If you want to see Green Turtles nesting in Oman then a visit to Ras Al Jinz is likely on your bucketlist. But it’s off the beaten track in terms of well-known hotel chains. So what is the best place to stay in Ras Al Jinz?
*This post contains affiliate links*
Before our visit to the turtle reserve I’d gathered lots of tips from friends who had been before us. The two main options were to stay in the tents or rooms at Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve or the eco lodges at SAMA Ras Al Jinz Resort close by.
After hearing a few stories of sleepless nights in the turtle reserve’s exposed tents, I checked out SAMA Ras Al Jinz. Happily, booking two rooms for our family of four worked out cheaper than the nature reserve.
We enjoyed our stay so much that we returned a couple of months later and booked the luxury lodge, which could accommodate us all.
But was this really the best place to stay in Ras Al Jinz? Here’s our experience of staying at SAMA and what you need to know if you book.
Follow us on Instagram for more Oman inspiration.
SAMA Ras Al Jinz Resort
SAMA is a Middle East hospitality business with seven resorts in Oman from SAMA Heights Resort on the Sultanate’s highest mountain, Jebel Shams, to SAMA Jabel Samhan in the southern Dhofar region.
SAMA Ras Al Jinz is an easy five minute drive from the nature reserve where you can go on evening and early morning turtle watching tours.
There are two sizes of ensuite lodges, an outdoor cinema and a restaurant.
SAMA Eco Lodges
During our first stay we booked two standard lodges. These can accommodate up to two people each.
The standard lodges have thatched roofs, rush-lined walls and geometric panels above the beds. The furnishings are simple. Most people only stay one night while visiting the nature reserve so there’s no need for a wardrobe or cupboards.
A few hangers are provided on the wall in case want to leave out your clothes for a quick change in the morning.
In true Omani-style there were various lighting options in the room; from a back light behind the bed to spotlights and a freestanding rattan lamp. A firm bed and air conditioning also come as standard.
The natural materials continue in the bathroom where the sink stands on a handmade cabinet of stone. And to help you feel even closer to nature, the shower has an open roof, lined with mesh to keep nature’s less friendly creatures out.
Outside there is a small veranda with a table and chairs.
The lodges strike a balance between modern comforts, Arabian style and a safari feel.
Lodges for families
Families can also book a roomy deluxe lodge which can sleep up to two adults in a large double bed and two children on extra mattresses on the floor.
The bathrooms in the deluxe lodges are palatial and come with double sinks and a bath.
The fixtures and fittings are similar to the standard lodges but the bathroom is more enclosed.
The benefit of the deluxe lodges really comes with the space, but this is under utilised. Proper extra beds or a sofa would make better use of the extra square meters.
If you want to book a deluxe lodge for your family contact the resort direct for a room rate.
Food and drink at SAMA
The restaurant is the first area you see as you arrive at SAMA Ras Al Jinz. It has a large open dining area decorated with Arabic lanterns, rattan lamps and intricately decorated Omani doors.
A traditional Omani buffet dinner is served here at 7pm. We tucked into soup, salads, hummus and cucumber dip, Arabic bread, fried rice, grilled chicken, beef curry and garlic noodles. For dessert there was a choice of jelly or crème caramel.
We love this kind of spread as Omani food isn’t too spicy for our children.
A buffet breakfast is served at 7am with more Arabic bread with hummus and laban dips, cereals, fruit, beans, pancakes, noodles, eggs and chicken sausages.
To drink there’s water, fresh juices, tea and Omani coffee. At breakfast you could also use the Nescafe coffee machine to make yourself a cappuccino or latte.
No alcohol is served at the resort.
Both dinner and breakfast are timed to allow you to get to the nature reserve for evening and morning tours, so you don’t need to worry about these clashing.
Turtle tours at Ras Al Jinz
You can book a tour of the turtle nesting beach through SAMA at no extra cost. The SAMA team took our payment, advised us on the tour times and printed our ticket to show at the turtle reserve’s reception.
The Turtle Resort, which is also the nature reserve visitor centre, is a five minute drive from SAMA Ras Al Jinz Resort.
Read about our turtle watching tour experience.
SAMA vs Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve
So, why should you consider SAMA Ras Al Jinz over the Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve?
We haven’t stayed at the Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve but know people who have. We also got to see some of it when we went for our turtle tours.
We’ve been told that while the eco tents look romantic, the reality is that they sit on a hill on the eastern-most point of the Arabian Peninsular. There is a considerable sea breeze and the flapping canvas can be very noisy.
On the plus side, you have a double bed, private bathrooms and there is a view of the beach from the tent area.
The turtle reserve’s other accommodation is within the main visitor complex. These are simply decorated double rooms with ensuite bathrooms.
The turtle reserve offers breakfast in its room rate but not dinner. From what we saw of the restaurant it is pretty clinical looking. But that’s to be expected at a centre that’s been designed for scientists and conference delegates as well as tourists.
Check prices and availability for Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve.
In contrast, SAMA has a lot more Arabian character.
It is located 5km from the Ras Al Jinz visitor centre but also 5km from the beach which means the wind noise is not a problem.
The time it takes you to reach the visitor centre by car is negligible. This is of course not a problem if you have your own or have hired a vehicle.
If you are on a tour of Oman your guide might suggest Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve as the place to stay as it means there is no early morning or late night transfers from them to do.
The real kicker is the price difference. A stay at Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve will cost at least one third more than SAMA Ras Al Jinz. You also get dinner and breakfast included at SAMA.
Check prices and availability fort SAMA Ras Al Jinz Resort.
Final thoughts on SAMA Ras Al Jinz
If value for money, aesthetics and comfort are important to you, SAMA is definitely the best place to stay in Ras Al Jinz.
Staying here was an absolute no brainer for us as a family of four. That’s why we booked a return visit.
Looking for more unique places to stay in Oman? Read my review of The Suwgra heritage inn on Jebel Akhdar.
Before you go, read my latest posts
- Hiking the Sa’al Steps and Jabel Khoneh
- Misfat Al Abriyeen – everything you need to know
- What’s so special about Wadi Shab?
- Wadi Bani Khalid: is it worth visiting?
- 18 things to do in Muscat – culture, outdoor fun & were to cool down
Disclosure: this post contains affiliate links. If you click on one and make a purchase I may earn some commission. This does not affect the price you pay.