Hotel recommendations in Mutrah

Hello everybody!

I was wonderinf if anyone had a recommendation for a hotel in the Mutrah area. I'm going in early January of next year and am trying to get everything all booked up. It seems as though a lot of the more budget deals there don't offer advanced booking (or, more likely, I can't find it)--it is a bad idea to just wing-it without a reservation?

My budget is somewhat flexible, but nothing too fancy, unfortunately. I'm traveling alone as a woman, and although I've heard Oman is safe enough, I'd rather stay in an area with easy access to restaurants and shops.

Thank you!

Omani Visa on arrival at Al Ain

I''m hoping to use a rental car to travel from Abu Dhabi to Muscat, via Al Ain, I hold a UK passport. The information seems vague about getting a visa on arrival at land borders, has anyone done it recently? I presume that driving back to UAE is not a problem getting a visa on arrival as well?
Much appreciated.
Thanks
Carl

how to move around in Oman

Hi fellow travellers,
I am going to Oman in last than a month and am making my plan. However, I have the following questions and would pretty much like to get your valuable advice on :

• Hotels : I know Oman is not a cheap place for accomodation, however, how much would a three star single room cost? Will a three star hotel a decent choice (not luxuary but clean and safe)?
• transports : I do not want to drive in Oman, and wonder what other choices that I can have. I've made some enquires to some tour operators, and private tours are VERY expensive, so I wonder if I can (or it is advisable to) take bus to the main tourist attractions (for example, the turtle nesting place , the Wehiba Sands, Nizwa, Bahla Jabrin, etc.). if not, are there shared taxis?

NASEEM HOTEL MAIL?

HI!
Anyone got the mail of the Naseem Hotel to make a booking in advance?
There seems to be only the telephone but I prefer to avoid the conference from overseas....

Another question: I will be arriving around 5:30 am. Does anyone know from what time they allow to check in or will I have to pay the night before.... or just half night?

Thanks a lot!!!!

Day trips from Muscat with 4 young kids

We'll be traveling to Muscat in February and I was wondering if anybody could come up with a few day (or half day) trip suggestions that could easily be done with 4 young kids. We love just wandering around and experiencing a bit of the local culture. We were there two years ago and already visited Mutrah, the Corniche and Old Muscat. Obviously, we'll go and see these again.

We also visited Nizwa, Bahla, Birkat Almouz and Jabrin so would not want to do that again.

I have read that a trip to Seeb is worth doing. We also did no manage to get to see the mosque last time we were there (it was closed for some VIPs!). I have read conflicting reports on whether children are allowed or not. Does anyone know please?

I was also considering a boat trip to see dolphins and/or whales. Is there anybody you would suggest?

I've bought the guidebooks and I've tried to google "Muscat with k... more »

Driving into Oman via Dibba and camping.

Hi

My wife and I are planning to visit my sister in Dubai early December. We want to drive into Oman visit Dibba/Daba and take the Wadi Beh Rd and camp in the mountains.

We aim to hire a car in Dubai. I realise i need Oman insurance is there anything else needed?

Also is the Wadi Beh road easy to find,? Do we take the road to Khasab? Is there a specific map to have?

I think we can't cross back into UAE, so would aim to camp in the mountains and drive back through Dibba.

Is the border easy to cross?

Are there any specific places to see?

Any other suggestions?

All advice much appreciated.

Thanks in advance

Andrew

Muscat in one evening and a morning?

Due to a stoppover I will spend a short evening ans a morning in Muscat - what is the best thing to do to see as much of it as possible? Thank you

Driving to Jebel Shams in a 2WD

Today I drove up to Jebel Shams in a 2WD. Prior to making the ascent I was quite anxious about whether it would be possible to drive up in a 2WD, and I had trouble finding an answer as to whether this was possible or not online. I can now confidently say that it is possible to drive in a 2WD to within 3km of Al Khitaym (view of An Nakhur gorge and the start of the "balcony walk"). Below is a brief description of the drive from the round about before Al Hamra in case anyone is interested (distances are approximate):

After turning off at the round about heading towards Wadi Ghul you will drive over roughly 20km of asphalt. Towards the end of this paved section of the road there are a series of sharp turns and it is quite steep in parts. When the paved section runs out (right after the turn off to Misfat Al Khawatur) the road continues unpaved. It is quite bumpy if you go over 20kmph ... more »