GONE: IC Al Ain Resort, United Arab Emirates (now Danat Resort Al Ain)
Sep 8, 2008, 3:22 am
#31
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: San Francisco & London
Programs: UA1k, Oneworld Sapphire, Hyatt Globalist, IHG DiamondAmb, Hilton Diamond, Marriott LTP,
Posts: 1,785
Sep 8, 2008, 3:24 am
#32
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: San Francisco & London
Programs: UA1k, Oneworld Sapphire, Hyatt Globalist, IHG DiamondAmb, Hilton Diamond, Marriott LTP,
Posts: 1,785
Any information on the Club level, does it include free cocktail hour?
What is the upgrade policy? Does it include club access?
Finally the minibar, does it include alcohol?
Sep 8, 2008, 3:27 am
#33
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: San Francisco & London
Programs: UA1k, Oneworld Sapphire, Hyatt Globalist, IHG DiamondAmb, Hilton Diamond, Marriott LTP,
Posts: 1,785
Sep 8, 2008, 8:21 am
#34
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Programs: Hilton, IHG - BA, GA, LH, QR, SV, TK
Posts: 17,008
Hi Navatwal - Al Bustan is the second IC in Oman. It's one of the "trophy" IC's, in much the way the Bali property is. It's certainly impressively sited, but rather isolated, and it attracts quite a number of well-heeled tour groups - which seemed predominantly Swiss and German when I was last there. The place has been through a long renovation, so should be in tip-top condition now. For me, isolation and tour groups are strong negatives, though they may not be for you - and car hire is readily available and not expensive in Oman.
Muscat's other IC is much more mainstream, leisure and business mix, with pools and health club and some good restaurants. It's on the beach on the way into town from the airport, with shops and restaurants within easy reach. It was my introduction to Six Continents, the forerunner of Ambassador, so perhaps I have a soft spot for it, but it continues to be one of my favourite ICs.
You could try them both!
Salalah is about an hour's flight - a long day's drive - from Muscat and has an HI recently turned CP. It's an interesting place to visit for a day or so.
El Ain is a joy to visit if you are coming from spending time in the traffic jam that is Dubai. The IC is quite low-key but comfortable enough.
Muscat's other IC is much more mainstream, leisure and business mix, with pools and health club and some good restaurants. It's on the beach on the way into town from the airport, with shops and restaurants within easy reach. It was my introduction to Six Continents, the forerunner of Ambassador, so perhaps I have a soft spot for it, but it continues to be one of my favourite ICs.
You could try them both!
Salalah is about an hour's flight - a long day's drive - from Muscat and has an HI recently turned CP. It's an interesting place to visit for a day or so.
El Ain is a joy to visit if you are coming from spending time in the traffic jam that is Dubai. The IC is quite low-key but comfortable enough.
Sep 8, 2008, 10:06 am
#35
Join Date: Feb 2007
Programs: IC Royal Ambassador, SPG Platinum, HH Gold, BA Gold, Flying Blue Platinum
Posts: 767
Saw IC Abu Dhabi while it was being renovated. Director of Sales told me that RAs would get junior suite and club access. Saw some club rooms, which looked very nice. Club lounge is quite large with great sea/harbour views.
Have not yet stayed, as I have not been back in Abu Dhabi since it reopened.
Hope this is helpful.
Sep 15, 2008, 4:13 pm
#36
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Newcastle, England
Programs: BA Exec Silver, Virgin Flying Club Silver, ICH Royal Ambassador
Posts: 93
Stayed al Al Ain for 5 days in the sun as an RA.
Got treated like a sultan with a great suite and well looked after. It's a tired property but pleasant enough and not too much to do once you've seen the mall, the fort and the camel market.
Heat like an inferno and nice pool and reasonable food. I got it super cheap and at the price had no complaints.
Got treated like a sultan with a great suite and well looked after. It's a tired property but pleasant enough and not too much to do once you've seen the mall, the fort and the camel market.
Heat like an inferno and nice pool and reasonable food. I got it super cheap and at the price had no complaints.
Oct 24, 2008, 4:56 am
#37
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: San Francisco & London
Programs: UA1k, Oneworld Sapphire, Hyatt Globalist, IHG DiamondAmb, Hilton Diamond, Marriott LTP,
Posts: 1,785
In regards to the IC Abu Dhabi,
I have decided to saty here and have a stay coming up soon. I am a RA and was wodnering on:
What is the upgrade policy like at this hotel, do you get club access and do you get a proper well-stocked minibar?
Many thanks.
I have decided to saty here and have a stay coming up soon. I am a RA and was wodnering on:
What is the upgrade policy like at this hotel, do you get club access and do you get a proper well-stocked minibar?
Many thanks.
Jun 18, 2011, 11:39 pm
#39
Join Date: Oct 2010
Programs: IC RA, PC Platinum, Hyatt Diamond, LH HON, FB Platinum, EK Gold
Posts: 11
Unfortunately I had to learn that Al Ain is not part of IHG anymore 
See also: http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/interco...sort-locations
See also: http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/interco...sort-locations
Jun 19, 2011, 12:09 am
#40
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Dubai
Programs: SPG Plat, IHG Spire, HHonors Diamond, EK Gold
Posts: 213
Property is now the Danat Resort Al Ain, which is an in house brand of the property's owners (National Corporation for Tourism & Hotels). They also own the IC Abu Dhabi so hope that doesn't change brand anytime soon. IC Al Ain was never a top quality IC but used it a few times as a cost effective weekend getaway.
Of the other hotels in Al Ain, I have stayed in the Hilton, Grand Mercure, and Rotana, and would probably rate the Rotana as the best property. Grand Mercure has a great location looking over Al Ain from Jebel Hafeet but the hotel itself is pretty mediocre. The Hilton is a little tired and the service is often slow but it is not sufficiently below the standard of the other properties in town that I would avoid it if I had any allegiance to Hilton.
Muscat is a 3-4 hour drive from the Buraimi crossing on the outskirts of Al Ain if you take the faster route along the coast. There is also the option to take the longer route over the mountains (6-7 hours), which goes via Nizwa, Bahla Fort, and Al Hotta Cave.
Of the other hotels in Al Ain, I have stayed in the Hilton, Grand Mercure, and Rotana, and would probably rate the Rotana as the best property. Grand Mercure has a great location looking over Al Ain from Jebel Hafeet but the hotel itself is pretty mediocre. The Hilton is a little tired and the service is often slow but it is not sufficiently below the standard of the other properties in town that I would avoid it if I had any allegiance to Hilton.
Muscat is a 3-4 hour drive from the Buraimi crossing on the outskirts of Al Ain if you take the faster route along the coast. There is also the option to take the longer route over the mountains (6-7 hours), which goes via Nizwa, Bahla Fort, and Al Hotta Cave.
Jun 19, 2011, 2:56 am
#41
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Programs: Hilton, IHG - BA, GA, LH, QR, SV, TK
Posts: 17,008
Car to Muscat can be compicated, and more expensive, if you rent in UAE (insurance/documentation). Last time a friend in MCT arranged a car for us over the border in Buraimi: we crossed the border by taxi, picked up the car, then took the inland, mountain road, stopping overnight in Nizwa: great fun! Other times I have taken the Buraimi Muscat bus, or driven with a car picked up at DXB. The bus a comfortable, cost effective alternative!
Last edited by IAN-UK; Jun 19, 2011 at 2:58 am Reason: oops just seen the posts about brand-shift. Very sad!