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Originally Posted by EuropeanPete
(Post 31772896)
All though, though in the Middle East specifically if you suspect either subterfuge or incompetence in these matters you will rarely be caught by surprise.
Here now. Got an e-mail from my wonderful Ambassador who told me she snagged me an upgrade - to a Marvelous Suite, I wonder how given the hotel was full [eye roll] - as well as a gift of red wine which wasn’t in the room. I asked the reception about it, and they were all scattered about my Ambassador arrangements. Check-in was fine aside from the fact that I wasn’t told about anything like when breakfast is from, when the pool was open etc. - just that the hotel has a fabulous new Buddha Bar offshoot. Welcome amenity is points OR breakfast OR welcome gift. No Plat benefits like drinks or a happy hour, and the WIP Lounge is out to lunch while they figure out how to handle or market it. Marriott: all they do is take, take, take away. At least the property is gorgeous, I suppose. khabah |
Originally Posted by khabah
(Post 31775173)
No Plat benefits like drinks or a happy hour, and the WIP Lounge is out to lunch while they figure out how to handle or market it.
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Originally Posted by escape4
(Post 31776445)
When W Amman was new, at least they provided free happy hour in the bar while waiting for WIP lounge to open, so it was a decent substitute. Thumbs down to W Muscat for not providing an alternative. I guess we will get a better offering by waiting for the lounge to be open so I will not rush to this resort...
Bummer the Grand Hyatt is such a dump, otherwise between their beachfront location and good service, they’d make a great option in the city. khabah |
Originally Posted by khabah
(Post 31777286)
W Amman still offers a complimentary alternative in their Aura Bar with some hot dishes and a set menu of beverages, as well as throws in breakfast in addition to points for Plats and above. I know it’s not a W standard to have a lounge, but I can’t help but feel that this hotel was very stingy particularly after being spoiled by other Ws in the region [Doha, Amman, even Dubai]. I read reviews online of how the hotel comped breakfast and rounds of drinks for top-end elites to make them feel special, but I was offered zero at check-in. The property itself is gorgeous and vastly ups the game in Muscat, but agreed, I won’t be rushing back.
Bummer the Grand Hyatt is such a dump, otherwise between their beachfront location and good service, they’d make a great option in the city. khabah My girlfriend wanted a "make a wish" cocktail.. barmans response.. "Sorry we cannot make that, we have no balloons". Can she not have it without the balloon? "I am not sure let me ask the manager"... I would give it at least a year before trying this hotel out... |
I’m still ready to fight with them ! 😃
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Originally Posted by Will08
(Post 31792242)
This sums up this hotel perfectly - all the gear no idea. Incompetent staff throughout the hotel, often rude if you ask them a simple question. No only is the lounge not complete but also the Bhudda bar has not been finished off. There is a pool there but it is not ready to use, don't even bother to ask when it will be ready...!
My girlfriend wanted a "make a wish" cocktail.. barmans response.. "Sorry we cannot make that, we have no balloons". Can she not have it without the balloon? "I am not sure let me ask the manager"... I would give it at least a year before trying this hotel out...
khabah |
Originally Posted by khabah
(Post 31792671)
I finished my stay up and have some more to add:
khabah I also agree with your point that there is no consistent training among staff, I learnt to always ask 2-3 people there the same question as you always get a different answer. Just went to Asia last week and stayed there in a resort, complete different picture in terms of staff. It was like Heaven. |
Beautiful hotel in terms of rooms, overall build and pool which is really phenomenal. Here is what I'd keep in mind. Currently in Muscat there is limited choice if you want a high end modern property, the Chedi is getting dated and is on another level (luxury) compared to the W. The Ritz Carlton is also much better and has a really lovely beach which the W does not but is also on a different level of luxury than the W.
