The town of Nizwa, at the foot of the Hajar Mountain range, is a must do on almost all Omani travel itineraries. The capital of Oman in the 6th and 7thC, and the stronghold of the powerful Imams until the 1950s. Nizwa continues to be a centre of Islamic learning and is known to some as the “Pearl of Islam”. In recent years a number of ‘heritage’ hotels have opened in Nizwa, giving you the chance to experience life in a traditional Omani house from a few hundred years ago. The Nizwa Antique Inn is one such gem!
BOOK YOUR STAY
Need to Know
The Headline Step into the Past in Oman’s most Visited Town
Best For Travellers exploring the Hajar Mountains and historic forts of the Omani interior, looking for no frills comfort and a sense of Omani history.
Amenities Simple breakfast included in most room rates, served on the terrace. Buffet dinner available on request. Lovely swimming pool amongst the ruins and multiple communal seating areas.
Getting There Two hour drive on highways from Muscat. There is a small parking area in front of the hotel, although be prepared for the slightly squeezy roads through Nizwa historic town centre to get to it.
Getting Around Nizwa Fort and Souq are within in a few hundred metres walk. Exploring further afield requires your own vehicle or a prearranged tour. A 4WD is required to access Jebel Akhdar.
Prices approx. £85 per night for a double room with breakfast.
THE LOCATION
Around 165km, and about a two-hour drive from Muscat, Nizwa unsurprisingly features on almost all Omani tour itineraries. Nizwa Fort is the oldest in Oman, and the Sultanate’s most visited national monument. The town is often the stopping off point before or after a trip up Jebel Akhdar, and it is an easy day trip to the wonderful forts of Jabreen and Bahla. Have a look at my guide to the Hajar Mountains for more ideas on what to do in the area.
It is an easy walk to the Souq and Fort from the Nizwa Antique Inn – no more than a few hundred metres – through the back streets of the old town. There are also a number of good places to eat within easy walking distance.
There is a small parking area in front of the hotel, although be prepared for the slightly squeezy roads through Nizwa historic town centre to get to it.
THE ROOMS
The Nizwa Antique Inn has been designed to replicate the style of an old, traditional Omani house. Expect low doorways and narrow staircases. Hotel rooms are spread out over a couple of buildings and across a number of floors. This all adds to the feeling that you are really in amongst the historic town and adds to the “heritage” vibe.
On first appearance, the rooms look anything but comfortable! Beds are made up traditional style – essentially a spung mattress on the floor. Thankfully they turned out to be significantly more comfortable than they looked. I am a very fussy sleeper thanks to a bad back and was apprehensive about whether I would be able to get back up again in the morning, but found the beds surprisingly very comfortable. They also passed the comfort test for my in laws, even when they were stiff and sore after a very uncomfortable camp the night before!
Rooms are simply furnished, with painted ceilings and traditional patterned textiles. There is an unexpectedly decent little hairdryer, and a small fridge to cool water and soft drinks. Some rooms have small private patios.
The bathroom is more of a tiny wet room, although it has everything you need with a nice hot shower, much needed in the winter months.
Amenities consist of a rather lovely blend of old and new, giving you the comfort you want from a hotel with a real sense of staying in a traditional guesthouse. There are plenty of plug sockets near the bed – always a win in my mind for any hotel – but as ever, the main light switch is by the entrance door. Why do hotels do this?! I just want to be able to get into bed and then switch off the lights! Especially when the bed is a mattress on the floor, so have to hoist myself back up to turn the lights off after a long day exploring!
THE EXTRAS
A simple, but very good, buffet dinner is available. It must be booked in advance on arrival. Expect various rice and meat dishes, with Indian breads and roasted vegetable side dishes. Breakfast is included in most room rates, served on the top terrace, and was likewise simple but filling and tasty.
There are a number of lovely communal spaces to relax with a book or just sit, spread throughout the hotel, including a lush garden. Several have great views over the famous Nizwa Fort, especially from the upper terrace whilst the Fort is lit up at night.
There is a lovely swimming pool, tucked in amongst the ruins of the old Nizwa town.
THE LESS LOVEABLE
As above, beds are in the form of a mattress on the floor. Although they are surprisingly comfortable, if mobility is an issue for you, the Nizwa Antique Inn is probably not the best option. In addition to the beds, there are a couple of steps in the room to access the bathroom/wet room. There is also no separate seating in most rooms, so the only place to sit is on the low bed. Given the lovely communal spaces, this is not likely to be a problem for most guests.
Despite otherwise tasty meals, the coffee was really dreadful!
Check out my other guides to travelling in Oman for more inspiration, and my sleep series for other hidden gems around the world to lay your head for the night.
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