Review: Wadi Al Arbeieen Resort – a hotel off the beaten track
We have spent many a weekend camping in the wadis of the Hajar mountains. It’s always an adventure that rewards us with epic views, beautiful wild swimming spots and starry nights. If this is the kind of Oman experience you crave, but roughing it isn’t your style, I have a tip for you: Wadi Al Arbeieen Resort.
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About Wadi Al Arbeieen Resort
This off the beaten track hotel in the Eastern Hajar Mountains is located in an idyllic spot at a natural T junction by the tiny village of Firq. Next to it are pools of turquoise water and rippling limestone cliffs.
There’s quite a bit of off roading required to reach this remote hotel, so you’ll feel like you’ve had an adventure getting there. But rather than canvas and a roll mat, proper beds, air conditioning and delicious Omani food await.
We visited with a group of friends and made a day of our 150km journey from the capital, visiting Wadi Dayqah Dam Park and driving through Wadi Dayqah itself before arriving mid-afternoon.
It is possible to drive paved roads to the dam and then take levelled off road tracks to the resort or you can drive in along the wadi from Route 17 at Dibab. A 4×4 is essential either way.
Accommodation
We booked direct and were given a room with a double and single bed for our family of four. They staff provided an additional mattress so that we didn’t need to squeeze into the two beds.
Each two-storey villa had a room on the ground and first floor, but these were not connecting. The top floor room is accessed via stairs on the outside of the building.
The rooms are basic but clean and come with a fridge, kettle and shower room. Ground floor rooms also have outdoor seating overlooking the terrace and wadi.
A tip for families of four: if you want to ensure there are proper beds for all of you, you should book two rooms or a two bedroom suite. The suite would work better for families with young children as the resort doesn’t have connecting rooms and room doors open onto the communal terrace or a balcony with stairs.
Check the availability of the different room types.
Dining at the resort
The food was a highlight of our stay. When we arrived we were offered coffee, dates and cake while we relaxed after our journey.
Our booking included breakfast and dinner, which were both served buffet-style and eaten on the terrace.
In the evening we had a feast of barbecue meats, fish, vegetable curries, rice and flat breads followed by more cake. In the morning there was a selection of fresh fruit, cereals, pancakes and Arabic breakfast staples including eggs, hummus, labneh, vegetables, olives and cheese. Everything was delicious.
It’s worth mentioning that we stayed during Ramadan, so the staff were not eating or drinking during daylight hours. They still prepared meals and served us as non-fasting guests. We did not stay for lunch so if you book during Ramadan ask in advance whether lunch is available. There is nowhere else to eat or buy food closeby.
Things to do around Wadi Al Arbeieen
This resort is the perfect place to relax and enjoy nature. Sit on the terrace and soak up the views, take a hike through the wadi or a dip in the turquoise pools right next to the hotel.
Our children (and their dads) climbed up the rocks and jumped into the water. If you prefer to stay on the surface there are kayaks available for guests to use.
A 10 minute drive from the resort is Wadi Al Arbeieen waterfall, which flows into a deep pool flanked by cliffs. It is picturesque but not an easy swimming spot.
There are more pools on the drive out through the wadi to Dibab, although the amount of water you will find depends on recent rains.
Places I would recommend seeing in the area are the curious rock formations on the road from Wadi Dayqah Dam, Bimmah Sinkhole to the south on Route 17 and the white sandy beaches along the coast to Fins.
Go further south and you will find Wadi Shab, Wadi Tiwi and Sur.
Location
If you are based in Oman’s capital, Wadi Al Arbeieen is easy to reach in a few hours with much of the drive on fast, paved roads. However, I would still advise doing the journey in daylight because of the final off road approach to the resort.
Here is the route I would suggest driving from Muscat to Wadi Al Arbeieen, coming in from Wadi Dayqah Dam Park and leaving by driving through the wadi to Dibab and back along Route 17.
We actually did a bit more off roading than this, driving through Wadi Dayqah where we have camped on other occasions. This route is only suitable in dry weather. If there has been recent rain or water has been released from the dam, the wadi may not be passable.
Final thoughts on Wadi Al Arbeieen Resort
Staying at Wadi Al Arbeieen Resort gives you all the adventure of wadi camping – wild swimming, an incredible setting and starry nights – but with proper beds, air conditioned rooms and home cooked food. Any stylish flare that the rooms lack is more than made up for by the resort’s location and hospitality.
It is perfect for a weekend trip from Muscat or a fun stop on the road south to Sur, Ras Al Hadd or when looping round the bottom of the mountain range to Wahiba Sands.
Check availability at Wadi Al Arbeieen Resort.
