Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Sohar is in the heart of a fertile
oasis
, and a pleasant hour can be spent wandering
through the local plantations and farms. To reach the plantations, drive beyond Sohar
Beach Hotel and turn right on Al-Nuz'ha St to find a string of fishing settlements.
Sleeping & Eating
There are numerous places to eat in town and along the highway. For a partial sea view
and newly caught hamour from the fish market opposite,
Wardat al-Fatah Trading
(mains
OR2.500)
on Sultan Qaboos St serves delicious Turkish food at simple, outdoor plastic
tables. Lulu's Hypermarket, selling everything you might need for tomorrow's journey, is
on Sohar roundabout.
Sohar Beach Hotel$$
HOTEL
( 26 841111;
www.soharbeach.com
; Sultan Qaboos St; r from OR75; )
Situated northwest of the
corniche on a long sandy beach, the Sohar Beach Hotel has made the most of its
traditional-style building to bring a bit of local character to Sohar accommodation. With a
good restaurant, coffeehouse, pretty gardens and a pool, it makes a peaceful retreat while
being a few minutes' drive from the town's attractions.
Al-Wadi Hotel$$
HOTEL
( 26 840058;
www.omanhotels.com
; Al-Barakah St; s/d OR41/53; )
With a lively atmosphere
(due partly to the enormously popular 'taxi bar' - frequented almost exclusively by local
male taxi drivers), Al-Wadi has nicely refurbished poolside rooms and a welcoming foyer
with
majlis
-style seating. The Sri Lankan chef musters a buffet (OR9-OR12) when occu-
pancy is high. The hotel is on a service road off Sallan Roundabout on the main Mus-
cat-Sohar Hwy, 10km from the town centre.
Crowne Plaza Sohar$$$
HOTEL
( 26 850901;
www.ichotelsgroup.com
; Sohar-Buraimi Hwy; s/d OR115.800/126; )
Tiers of bougain-
villea lead to the domed porch and grand foyer of this glossy hotel, on the new highway to
Buraimi about 15km from the centre of town. It overlooks desolate gravel plains but work
will soon begin on Sohar airport in the vacant land opposite. A jazz festival hosted by the
hotel in November is tipped to become an annual event.
Dhow Marine Restaurant$$
SEAFOOD
( 22 024077; mains OR3.500; )
In the heart of the busy fish market, this attractive, bright-
windowed restaurant serves up the best of the catch fresh from the incoming fishing boats.
