other hotel by the beach if I ever came to Sohar again.

Don’t stay here - you’ll thank me. We felt...

I made the reservation by contacting the reservation manager of Crowne Plaza Sohar Mrs. Mona to make sure that the rooms are very clean and no bad smell and asked for rooms in high floor and far from noise (all this is mentioned in my IHG profile). We felt confident that in choosing a five stars hotel from IHG which is I'm member since 2004 was sure to be the vacation we were hoping for. We were reassured at the time of booking that we were to be in one of the cleanest rooms on the quiet side of the hotel. Upon Check-In, the rooms were certainly one of the older, un-renovated rooms located on first floor close to the restaurant and pool side which meant that we heard load music until all hours of the night including noise disturbance from the poolside all hours of the day. The rooms itself was also really quite dirty and there were feather coming out from very old matters and the towels old and worn-out; there was a constant damp and mold like smell in the room that gave me and my wife a headache and back pain after the first night. We complained first time to the receptionist when we checked in at night and send a message to front desk manager Mrs. Mona (she saw the message but didn’t reply) and in the morning we meet with Mrs. Mona and we were assured that the problems would be solved and the general manger will meet with us to discuss the problems (never show up or call and they refuse to give us his contact number). Each day went by with no solution to our problems and with no rooms available for us to move to and we ended up staying in the same rooms for the rest of our stay. The entire experience ruined our entire family holiday vacation and we will never be going back to your hotel or recommending it to any of our friends. The room was not at all what we booked and had we have known the state of both the rooms and the level of noise outside our windows we would have never chosen to stay...

We had a late check-in . The check-in was very smooth. The staff attending to us was very efficient.

That is the only few Pros about this hotel .

Room size - OK, Bed- Comfortable. At around 4 pm, my sleep got disturb, due to flies. As we arrived late, we didnt ventured into the balcony. How fly came it is a suspense for us. Didnt expected in such hotel.

Amenities- Went for a swimming in the morning. there were no towel. when we asked the personal available there, he informed that towels will come at 10 am only. When we informed that we will go to the reception, he informed that he will bring it from fitness center. But didnt came back for 10-15 minutes. When we went to the fitness center, we found him relaxing there. No care for guest.

we wanted dental kit in the morning 7 am. when we called the operator, it was delivered after 15-20 minutes. moreover there is no indication on telephone (one of two doesnt work), which number to dial. we guessed and dialed ZERO.

The worst is the restaurant. Dinner was horrible. not much option. taste wise worst. Avoid dinner at hotel if possible.

In the breakfast, the spread was OK. (but its half of what is available in duqm).

No toaster. the waiter out rightly rejected. when we approached the manager, he arranged to get the bread toasted. .

The efficiency of the staff make lots of difference. In duqm crowne plaza, the staff were inquiring whether we are travelling or not. when we said yes, they arrange some food packed for us for journey. In sohar, we inquired whether we can take some fruits for our journey. they refused that such facility is not available. Its OK. but the way they refused doesnt match with the efficiency of crowne plaza hotel.

At the time of checkout, we narrated our experience with the counter executive. He listened everything, but called his manager. We have to narrate our ordeal again in...