Fodor's Expert Review Crowne Plaza Muscat

Built to look like a cruise ship, the iconic Crowne Plaza sits high on a hill in the posh neighborhood of Qurum Heights, overlooking the sea and the twinkling lights of the city below. Though it is one of the older hotels in Muscat, the rooms were renovated in 2014 and are clean and modern with nice touches like universal outlets on the bedside tables and gorgeous walk-in rain showers in the bathrooms. Sea-view rooms are well worth the slightly higher price, as without the view the rooms might be a bit bland. The grounds feature tennis courts and swimming pools overlooking the sea, and a long staircase leads down to a very private beach. The casual pool and seaside restaurant-bar have consistently good sandwiches and salads, and the property's Persian restaurant, Shiraz, is excellent. The hotel is also home to the most popular English-stye pub in the city, which hosts Tuesday night quiz competitions that draw a lively group of expats and locals.