Places to stay in Oman
Tried and tested accommodation across the Sultanate – from five-star palaces on the Muscat coast to off-grid desert camps and unique places to stay.
All stays featured here have been independently reviewed by the Oman Wanderlust team, so you can trust our unbiased opinions.
Five-star stays & brand hotels
Al Bustan Palace, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Muscat
A landmark of Omani hospitality set between the Al Hajar Mountains and the Sea of Oman, this historic palace was commissioned in the 1980s to host the first GCC Summit. Today it offers 250 rooms and suites, a 1km private beach, multiple restaurants and a full-service spa across 200 acres of lush grounds.
DoubleTree by Hilton Muscat Al Waha, Muscat
Set at Barr Al Jissah – a stunning bay carved between the cliffs of the Al Hajar Mountains and the Gulf of Oman, this is the most family-friendly of the three Hilton hotels that share this resort complex. The 302-room property features connecting family rooms, a 500m lazy river, splash parks and a private beach.
Crowne Plaza Duqm
Positioned midway between Muscat and Salalah on the Arabian Sea coast, this beachfront hotel is an oasis in one of Oman’s most remote regions. Facilities include an infinity pool, spa, beach access, tennis courts, and four restaurants, making it an ideal stop on a longer road trip.
Millennium Resort Salalah
A five-star city resort in the Al Saada area north of Salalah – Arabia’s kingdom of frankincense. The hotel offers 285 rooms, suites, apartments and villas, four restaurants including a roof-top Omani grill, a lazy river, spa, and a free shuttle to its private beach.
Desert camps in Oman – sleep under the stars
Desert Nights Resort
One of the most well-known luxury desert camps in Oman, set 11km into the golden dunes of Wahiba Sands, approximately two hours from Muscat. Air-conditioned Bedouin-style villas come with en-suite bathrooms, private terraces, and views across the sands. Try camel rides, dune bashing, quad biking, and sand boarding.
Al Badri Bedouin Camp
For a more authentic desert experience, Wahiba Sands is also home to a number of traditional Bedouin-run camps that offer a simpler, more immersive night among the dunes. This is our favourite. Expect canvas tents, campfire cooking, excellent hospitality and the kind of quiet that only the desert can offer.
Wanderlust Chats
Want personalised advice for your Oman adventure? Book a 45 minute one-to-one Zoom call during which you can ask me anything about planning your trip.
Unique stays – off the beaten track
Wadi Al Arbeieen Resort
A small, intimate resort nestled in Wadi Al Arbeieen – one of Oman’s most scenic wadis, known for its vivid turquoise pools. A 4×4 is needed to reach it. Rooms are simple but clean, and the warmth of the team, evening bonfires with live Omani music, and a generous buffet of fresh local food make this a hidden gem.
Whales Head Camp, Barr Al Hikman
One of the most remote places we’ve stayed in Oman. Getting here requires a 4×4 and ideally a guide for the salt-flat crossing. Whales Head Camp is a rustic, off-grid eco-camp with basic rooms, three buffet meals, and access to snorkelling, kayaking, and world-class birdwatching.
Valley Cliff Inn, Nizwa
A characterful farm stay with close access to Nizwa Fort, the famous goat market, and the ancient souq. Valley Cliff Inn gives visitors a comfortable and authentic base from which to explore the cultural heartland of the Sultanate, including Al Hamra, Misfat Al Abriyeen, and the surrounding mountain villages.
The Suwgra Heritage Inn, Jebel Akhdar
A heritage guesthouse tucked onto a cliff-edge on Jebel Akhdar – the Green Mountain. The inn offers an intimate, locally-rooted alternative to the larger resort hotels on the plateau, with spectacular views through the mountain valley.
Destination hotels – stay close to top Oman experiences
SAMA Resort, Ras Al Jinz
An ecolodge resort just five-minutes drive from the Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve – one of the most important nesting sites for endangered green turtles in the world. SAMA offers thatched-roof lodges, an outdoor cinema, and a restaurant that times meals around the reserve’s guided turtle watching tours.
Jebel Shams Resort
Perched at more than 2,000m above sea level, Jebel Shams Resort is the closest hotel to the famous Balcony Walk – the hike along the rim of Wadi Ghul, known as Oman’s Grand Canyon. Chalets offer mountain views with the bonus of some of the coolest temperatures in the country. Breakfast and dinner are included.
Ready to go?
Plan your perfect Oman adventure with our UK-based, ATOL-protected travel partner who will help you craft an unforgettable holiday, tour or day trip
Messages from my readers
“Thank you for your immeasurable assistance in our planning for visiting Oman. Your website is a treasure trove. Great ideas for places to visit and spend time exploring.”
Stephen from Australia
“The website is great! I’m practically studying on it! Loads of info, easy to read and follow, thank you so much for sharing. As an expat I know how much work there is behind it.”
Oman Unpacked Facebook Group member
“Thanks for your website. We discovered the Suwgra thanks to you. We actually hiked the whole dirt road down to the village – 1h 10 of stunning scenery – and this made us decide to come back next year and stay there overnight.”
Talitha from France
“I came across the website Oman Wanderlust and it was packed with so many helpful tips. It literally became by sole source of Oman information. During the planning process I reached out to Claire on Instagram and she couldn’t have been more helpful. She gave advice and ideas and helped me tailor my itinerary for the perfect 10 days in Oman.”
Charlotte from UK
“Oman Wanderlust was a game‑changer for our 3‑generation family trip, including two infants! The wadis, desert adventures and luxury mountain stay recommendations were spot‑on and family‑friendly. We loved the practical tips for driving with little ones, hidden gems and up‑to‑date info that made everything seamless. It took the stress out of planning for grandparents, parents and babies alike. Thank you Claire and all the Oman Wanderlust team for helping us create unforgettable memories across Oman!”
Fabrizio from Italy
“I found Oman Wanderlust and everything there is not a story, but a personal experience. They were not just travelers, they lived there for a while, therefore those advises were so reliable! I found everything there: places to go, accommodation, food, dress code, Ramadan rules, itineraries, etc. I have even contacted Claire directly for some recommendations and this was very useful. This is how I made the plans and we had a 1 week dream vacation. We consider now Oman as the unknown pearl of the Arabic world. Salalah is on the list for next year!”
Mirela from Romania