Sharqiya Sands
Accessed from near Al Wasil, this good-value camp, 12km into the sands, is popular with Omani families. The simple buildings of the camp are arranged at…
Must-see hotels in Arabian Peninsula
Hajar Mountains
This simple guesthouse has a range of comfortable, uncomplicated rooms and chalets near Sharfat Al Alamayn, the highest point on the mountain road to Hatt…
Al Dabi Jalan Bani Bu Ali Tourist Motel
Oman
If the quiet authenticity of Bani Bu Ali or its gateway location to the sands appeals, then consider a stopover. With fancy tiling, arched corridors and…
Deira
Everything works like a well-oiled machine at this business hotel handily situated about 1.4km from the airport. Rooms are classically elegant, and there…
Kuwait City
In a building decorated like a Yemeni souq near Central Plaza mall, this atmospheric (but slightly musty) place sports furniture from Syria, lanterns from…
Nizwa
This reliable budget hotel, with its Arab decor and carved wooden doors, offers a friendly bed for the night. Try to overlook the grubby astroturf on the…
Oman
This hotel, with its huge whale bone in the foyer, has recently been treated to a makeover. The peach-coloured rooms don't wholly match the quality of the…
Nizwa
Close to Nizwa, in nearby Manah, this desert camp offers simple barasti (palm-frond) huts with shared bathrooms. With a couple of crumbling old villages…
Manama
Clean and well furnished, with commodious bathrooms, this is a good bachelor’s choice. The 5th floor is supposedly reserved for women and families, but…
Bur Dubai
With their white-tiled floors and heavy curtains, the Rainbow's 40 rooms exude a retro charm and, for a small hotel, there are good facilities, including…
Oman
This two-storey villa by the sea offers elaborately plastered rooms with private bathrooms, TV and fridge, plus access to a shared kitchen. Offering a…
United Arab Emirates
With its modest entrance and generic lobby, the Radisson may not wow instantly, but it's an immaculately kept, full-service resort with five swimming…
Al Ain
In summer, this mountaintop hotel overlooking the town of Al Ain offers a cool retreat. Depending on your taste, the rooms may seem heavily dated or retro…
Downtown Dubai
Of the several Dubai branches of this good-value chain, this one behind the World Trade Centre is the most central. After the airy feel and modern design…
Marina Breakwater
The InterContinental may not be the most 'des res' address in town (and to be frank the rooms in this old warhorse could definitely do with a revamp) but…
Northern Saudi Arabia
The advantages of staying here are quite simple. There is nowhere else you would want to stay, such is the paucity of sleeping options in Al Wajh. Also,…
Jeddah
Situated halfway between the airport and downtown, the Bilad is starting to look a tad tired these days, but remains much loved for its escape-the-crowds…
Sharqiya Sands
Being refurbished at the time of research, this lovely camp (formerly Al Areesh Camp) lies on the edge of a silver sand dune, with local Bedouin villages…
Masirah Island
This delightful hotel, near Al Maha petrol station on the road leading southeast out of town, has large, fancy rooms with exotic reproduction furniture…
Sur
Billed as a grand new addition to Sur's limited accommodation options, this hotel hasn't lived up to expectations, with ill-kempt corridors, already…
Hajar Mountains
Modern and clean, this business hotel offers spacious rooms with tiled floors arranged off large bright corridors. Some rooms sport a sliver of balcony,…
Abu Dhabi
Midway between town and the airport, the Ibis has small but comfortable rooms decked out in rich hardwoods, a quiet location, a pleasant terrace and an…
Dubai
Terrific service-minded staff, a sunny rooftop pool and a good location give this place a considerable edge. You'll be steps from the beach, Jumeirah…
Oman
This new hotel in a modern block in the centre of new Barka is convenient for an early getaway for explorations of the Batinah Plain. Rooms are bland but…
Northern Saudi Arabia
Most of Haql's accommodation options are along Route 55 and resemble something out of a '70s British sitcom; this is the best of a bad bunch. Rooms are…
Al Wusta
Rooms are basic in this concrete block on the highway, and indeed there's not much to recommend with its institutional-style rows of dark corridors. Still…
Khasab
There are good views here from the small rooms, but what really distinguishes this hotel is the chocolate-caramel swirls of the marble basins. The average…
Saudi Arabia
Hail’s former top hotel is struggling to keep pace with the growing competition, hence the low prices. Rooms are basic but comfy, though quite tired…
Al Zahiyah & Al Maryah Island
The great central location and solid amenities keeps this decent budget choice bustling, though the good-sized rooms do suffer from a lack of natural…
Fujairah City
This glass-and-steel tower connected to Fujairah Mall has spacious rooms with rather bland furniture and floor-to-ceiling windows (though unless you're in…
Umm Al Quwain
Renowned for its off-license liquor store, this whitewashed Mediterranean-style resort has simple yet spacious tiled-floor studios and suites with…
Masirah Island
The gloomy lobby of this Egyptian-run hotel is a bit dispiriting, as are the basic, cavernous rooms. It is clean, however, and the location at the end of…
Masirah Island
With multiple beds, commodious bathrooms and a lot of Arab chintz, you can forgive the goats sitting on the doorstep. This is the biggest and most…
Saudi Arabia
Decorated in browns and creams as if they're giant crème caramels, the uninspiring rooms are nevertheless comfortable and clean. The hotel is conveniently…
Kuwait City
The rooms may be a little dated and pretty basic, but the smaller rooms are good-value for solo travellers. The hotel is bright and friendly, and it's…
Saudi Arabia
This hotel has large, clean rooms in a good location within walking distance of the old town and other key sites, but that's about it, because that's…
Jebel Akhdar
This new villa offers simple, sparsely furnished but clean rooms with tiled floors in the middle of Jebel Akhdar's main town. No food is provided, but it…
Fujairah City
The Ibis provides small, well-maintained rooms with bright red tile details in the bathroom. Guests have access to all the facilities at the adjoining…
Sharjah
Overlooking Khalid Lagoon, the 255-room Copthorne Hotel offers spacious, comfortable rooms dressed in easygoing beige. Solid facilities include spa, gym,…
Qatar
Given Qatar's picturesque northeastern coastline, it’s surprising there aren't more resorts on it. This one could be beautiful, but it needs a big…
