After a long drive from Dubai via Hatta, we arrived quite late in the afternoon only to find that our room was not ready for occupancy. Seeing that we were slightly annoyed by this, the Guest Relations Manager stepped and smoothed things over. The accommodation was very good, breakfast included in the room rate was more than adequate, and each restuatant we tried in the hotel was very good, especially the staff. Would highly recommend it.

As mentioned in other review here, the old Intercon is really looking very worn around the edges, especially in the rooms.
Now i undertsand that the hotel is 30-ish years old (if in doubt, have a look at the bathrooms, i would say unchanged since it was built) but as a 5 star upscale hotel managed by a supposedly leading hotel management company the whole property is a major let down.
Public areas are well maintained if a little dated, but it's the rooms that are the real problem here.
On the plus side they are very spacious, and thats about it.
decor is very worn, dated and ugly.
Not only was the bathroom very dated (blue floor tiles), but it wasn't as clean as i would have liked, limescale and grime on the shower and basin taps, stained shower curtain, peeling paint.
These are the most basic of maintainance and housekeeping concerns of a supposed 5 star hotel, yet the Intercon Muscat failed by a long shot here.
On a more positive the note, the health club is large and well equiped. it is in a different building by the resort style and more attractive of the two pools. i would guess that this building (that also houses two f&b outlets and the pool are newewr additions to the origional hotel.
As mentioned in other reviews the hotel is located directly on the beach, yet there is no beach view or outlook from the gardens or either pool.
The staff, especially the local omanis were delightful and helpful. there were some other staff in the buffet cafe and front desk that may have been Eastern European who less friendly and more abrupt.
Muscat is a lovely place, and i'd love to return and enjoy the city agin one day. Not at the Inercon however.
The Shangri-la complex while quite a distance away gets my vote!

Stayed 4 nights in October 2007 for vacation. Rooms are very dated, especially the bathroom with cracked grouting around the tub, old style, nearly non functioning hair dryer,(request another from the front desk) and a medicine style cabinet. Our "mountain view" room was over A/C units and concrete slabs and the balcony had pealing paint. Brought our concerns to the front desk and was told "It's an old hotel, nearly 30 years...due to be closed and redone next year." Asked to have the manager on duty contact us; he never did. Learned that the hotel will be closed in 2008, but since two other major hotels are currently being redone, the Intercon remained open. Other than the front desk, staff was helpful. Grounds also appear tired and dated, especially around the swimming pool where they were replacing the astro turf, thus closing a large portion of the pool area for two days. Yes, the Intercon is on the beach, but there are no facilities ie., chairs, etc on the beach, thus no one uses it and women will feel uncomfortable there, as it's a public area. Food was good and the Pub was very lively (liquor is only served in large hotels and some restaurants) . There is a small shopping mall next door to the hotel with 3 coffee shops, two small restaurants (no alcohol) and a drycleaner (the hotel drycleaner is very expensive) and several retail shops. Nothing else is close by, taxis are necessary to go into Muscat center and the historical area by the souq. Did book via the hotel a "sunset cruise" which turned out to be just my husband and I on a small boat, touring the coast line; very enjoyable, except our driver from the tour company (hotel) was an hour late picking us up. Would also recommend a 1/2 hour stop at the Grand Mosque on your way to the airport; it's open to visitors between 8-11 am. The Intercon needs a facelift, so if you are expecting their usual 5 star property, I won't recommend it now, check back in 2009!

I only had an overnight stop in Muscat for business. The hotel seemed more geared to vacation travel than business travel and I felt out of place in the breakfast room next to all the people wearing swimwear. For business though, the Internet worked and check-in was seamless, and Priority points were earned.

I could not get the heat to go above 22C in the room. It was cold and I was cold. I'm staying here again in March and I hope it's warmer. I've been told the pool facilities are nice but I don't have the time to check them out. The rooms are clean and quiet and at the end of a long work day, that's always a good thing.