Where to stay in Oman (2023): 12 best areas + hotels

Where to stay in Oman  - Best areas summary & map

Where to stay in Oman - map

Below is a map to help you get oriented

Where to stay in Oman to get closer to nature and history? 

Some attractions also have accommodation options, such as: 

• Camps in Wahiba Sands Desert - see options
• Masirah island for beaches - see options
• Guesthouse in old villages such as Misfat al Abryeen - See Misfah guesthouse
• Hotels in the mountains of Jebel Shams - see options
• Resorts and hotels around the plateau of Jebel Akhdar - see options

More details further down in the article.

Best hotels in Oman

If you are less about the area and more about the quality of the hotel, here is a list of some of the best hotels in Oman.
My selection is independent. No hotel has paid to be included in this article.

• The Chedi Muscat
  Located by the beach in Muscat.
  It offers a sumptuous decor and a unique atmosphere with a modern version of local architecture
  - see photos and availability
• Six Senses Zighy Bay
  Located on the Musandam Peninsula, it offers a stunning architecture mixed with mountain and sea views
  - see photos and availability
• The Al Bustan Palace
  Luxury, sea, mountains... A wonderful place to stay with 1km of private beachfront
  - see photos and availability
• The Anantara Al Jabal Akhdar Resort
  a 5 star resort, on the rim of a canyon, with pools overlooking the mountains
  see photos and availability
• The Alila Jabal Akhdar
  The resort offers a stunning interior decor and all the amenities you could need while enjoying the mountain views
  - see photos and availability

Types of Accommodations in Oman

Hotels

You can find level of hotels from no start to luxury 5 stars.
They are mostly in the main cities and near some beaches.

Oman Guesthouses

• Mostly in small villages, guesthouses are a great way to discover Oman
• Less luxury but more connections
• One of the most famous is the Misfah Old house. Check it out in the suggestions below

AirBnB in Oman

• AirBnB is developing in Oman
• You can find listings. Originally most were to stay with expatriates living in Oman, but locals are doing it too now.

Permanent settlements

• In the deserts of Wahiba Sands and the Empty Quarter are permanent settlements that welcome travelers. 

Wild Camping in Oman

• There are no campsites in Oman but wild camping is allowed almost anywhere
• Check out my dedicated article about Wild Camping in Oman
• Near the beach, in the desert, or in the mountains... you can stay close to nature

Area 1 - Where to stay in Muscat

Why stay in Muscat

Muscat is the capital city of Oman.
It is also the largest city and it has a lot to offer: forts, souq, museums, beaches, the Grad Mosque, the Royal Opera...
The city is vibrant, but not overwhelming with old neighborhood nestled between bare hills
Plan at the very least one day in Muscat but 2 days is better.

The best areas in my opinion are: 

•  Al Qurum beach to enjoy evening walks on the sands,
• or in Muttrah for more traditional restaurant and experience 
• The cheaper options are in the Ruwi area.

Area 2 - Where to stay in Sur

Why stay in Sur?

Sur is a great location to stay for a couple of days.
You can relax at the beach and enjoy the laid-back feeling of the town.
It is a perfect location to visit:

• Wadi Shab
• Wadi Bani Khalid
• Wahiba sands
• The Turtle reserves 

Muscat to Sur = 2h30 drive

Area 3 - Where to stay in Nizwa

Why stay Nizwa?

Nizwa is the main city in the hinterlands.
It is very central to many attractions in the country such as

• Nizwa fort
• Bahla Fort
• Birkat al Mouz and the irrigation system
• Access to the mountains
• and so much more!

Muscat to Nizwa = 1h40 drive

Where to stay in Nizwa?

• The Intercity Hotel Nizwa Modern and full of amenities
  see photos and availability
• The Antique Inn with a lot of charm and a beautiful garden
  see photos and availability
• The Nima Guest House close to the Nizwa Fort
  see photos and availability
• The Pool Villa - Tanuf with your own outdoor pool
  see photos and availability

Why sleep in Wahiba Sands?

Sleeping in the desert is a wonderful experience, the quiet, the colors, the sky...
In Oman, it is easy to spend one night in Wahiba Sands even on a tour from Muscat.

Several permanent settlements welcome tourists. 

