How about a Middle East vacation to a place with diversified climatic conditions? I’m talking about beaches, deserts, lush green hills, and waterfalls, all in one place!
I’m sure you’re wide-eyed with surprise at the moment. But let me tell you that such places do exist on Earth, and Salalah is one of them.
Located on the Arabian Sea coast (where the Arabian peninsula meets the Indian Ocean), Salalah is Oman’s third-largest city. Relatively mild and dry during the winter, during the summer monsoon, also known as Khareef in Arabic, it transforms into a rain-soaked forest shrouded in fog.
Experiencing this unique ecological habitat of the coastal fog in the desert is one of the most unique things to do in Oman and along the Arabian Peninsula!
The perfect place for both an intriguing experience, sightseeing and beachside relaxation, here are the best family resorts we’ve found for a family trip to Salalah, Oman.
1. Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara
Al Baleed is a luxury beach resort in Salalah that not only overlooks the beach but also offers a stunning view of the freshwater lagoon! It is famous for being one of the hotels in the area with a swimming pool.
Talking of the design, you’ll find the most intricately designed rooms, with contemporary furnishings, yet everything resonates with the regional culture. It has 136 rooms and several villas and pool villas, apart from a 250-meter private beach, an infinity pool, and a lagoon with various water sports.
If you’re done with water activities, you can head over to the Al Baleed Archaeological Park or the Museum of the Land of Frankincense to explore the ruins and learn about the region’s history.
No trip is complete without delicious cuisines! Visit the Mekong for the best Southeast Asian food, or go to Al Mina to enjoy fresh Mediterranian dishes.
What Does it Cost to Stay at Al Baleed Resort?
Depending on the type of room you’re staying in, the view, and the meals included, the cost of staying at Al Baleed can range anything from $350USD to $600USD. However, if you stay in a villa, the price can be between $590USD to $6500USD, depending on the number of bedrooms.
Check price and availability on booking.com
2. Hilton Salalah Resort
The Hilton Salalah Resort is a great choice if you’re looking for an extravagant getaway. Located on the beachfront, this high-end beach resort is one of only a few 5-star luxury hotel in Salalah.
With a palm tree-lined swimming pool complete with a water slide, staying at this hotel will truly be a memorable experience. And, if you have children, it’s even better, as the kid’s area is the perfect place for your kids to enjoy and have a great time. What else can you do at this resort? You can play tennis and try out new diving moves at the seasonal diving center. Plus, the hotel provides its own shuttle service to Salalah downtown, Al Haffa Souk, and the airport.
It has 147 state-of-the-art rooms with air conditioning, a minibar, and maid service. Also, if you’re craving some Asian and Arabic cuisine, you can visit the Palm Grove Restaurant inside the hotel. But that’s not all! There’s also a steakhouse and an all-day restaurant with an international buffet.
What Does it Cost to Stay at Hilton Salalah?
If you get a Superior Room with 2 twin beds, the charges are $95USD per night. However, the prices go up if you choose suites or executive rooms, depending on the available facilities and view. Also, kids 17 and under stay for free if they share a bed with their parents. But if you request extra bedding, there will be additional charges.
Check price and availability on booking.com
3. Crowne Plaza Resort Salalah
Now, if staying near the beach is not your thing, you can opt for the Crowne Plaza Resort, located 4 minutes away from the beach. It is surrounded by 42 acres of flourishing gardens for a breathtaking view each morning.
The hotel has 3 interconnecting outdoor swimming pools with a stellar view of the ocean and sandy beach. You can also enjoy a relaxing massage at the spa and wellness center, while your kids can have fun in the playground or get amused by the hotel’s children’s entertaining team. The lush gardens consist of a 9-hole golf course, a tennis court, and a squash court.
In-house restaurants at Crowne Plaza include Darbat, where you can taste the local specialties. Then there’s the Ocean Blue Beach House that serves the best international cuisine. And, if you’re in the mood for a chilled drink, the pool bar has a variety of cocktails for you.
What Does it Cost to Stay at Hilton Crowne Plaza Resort?
The Crowne Plaza Resort has 153 rooms with premium bedding and luxury furniture. A standard bedroom starts at $138USD, and additional costs are added if you opt for a premium bedroom or a suite, depending on the number of bedrooms, view, and smoking preferences.
Check price and availability on booking.com
4. Salalah Rotana Resort
The Salalah Rotana Resort is known for its amazing architecture and hospitable staff. This beachfront resort has a magnificent view of the ocean, the nearby lagoons, manmade canals, and gardens. In short, you can experience it all at the Rotana!
