Desert Nights Resort review: a luxury desert camp in Wahiba Sands
‘Luxury and ‘desert camp’ are not two words I often associate. The vast majority of nights we have spent in Oman’s Wahiba Sands Desert have been spent under canvas, often pitched by ourselves. So when an opportunity came up to stay at Desert Nights Resort, which bills itself as a luxury desert camp, I was intrigued.
Spoiler alert: it may sound obvious, but air conditioning in the desert is a game changer! Add to this a Balinese spa and hotel restaurant dining, and we could have easily stayed longer than the one night I usually recommend for desert stays.
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About this luxury desert camp
Desert Nights Resort is part of the Oman Hotels group which also runs the Best Western in Sur and Al Falaj Hotel not far from Muttrah in Muscat. It makes sense that the chain’s desert camp is up to hotel standards.
The resort is a man-made oasis between two large dunes that run south from the town of Al Wasil. All of its rooms come with an ensuite bathroom and air conditioning, some even have a private swimming pool.
We stayed in the middle of May, not long before the resort closed for the summer, so a fraction of its 55 rooms were occupied. However, it didn’t feel like the resort was winding down. The staff were attentive and the buffet was well stocked.
If you are thinking of booking a stay in Wahiba Sands outside the main tourist season, it’s a great choice. And, to be fair, there aren’t many options once temperatures start rising. The thermometer was pushing 50°C on the afternoon we arrived.
How far into the desert is this camp?
Desert Nights Resort is a 11km straight-forward drive from the main road at Al Wasil. If you have a 4×4 you can easily reach the camp solo – there is only one road to follow. However, it’s not a good road to attempt with a 2WD.
The resort offers a transfer return service from Al Wasil for 15 OMR per vehicle with a maximum of four people.
We drove in with our own 4×4 and parked outside the resort fence. We’d been spotted kicking up dust on the road and were greeted in reception with cool towels, dates and traditional Omani kahwa coffee.
Check in was swift and a golf buggy took us and our luggage to our room on the edge of the resort.
Can you see the stars at night?
Yes, but there is some light pollution from the nearby town of Bidiyah. If you live in a city or town you’ll still get a better view here. Apart from the restaurant there are very few resort lights to impact the night sky.
Be aware that if you visit the desert under a full moon this will out shine the stars anyway.
Accommodation at Desert Nights Resort
From a distance it looks as though most of the stand alone rooms at Desert Night Resort are tents. They actually have a faux canvas roof over a concrete structure. The tent design is purely for aesthetics, which allows the air conditioning to work its magic.
We stayed in a Deluxe Room which comes with an Omani-style battlement around a flat roof.
This is the resort’s most basic accommodation but still delivers on the luxury label with crisp white sheets, robes, a marbled en-suite bathroom and views of the dunes.
There are nods to Omani culture with pottery light fittings and a studded dark wood coffee table but otherwise the room was simply decorated.
Handy features include a hanging rail, sofa, safe box, mini bar with soft drinks and complimentary tea, coffee and water.
Outside we had a small terrace with double seat. We sat here to watch the starry night revel itself after sunset.
This was the most comfortable room in which we have stayed in the desert. But it is difficult to compare to the experience of sleeping in a Bedouin tent. They are two very different propositions.
And Desert Nights Resort has even more opulent accommodation including villas with two bedrooms, coffee machines, extra Arabian styling and private pools.
This really is the place to stay if you think you might miss the comforts of a modern hotel.
Two Dune Restaurant
Dinner and breakfast at the resort’s Two Dune Restaurant are included in your booking whichever room you stay in. This offers a buffet as good any of the smaller international hotels in Muscat with a live cooking station, salad bar and plenty of hot dishes to choose from.
The cuisine is a mix of Asian and Western fare rather than local. You can pre-book a Bedouin dinner for a more authentic Omani dining experience and menu.
Something I hadn’t expected before arriving at the resort was that the restaurant was licensed. There’s an extensive drinks menu including international lagers, wine, spirits and cocktails.
The prices aren’t cheap, but if you want to treat yourselves to a glass of something after the sun has set then the option is there.
If you are staying more than one night you can have an al a carte lunch in Two Dunes. There’s a wide choice of salads, sandwiches, pasta, pizza, steaks and curries. If you prefer al a carte dining for breakfast or dinner this is also available.
Activities on offer
The resort offers a few inclusive facilities and activities alongside added extras:
Complimentary activities
There’s a small play park which is well situated in sight of the restaurant’s outdoor seating so kids can let off steam while their parents relax close by. And indoors there’s a pool table, football table and board games.
Also included in your stay are camel rides (October to April only) and a drive up the nearby dune. A Land Cruiser shuttles guests up here in good time to see the sun slip below the sand on the opposite side of the valley.
A cash bar of soft drinks and snacks is set up at the top, should you feel peckish before dinner.
Desert spa
The resort also features one of only a few spas to be found in the desert.
Sumor Spa is part of the Mandara Spa chain – a brand that you’ll also find in Asia, Europe, in the USA, Caribbean and onboard Norwegian Cruise Line cruise ships.
I booked in for a one hour long Pure Nature Facial and had my face, neck, shoulders and arms covered in delicious smelling lotions that made my tummy rumble.
I was transported to Bali by the soothing sounds of water as my esthetician worked her magic, detoxing my skin and massaging the knots from my desk-weary shoulders. It was a wonderful way to relax into our one night stay.
There’s a full menu of spa treatments and monthly special offers.
Other paid activities
There’s a long list of paid excursions available to guests. A sunrise dune drive, dune bashing, quad bike tours and a guided trip to Wadi Bani Khalid are among the experiences on offer.
You can book these activities when you arrive although it might be worth calling ahead during the peak tourist season.
Final thoughts on this luxury resort in Wahiba Sands
If you want to experience a night in Oman’s Wahiba Sands desert without roughing it, then Desert Night Resort is an excellent choice.
Even the cheapest room feels well put together and the restaurant caters for all tastes.
The resort staff were incredibly friendly and attentive during our stay. When we accidentally locked ourselves in our room someone arrived in minutes to release us and kindly point out we’d left the key in the door.
I’d even consider spending two nights, which is not something I’d recommend about more traditional tented camps with no air-conditioning. The mid-day heat can be uncomfortable even in winter.
However, while this luxury camp delivers the chance to stay in the desert in comfort, it can’t compete with the authentic Bedouin experience, which I’d argue is also worth seeking out as part of your adventures in Oman.
Check prices for Desert Nights Resort direct with the hotel for the latest offers, or on booking.com.
