Arabian Nights Resort & Spa: two nights in the desert

We drive for about 40 minutes through the Al Sharqiya Sands desert until the Arabian Nights Resort & Spa becomes visible on the horizon between meter-high sand dunes. A green spot between golden sand with small houses, a hotel like we have never seen before.

A lone camel walks across the vast, rolling sand dunes of the Omani desert under a clear blue sky.

Even the drive to the resort is like an adventure. The tour guide from Zahara Tours drives us into the desert on unpaved roads and through soft sand. In some places, the sand is soft and the four-wheel drive vehicle lurches almost as if on an icy road.

A white Toyota Land Cruiser from Zahara Tours is parked on a sand dune in the Oman desert under a clear blue sky.

He clearly enjoys driving and sometimes I prefer to hold on tight. Every now and then we stop, get out and enjoy the view of the dunes, the camels and the herds of goats eating up the little greenery.

A lone camel stands atop a rolling sand dune in the vast desert of Oman under a clear, pale sky.

An unforgettable experience for me and I can’t get enough of the high dunes and every time I hear “There’s a camel!” the driver starts laughing. What is an everyday occurrence for him, who lives nearby, is a dream for me.

Tire tracks curve through the orange sand dunes of the Oman desert under a pale blue sky with wispy clouds.

The green in front of us becomes clearer and we reach the resort. A barbed wire fence protects the entrance. Not from the few people, but from the camels. As we experienced in the evening hours, they like to come to the resort to eat a bit of fresh grass or some bushes.

The entrance to the Arabian Nights Resort & Spa in the desert of Oman features a large white sign with Arabic and English text, set against modern tan buildings and sandy terrain with desert plants.

There is a large parking lot in front of the entrance and as soon as we got out of the car, a golf cart arrived and took our luggage to reception. We received a very friendly welcome and after a quick check-in we were driven to our accommodation for the next 2 nights.

The reception area of an Oman desert hotel features traditional Arabic decor, including arched wall niches, intricate latticework, and a crescent moon display on a side table. Two plush armchairs sit on a patterned rug in the center of the spacious room, which is finished with warm wood flooring and elegant ceiling details.

Around the hotel rooms

We didn’t stay there for long and set off to discover the resort. The rooms are located in small houses in a fenced-in area. The Arabian Nights Resort & Spa offers its guests a range of activities to make their stay more varied.

A traditional Arabian-style outdoor seating area, or majlis, at an Oman desert hotel features a wooden gazebo with striped cushions and a tented roof, situated along a paved walkway.

A spacious outdoor seating area at a desert hotel in Oman features a large stone fire pit surrounded by long, cushioned benches with red pillows, set against a backdrop of sand dunes and palm trees.

For example, you can book a private meal in the desert or in one of the cozy sitting areas in the resort. The team is also happy to organize an oriental evening with a barbecue and dancing.

Four sandboards with colorful patterns and foot straps lean against a wall at an Oman hotel, with two skateboards on the floor nearby.

Sporty guests can try their hand at sandboarding, play volleyball and finish off by relaxing by the pool with sun loungers, parasols and a pool bar. The pool bar offers cocktails and small dishes.

A swimming pool at a desert hotel in Oman is surrounded by lounge chairs, umbrellas, and tan buildings, with rolling sand dunes in the background.

A swimming pool at an Oman desert hotel is surrounded by lounge chairs, umbrellas, and dining tables, with large sand dunes rising in the background.

On the first evening, we drove up to one of the high dunes with our tour guide from Zahara Tours. From there we were able to watch the sunset. It was fantastically beautiful, romantic and unforgettable. Even more unforgettable was the way back to the resort, which led steeply down the dune and elicited a “we’re not going down there” from me and my friends. It looked worse than it was!

An aerial view of a hotel complex nestled in the vast desert dunes of Oman, featuring small buildings and green trees under a warm, hazy sky.

