7 Best Hotels in Bidiyah, Oman
Visitors come to southern Sharqiyah for the desert, so it shouldn't be much of a surprise that the best options for accommodations are the desert camps that are dotted across the dunes of Wahiba Sands, which range on the comfort scale from basic to luxury. Thoughmost camps are open year-round, it is not advisable to stay in the desert during the summer months, from May through July, when sandstorms and scorpions are more common and when the temperatures are scorching. By mid-August or early September the weather will have cooled enough for a pleasant trip. If you choose to go during the summer, be sure to book an air-conditioned tent and ask about the available amenities, as they are often reduced during the low season. There are a handful of hotels in the towns of Bidiyah and Ibra, but they are very basic. If you are not planning to visit the desert and just visiting the sights and wadis of Northern Sharqiyah, the accommodations in Ibra are simple but more comfortable and clean than those in Bidiyah Sands. They are almost never fully booked, so it is easy to find accommodations on arrival and it is best to request to see your room options before agreeing to book anyway.
Al Areesh Desert Camp
Al Raha Camp
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Arabian Oryx Camp
Desert Nights Camp
Nomadic Desert Camp
A simple camp of traditional palm leaf huts (with no a/c or electricity), this family-run property offers a more local experience than some of the other resorts, with the friendly, on-site Omani owners who are extremely helpful. This might explain why most repeat visitors to the area seem to prefer this no-frills property over some of the more luxurious options. The reasonable rates include Omani-style dinner and breakfast, a short camel ride, and a guide to lead you in from Bidiyah if you have a 4x4 (otherwise pickups are available for a small fee). A fire is built nightly, and guests and locals gather to relax over a cup of tea under the stars.
Be sure to bring cash, as you can only use a credit card for the room; any additional activities or extras (like sheesha), will need to be paid for in cash.
Other camps offer more excursion options, but few that offer the remote, authentic desert camping experience.