Rotana Salalah Resort Oman

During Eid in June, we decided to escape the heat of Dubai with a quick trip to Salalah in Oman. The temperatures there seemed promising, and the idea of greenery and waterfalls just a short flight away was always intriguing. This time of year is considered low season in Oman due to higher humidity compared to the winter months, which means lower rates for resorts and flights.

Since we planned to stay for just three days, we chose the Rotana Salalah Resort, conveniently located only half an hour from the airport. It boasted a few unique features like its close proximity to Wadi Darbat (the famous waterfalls in Salalah) and a nearby waterpark that was free for resort guests.

I absolutely loved the Arabic architecture throughout the resort and its rooms, the incredible beach that seemed to stretch on forever, and the outstanding hospitality from not only the hotel staff but every single person we met in Salalah.

We stayed in one of the family rooms, which was cozy and spacious. It had a double bed and two extra rollaway beds, giving us all plenty of comfortable space to sleep.

Since we visited during Eid, the resort felt wonderfully relaxed. There weren't many guests, making it seem like we had the place to ourselves.

The all-day dining restaurant, Saffron, offered a great selection of international and Arabic dishes. We also enjoyed the Beach Bar and Restaurant and the à la carte Thai and Asian restaurant, Silk Road. Rotana is known for its excellent dining options, and our stay at Rotana Salalah only reinforced that impression.

Aside from two stretches of one of the most beautiful beaches I've seen in a while, we spent time at the hotel pool and the charming, albeit aged, kids club. The highlight for us, however, was the waterpark, just a 5-minute shuttle bus ride away and available to guests for free.

Hawana Waterpark had a fantastic selection of pools, slides, and play areas. Unlike the huge waterparks in Dubai, this one had a cozy feel and, while it had plenty of adrenaline-inducing rides, it was more catered towards younger children. During our visits, it never felt crowded, and there were no lines for any of the rides. The staff throughout the waterpark were kind, helpful, and paid close attention to safety measures.

Instead of booking a tour to see Wadi Darbat, we rented a car from the hotel for 200 AED per day, giving us the flexibility to explore on our own. The famous waterfall area is only 30 minutes from the resort, an easy drive made entertaining by the numerous camel herds casually strolling along the streets. Once we reached the mountainside, we were surprised by the lush greenery, despite it being the dry season.

We had been told that Wadi Darbat might not hold much water during this time of year, but we still had a wonderful time walking around the wadi, discovering 'hidden' caves only exposed when water levels are low, and enjoying the interesting flora and fauna around us. Wild donkeys and camels grazed along the river, adding to the charm.

We had an absolutely wonderful staycation and wished we could have spent more time in Salalah. It’s such a beautiful place with lush nature, kind people, and rich cultural heritage, all so close to home.