On the second evening, we booked a camel ride at sunset. We rode up a dune for about 20 minutes sitting on a camel. Once at the top, it was time to dismount and enjoy. The sun sank into the desert dunes almost more beautifully than on the first evening. Afterwards, the animals carried us back to the resort. For me, it was an impressive excursion that I will certainly remember for a long time to come.

Room options at the Arabian Nights Resort & Spa

The resort offers three different types of house. The Superior Dune Villa and the Premier Dune Villa are identical in terms of facilities, differing only in their location. The Premier Dune Villa is located more in the resort, the other type more on the edge of the grounds. The third type is the Suite Villa. All rooms are equipped with a fridge, air conditioning, coffee machine and hairdryer. WLAN is available free of charge in the houses and in the resort.

A small, modern desert bungalow with a curved white roof at the Arabian Nights Resort & Spa in Oman, surrounded by sandy landscaping, desert plants, and other similar guest rooms.

We were able to take a short tour of all the different house types. The Suite Villa is almost the same size as the other houses. It just has a different layout inside. Here you will find a small living area and a separate sleeping area. The bathroom is slightly smaller than in the other house types, but still very spacious. The Suite Villa is located on the outer edge of the resort and you have a great view of the desert from the small terrace.

This spacious hotel room in the Oman desert features a large bed with red accent pillows, a seating area with two armchairs and a coffee table, and warm wood-toned flooring. An open door leads to a balcony, while traditional-style hanging lamps and dark curtains add to the room's elegant atmosphere.

We spent our stay in a Superior Dune Villa. The small anteroom with closet leads to a very large bedroom with wonderfully comfortable beds. There is a table with two chairs, a desk with matching chair and a large TV.

A spacious hotel room in Oman features a large bed with a tan headboard and red accent pillows, set beneath a vaulted wooden ceiling and flanked by hanging lanterns.

This bathroom in an Oman desert hotel room features earth-toned mosaic tile walls, a modern white vanity and toilet, and a white bathrobe hanging on the wall.

A door leads into the bathroom – a huge bathroom – an incredibly large bathroom. The walk-in shower, toilet and washbasin are almost lost in the room, the space could almost be used for a sauna or a huge bathtub. Our accommodation also had a small terrace from which we could gaze at the starry sky in the evening.

A row of desert villas at an Omani hotel glows warmly at dusk, with decorative lanterns lighting a stone path and sandy grounds under a fading blue sky.

Restaurant Rimaal

The restaurant is at the heart of the Arabian Nights Resort & Spa. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served here. The air-conditioned dining room, decorated with oriental elements, seats around 160 guests.

An outdoor dining terrace at a desert hotel in Oman features dark wooden tables and chairs with colorful cushions, situated in front of a modern, tan-colored restaurant building and smaller guest villas under a bright sky. Palm trees frame the scene, which overlooks rolling sand dunes in the background.

We were in Oman during Ramadan. No lunch is offered at this time. The number of travelers is very reduced during Ramadan. As a result, only 5 houses were occupied on our first day and only 3 on the second day. This also had an impact on what was on offer in the restaurant. When more guests are staying there, a buffet is offered for both breakfast and dinner. I found it very understandable that this offer was not maintained.

The interior of a restaurant at an Oman hotel features wooden tables set for dining and vibrant yellow chairs, positioned in front of large arched windows with intricate wooden latticework.

For breakfast, a selection was brought directly to our table. We were of course able to make requests, such as omelettes or muesli, which were fulfilled immediately.

A restaurant starter at an Oman hotel featuring three black bowls of hummus, tabbouleh, and baba ghanoush served with a basket of fresh bread and rolls.

A main course at a desert restaurant in an Omani hotel features a platter of spiced rice, grilled meats, falafel, samosas, and roasted vegetables, served with a side of red dipping sauce and a bowl of tomato-based stew.