If you look at the competing hotels like the IC next door comparison are laughable. The IC looks like an ugly parking garage that should be torn down and the interior doesn't seem updated since the 1980's. I would not go to the W for amazing service but for the amazing hard product and keep my expectations in check. I also didnt think the food was anything great. Breakfast was just ok in terms of quality and because of that I so no need to try anything else during my last stay a few months ago. Other posters mention that the service from Omani staff is lacking - there is a simple explanation for that, they cant be deported or treated as modern day slaves like the foreign workers who are under a microscope and poor conditions all over the region. I thought the GM was from the W Doha so hopefully things will improve. |
Originally Posted by Fly_IAD
(Post 31795597)
Beautiful hotel in terms of rooms, overall build and pool which is really phenomenal. Here is what I'd keep in mind. Currently in Muscat there is limited choice if you want a high end modern property, the Chedi is getting dated and is on another level (luxury) compared to the W. The Ritz Carlton is also much better than the W (and the Chedi for that matter) but also on a different level of luxury than the W. If you look at the competing hotels like the IC next door comparison are laughable. The IC looks like an ugly parking garage that should be torn down and the interior doesn't seem updated since the 1980's.
I would not go to the W for amazing service but for the amazing hard product and keep my expectations in check. I also didnt think the food was anything great. Breakfast was just ok in terms of quality and because of that I so no need to try anything else during my last stay a few months ago. Other posters mention that the service from Omani staff is lacking - there is a simple explanation for that, they cant be deported or treated as modern day slaves like the foreign workers who are under a microscope and poor conditions all over the region. I thought the GM was from the W Doha so hopefully things will improve. I have recently stayed at both the IC next door and the W. Whilst the W is difficult to beat for its' hard product, personally for over all experience I would stay at the IC. Yes the building looks very dated on the outside and is of course not comparable to the W, which is obviously brand new. However, the IC is going through extensive room renovations and the ones that are ready are pretty decent, plus there is a lounge, plus there are staff that actually understand customer service. It is a shame that the W now blocks the view of sunrise for the sea view rooms in the IC. Unfortunately, due to the nature of the clientele the W attracts, there is always going to be a better view around the pool of the W over the IC! |
Originally Posted by Will08
(Post 31795886)
I have recently stayed at both the IC next door and the W. Whilst the W is difficult to beat for its' hard product, personally for over all experience I would stay at the IC. Yes the building looks very dated on the outside and is of course not comparable to the W, which is obviously brand new. However, the IC is going through extensive room renovations and the ones that are ready are pretty decent, plus there is a lounge, plus there are staff that actually understand customer service. It is a shame that the W now blocks the view of sunrise for the sea view rooms in the IC.
Unfortunately, due to the nature of the clientele the W attracts, there is always going to be a better view around the pool of the W over the IC! Your points about the IC make a lot of sense if if I were to think about being in Muscat for business and didnt care about swish new rooms, beautiful pool and overall new property. I could see the IC service being much stronger given how established it is as one of the original Muscat high end hotels. Am sure it probably has a very decent business lounge for working at night. I simply wouldn't be able to trade the lovely hard product of the W for the IC in its current state for my needs. The pool at the IC is like some YMCA concrete public kids pool situation in the USA from the 1970's so no wonder you find the pool view better at the W - clientele aside! Have only been to visit friends at the Sheraton but my sense is that is a pretty solid Bonvoy property and a good deal that would be a place for business travelers who care less about nice pool or the most modern rooms vs a established service and a quiet business lounge. It will be very interesting to see what the soon to open JW Muscat is like! Frankly, I do not really see a reason to stay at any of the hotels in Muscat - W included - if you can get Ritz Al Bustan Palace on points or if the price is comparable. If the Ritz wasnt available and I was wanting to spend Bonvoy points I would return to the W for sure but have low expectations for service. My reason for returning to the W in such a case would solely be for the modern product and the great resort type pool (open 24 hours or so I was told and currently seems the largest in Muscat). I would not bother with dining (sure I'd have breakfast but with basic expectations in the same way I would with most high end hotels in the USA) or even try the spa. It is also not my scene compared to the more traditional luxury of the Ritz if that makes sense. I felt that the scene at the W