Wahiba Sands Camp Suggestion

One of the main Wahiba Sands Camps is the Desert Night Camp.

• Location: Like all settlements it is in one of the valleys between longitudinal sand dunes. So you need someone to take you around in the dunes
• State: As I was wild camping, I did not stay there but my guide had to discuss with them and I was able to tour the facilities. I really enjoyed their settings and the quality of the camp
• Check out photos and availabilities

Area 5 - Jebel Shams Resort - Oman grand canyon stay

Why stay at the top of the Oman Grand Canyon?

Known as the Arabian Grand Canyon, Jebel Shams Oman is a must visit in the Sultanate.
You can do it on a day tour from Muscat but an overnight stay at one of the Jebel Shams Resorts will give you more time to hike and enjoy the sunset and clear night sky.

Jebel Akdhar hotel Suggestion:

I stayed at the beautiful Sahab Resort and Spa not far from Diana's point.

• Location: Fantastic - amazing views of the mountains, the villages and plantations
• State: Clean. Very nice furniture. Good wifi. I was upgraded to one of rooms next to the pool. really nice. The jacuzzi has a fantastic view.
• Check-in: The staff was not the best I have seen but it was ok. Check in was a bit slow
• Breakfast: when they have a lot of people there is a buffet. But because we where not that many I had to order what I wanted. Food was OK.
• Check out photos and availabilities

Hamra Accommodation Suggestion:

Maybe the most famous guesthouse in Oman, the Misfah Old House is where I stayed near Al Hamra.
There are not many places to stay so it gets full quickly and you should book in advance. (Although surprisingly I was there on a rare day where we were just a few)

Area 9 - AL BATINAH - access to Daymanyiat islands

If you need to relax in luxury near the beach, there are many Oman hotels to satisfy your need on the coast.

On my last night I stayed at the Millennium Beach Resort Mussanah. It is a huge complex with big pool and its own Marina where you can depart to the Daymanyiat islands.

• Location: Very isolated but everything is available at the resort - several restaurants, spa, marina, pool etc.
• State: Luxurious. Good wifi. Like many resorts it likes character. It is a huge place with weddings and conferences... always busy.
• Check-in: No issues.
• Breakfast: I woke up very early to get back to Muscat and did not taste their breakfast.
• Check out photos and availabilities

Area 11 and 12 - Other regions - Salalah and Musandam Peninsula

Area 11 - Where to stay on the Musandam Peninsula

There is not a large choice of hotels in Musandam since many people do day tours from Dubai.

• One of the best rated accommodations is the Atana Musadam Resort.
  Guests appreciate the friendliness of the staff, the sea views and the pools as you can see in the picture above.
  See photos and availability
• Or consider the magnificent Six Senses Zighy Bay which offers a stunning architecture mixed with mountain and sea views
  - see photos and availability
• The main town in Khasab - see best rated accommodations

Area 12 - Where to stay in South Oman

The South of Oman is less visited that North.
It is a different experience but with similar landscapes. Here you can enjoy:

• the Frankinscense trees
• wadis
• beaches
• the Empty quarter desert
• and during the rainy season, all the greenery that appears!

The main town in Salalah - see best rated accommodations

FAQs

Is Oman a good place to stay? It is safe?

Oman is a great place to visit.
People are welcoming and it is one of the safest countries in the World for expats.
You will not find an accommodation offering like its neighboor, Dubai, but it has been able to keep in charm and not be overrun by tourism and modern expansion.

How many days are enough for Oman?

It really depends on what you want to see.
To enjoy all the highlights of Northern Oman, I think 10 days is a good timeframe.
However, if you want to head South or visit the Musandam Peninsula, you will need longer.
Learn more on my article about road tripping in Oman.

Want to see more of Oman?

• Best Things to do in Oman - read article
• Best of photos from Oman - Landscapes - read article
• Planning a road trip in Oman - read article
• Renting a car and Driving in Oman - read article
• Best Things to do in Muscat - read article
• The impressive Wadi Shab - read article
• The Bimmah Sinkhole - read article
• The desert of Wahiba Sands - read article
• The Ras Al Jinz turtle reserves - read article

Planning a trip to Oman?

Check out my travel guide to help you plan:

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