In the evening, some guests had a choice from a menu. We had booked half board and so a selection of Arabic-Indian dishes was brought to our table. After a starter (bread with hummus), a soup and a salad, we were served a large platter with various meaty dishes, rice and vegetables. It was excellent, super spicy and simply great! We were already more than full and then had a dessert. Even without the buffet, the dinners were really very good, we loved it!

Rihla Spa – relaxation in the desert

At the Arabian Nights Resort & Spa, the Rihla Spa invites you to relax and unwind. The Rihla Spa, whose name means “journey” in Arabic, aims to offer its guests a path to relaxation and renewal.

The spa offers a variety of treatments designed to relax the body, mind and soul. Massage therapies include, for example, the Rihla Signature Massage (a combination of Thai and Swedish massage including facial, foot reflexology and head massage), Deep Tissue Massage for deeper muscle areas and Balinese Massage for holistic well-being through medium pressure and acupressure.

Two massage tables with white linens and tan blankets are prepared for guests at the Oman Hotel Wueste spa.

The body treatments include an orange peeling, which gently cleanses the skin with orange powder and sandalwood, the citrus wrap to detoxify the skin and the neem healing treatment, which is particularly suitable for sensitive or allergy-prone skin.

A brass bowl hangs from a wooden stand in a spa at a hotel in Oman.

Ayurvedic therapies are also offered. These include Abhyangam (to strengthen bones and joints), Udwartanam (a combination of exfoliation and massage to improve blood circulation), Kizhi (to relieve muscle pain and joint inflammation) and Shirodhara (a technique in which herbal liquids are gently poured onto the forehead to relieve tension and improve overall well-being).

We took a look at the spa rooms and spoke to the friendly team. The rooms are modern and friendly. You can feel at ease here and spend a relaxing time after choosing your “desired treatment”.

Two luxurious pedicure chairs with cream-colored cushions and dark wood frames are set against a deep blue wall at the Oman Hotel Wueste spa.

Address:

Arabian Nights Resort & Spa
Koordinate: 22.1788208, 58.785738

Tips for traveling by car:

Exit 142 Bidiya Omanoil,
drive about 3 km and turn left
Drive 2 km and turn right at the Shell gas station
Drive 2.5 km and turn left into the T Intersection at Al Huwaiyah
Continue for about 2.5 km until you reach the Atta Omani School
Turn right – this is where the desert begins
Now it’s about 27 km / 40 minutes drive off-road through the desert.

Book a stay

A white SUV with red and yellow stripes drives across the vast, sandy dunes of the Oman desert under a clear blue sky.

Good to know

Where is the Arabian Nights Resort & Spa located?

The Arabian Nights Resort & Spa is located in the Sharqiya Sands, a well-known desert in Oman, around 27 kilometers inland from Bidiya.

How to reach the resort?

The resort can only be reached by off-road vehicle, as access is via sandy desert paths that are not signposted. The resort offers an escort service through the desert for a fee.

What else do I need to consider before setting off?

The road leads over more or less firm desert sand. Before driving into the desert, it is essential to reduce the tire pressure of the vehicle in order to get through the soft ground. Some dealers in Bidiya offer this service for a fee.

What accommodation does the resort offer?

Villas with private seating areas and desert views are on offer, combining modern design with traditional Omani architectural elements.

What amenities does the resort offer?

Facilities include an outdoor pool, business center, spa, restaurant, poolside bar and outdoor dining options.

What activities are possible in and around the resort?

Visitors can enjoy desert sports, camel rides, tours of the Al Sharqiya Sands, glamping under the stars and private BBQ dinners in the desert.

How can I book accommodation?

Bookings can be made directly via the resort’s website or by e-mail to reservations@arabiannightsresort.com. Or you book a tour to the desert with Zahara Tours.

What are the check-in and check-out times?

Check-in is possible from 14:00 and check-out must take place by 10:00.

Is there WLAN and cell phone reception?

Yes, there is free WiFi in the resort. Cell phone reception is also available outside the resort.

The tour into the desert, including an overnight stay, was organized in cooperation with Zahara Tours.