was hip younger single crowd that enjoyed the club like atmosphere late into the night (nothing wrong with that at all of course). The Ritz had some of the same crowd but maybe felt more subdued and also more family friendly which is important to me. Speaking of the Ritz Al Bustan Palace, I was really surprised by my initial stays. I think it is one of the strongest Ritz Carlton's anywhere (certainly without compare in MENA) with a fabulous pool, stunning beach (probably the best in the region outside of the lovelier beaches elsewhere in Oman), recently renovated rooms (granted they could be nice rooms in a Ritz pretty much anywhere so not a huge sense of place) and one of the most incredible lobbies you'll ever see. It is a historic building and definitely different, with sprawling manicured grounds and breathtaking views. Service at the Ritz is polished and they have a lovely, extremely experienced GM. Spa at the Ritz incidentally is also great (Six Senses) and I am not a spa person as find the treatments at hotel spas are often delivered by staff with low skills for ridiculous prices compared to a professional masseuse. |
Originally Posted by Fly_IAD
(Post 31797446)
Your points about the IC make a lot of sense if if I were to think about being in Muscat for business and didnt care about swish new rooms, beautiful pool and overall new property. I could see the IC service being much stronger given how established it is as one of the original Muscat high end hotels. Am sure it probably has a very decent business lounge for working at night. I simply wouldn't be able to trade the lovely hard product of the W for the IC in its current state for my needs. The pool at the IC is like some YMCA concrete public kids pool situation in the USA from the 1970's so no wonder you find the pool view better at the W - clientele aside!
Have only been to visit friends at the Sheraton but my sense is that is a pretty solid Bonvoy property and a good deal that would be a place for business travelers who care less about nice pool or the most modern rooms vs a established service and a quiet business lounge. It will be very interesting to see what the soon to open JW Muscat is like! Frankly, I do not really see a reason to stay at any of the hotels in Muscat - W included - if you can get Ritz Al Bustan Palace on points or if the price is comparable. If the Ritz wasnt available and I was wanting to spend Bonvoy points I would return to the W for sure but have low expectations for service. My reason for returning to the W in such a case would solely be for the modern product and the great resort type pool (open 24 hours or so I was told and currently seems the largest in Muscat). I would not bother with dining (sure I'd have breakfast but with basic expectations in the same way I would with most high end hotels in the USA) or even try the spa. It is also not my scene compared to the more traditional luxury of the Ritz if that makes sense. I felt that the scene at the W was hip younger single crowd that enjoyed the club like atmosphere late into the night (nothing wrong with that at all of course). The Ritz had some of the same crowd but maybe felt more subdued and also more family friendly which is important to me. Speaking of the Ritz Al Bustan Palace, I was really surprised by my initial stays. I think it is one of the strongest Ritz Carlton's anywhere (certainly without compare in MENA) with a fabulous pool, stunning beach (probably the best in the region outside of the lovelier beaches elsewhere in Oman), recently renovated rooms (granted they could be nice rooms in a Ritz pretty much anywhere so not a huge sense of place) and one of the most incredible lobbies you'll ever see. It is a historic building and definitely different, with sprawling manicured grounds and breathtaking views. Service at the Ritz is polished and they have a lovely, extremely experienced GM. Spa at the Ritz incidentally is also great (Six Senses) and I am not a spa person as find the treatments at hotel spas are often delivered by staff with low skills for ridiculous prices compared to a professional masseuse. The IC was horribly disappointing. |
I have just been pre upgraded from basic room to Fabulous one (same room but sea front) on my next 3 nights stay in 2 days.
I hoped to be upgraded at suite ...as Tit member. and no W lounge open yet, unfortunately |
Yesterday I got message from the W Muscat Insider, Ms. Pamela and I told her any suite upgrade would be appreciated (booked basic room, 1 night with points + 2 nights payed in advance months ago)
checked in 2 hours ago, upgraded at Fantastic Suite (Junior Suite, sea front) for what I have just seen, the hotel seems itself very nice and “fashion”. more photos and review will come this is the Fantastic suite https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...d7a760558.jpeg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...8c8904876.jpeg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...d3495db82.jpeg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...5a9a3ed77.jpeg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...234e19b96.jpeg |
Got also welcome dessert
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...135244fb9.jpeg breakfast is included as plat or above benefit confirmed also for late check out at 4.00 PM the day of departure |
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