OYO 137 Marina Hotel — Hotel in Muscat

MARINA HOTEL REVIEW

This hotel ranks among the most lamentable accommodations I've ever experienced. Initially enticed by its promising location, with price as a secondary consideration, I found myself overlooking the entrance hall's resemblance to a dilapidated Wild West brothel. I convinced myself that it was a deliberate choice in scenography, seeking to infuse a sense of local color. Little did I anticipate that the rooms would exceed the dubious charm of the lobby.

Upon swinging open the door, an assault on the senses commenced— a blend of insecticides and the acrid remnants of cigarettes that had embedded themselves in the walls. My quest for a functional electrical socket proved to be an ordeal, with the grimy state of the outlets making me wary of even laying a finger on them. My anticipation of a picturesque sunrise over the harbor was dashed when I encountered a window resembling a mesh-covered shooting hole, practically sealed with layers of pigeon droppings, limiting the influx of fresh air.

Through the perforations in this avian mosaic, a faint view of the harbor, royal yachts, the old town, the minaret, and the encircling mountains emerged—an unexpected marvel amidst the disheartening circumstances. However, any semblance of optimism was squashed when I unearthed cockroaches emerging from beneath the peeling wallpaper in what can only be described as a dark cell posing as a restroom.

It seemed the insects had grown impervious to the pervasive stench, indifferent to the discomfort plaguing the hotel guests. To compound the ordeal, a raucous party unfolded on one of the upper floors, with the relentless beat of Indian drums echoing into the night. The clamor only relented at dawn, coinciding with the departure of inebriated revelers, who reveled in revving their engines in the brisk morning air.

Morning found me departing in frustration, cursing my misfortune. Despite a reservation for an extended stay, I vowed never to set foot in this...

I paid 25 Riyals without breakfast as the walk in rate for what is likely one of their 2-3 best rooms, #301, a corner room with views of the harbor on two sides. The place is a bit of a dive, with sewage smells coming from the bathroom (keep the door closed to avoid gagging), but nice linens, free WiFi in the rooms and cleanliness I’d rate at a step or two above borderline. ||All that being said, as an older male solo traveler, I was comfortable extending my stay — although I’m not sure I’d afflict it on my wonderful and obviously smarter wife, who was luxuriating in a lovely Euro 225 hôtel in Paris at the time! On my two weekend nights at the Marina, I was grateful for my sound reducing headphones, as the basement nightclub with girlie dancers in glittering pantaloon outfits and a transfixed audience of male Indian expatriate workers wasting their hard earned pay, throbbed with heavy base from 10 pm until at least 2 pm, even four floors up. ||I didn’t try the restaurant for breakfast, but I must say that the rate, sautéed tuna I had for dinner one night was among the most delicious plates of food I’ve had in my life, that I would be delighted to receive in a Michelin started restaurant in France. Skip the French fries in favor of rice or salad; enjoy nice beers for...

Overall an extremely poor experience. AC didn't work, there was extremely loud music until 3am on both nights, cockroach found in bathroom, balcony/window covered in pigeon poo so couldn't even get fresh air (pigeon poo is very dangerous and can cause a variety of diseases), using some power sockets made the lights flicker, there as no toilet paper provided, only 1 towel, wardrobe door was broken, the only bedding was a stained fluffy blanket without a top bed sheet, TV didn't work. On the second night I asked the manager to turn down the music, but they didn't bother. Given the price I wasn't expecting much, but this was generally awful, and would NOT recommend anyone stay here.||I tried very hard to find good things; the bottom sheet clean, soap and shampoo provided, complimentary bottle of water each, and morning papers downstairs.||We stayed at this hotel in a twin room in...