The hotel has two outdoor swimming pools, a body fitness and wellness club, tennis courts, a spa, and the main attraction, Flipper’s, a fun kids club for your little ones.
The resort comprises 422 deluxe guest rooms and suites with picture-worthy views of the surrounding attractions. All the rooms are elegantly furnished and have all the basic amenities, including a flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi, a minibar, and a coffee maker.
The Rotana has 6 in-house restaurants, including the all-day restaurant Saffron, the Club Rotana Restaurant for seafood specialties, the Silk Road for Far East cuisine, and the Arabesque Lounge for snacks and beverages. You can get exquisite tropical drinks at the Beach Bar and Coco-Shack Bar to sip while basking in the sun.
What Does it Cost to Stay at Salalah Rotana Resort?
The pricing at the Salalah Rotana Resort starts from $90USD and goes up to $500USD depending on the type of room you book and the facilities you avail.
Check price and availability on booking.com
5. Fanar Hotel and Residences
Built on a private beach, the Fanar Hotel and Residences is one of the best hotels in Salalah. It has 400 spacious and well-decorated rooms, with air conditioning, a minibar, a coffee maker, a private balcony, and a walk-in rain-water shower.
This amazing beach resort has ample facilities for the guests, including access to the private beach, spa, sauna, and an outdoor swimming pool. There’s a separate kiddy pool, kids club, and a playground for the kids.
For added fun, you can also go fishing, snorkeling, boating, canoeing, and diving, with all the equipment provided by the resort.
After a fun-filled day, you can go to the hotel’s in-house restaurant, Souk, for international cuisine or order from the comfort of your room from a wide range of dishes. All-in-all, your stay at the Fanar Hotel and Residences will be a memorable one!
What Does it Cost to Stay at Fanar Hotel and Residences?
The cost of staying at the Fanar Hotel and Residences starts from $103USD per night if you book a deluxe room. For rooms with a view of the lagoon or ocean, you get to pay additional charges.
Check price and availability on booking.com
Salalah Resorts for Families
Salalah is a coastal desert with lush green gardens and many lagoons for a refreshing vacation. Although you will find many places to stay in Salalah, we have put together the best beach resorts in Salalah for a comfortable, luxurious, and fun-filled family experience that will offer that little something extra.
However, if you’re looking for some pocket-friendly options, you can also stay at Haffa House, Al Jabal Hotel, and Star House. They may not have the facilities like the ones in the resorts mentioned above, but your stay will be quite comfortable, and you can access all the best that Salalah and the Dhofar province of Oman has to offer.
See more Salalah Accommodation options, including rental properties, here:
So, book your hotels, pack your bags, and get ready to have the time of your life in Salalah, Oman!
Things to know when Booking Oman Hotels & Resorts
- You will need your passport to check-in (don’t worry, you should have this for border crossing too!)
- You are in Oman so expect to be paying in OMR at the hotel, including any taxes or charges for extra bedding, food and drink bills.
- Taxes of 17% are added to quoted prices.
Getting to Salalah
Salalah is quite isolated to other parts on the Middle East. Whilst it is accessible by road from Muscat or Dubai/Abu Dhabi in the UAE, it’s a substantial drive that you may not want to tackle with kids:
- Muscat to Salalah 1017 kms/9 hours 30 minutes
- Nizwa to Salalah 876 kms/8 hours 30 minutes
- Abu Dhabi/Dubai to Salalah 1,230 kms/12 hours 30 minutes
Your best approach is to fly to Salalah International Airport (SLL). There are frequent flights from Muscat with Oman Air and Salam Air. In the khareef season, you will also find an increased flight schedule from other parts of the Middle East, including the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
From the airport to most of the resorts is a 15 to 30-minute taxi ride, or you can organise transfers with your hotel.
You can find our complete guide to road tripping Muscat to Salalah here – including our preferred coastal route for the best scenery!
More on Salalah & Oman
If you’re planning a trip to Oman, you may also be interested in:
- Sensational tourist spots you’ll want to visit in Salalah
- The best times of year for visiting Salalah
- Visit the historic capital of Oman, Nizwa
- Best places to stay on the Musandam Peninsular
- Best Muscat Resorts & Family-Friendly Accommodation
- Family-friendly highlights tour of Oman
- Best of Muscat with Kids
- What to wear in Oman; dress code advice for all the family
Have you stayed at any of these Salalah resorts with your family? We would love to hear more about your experiences and what special facilities they have for the kids.
Comment below or join the conversation on our Family Travel in the Middle East Facebook group.
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