Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Rooms are simple but tidy and quite spacious considering the price. The upstairs rooms
catch cool breezes and salty scents.
HOTEL
Maan-soor Hotel $$$
( 4244240, 4419423; maan-soor.com; s/d with breakfast US$50/60; )
This ven-
ture consists of a handful of square 'cottages' scattered around a large property just spit-
ting distance from Baathela Beach. Rooms are impersonal but crisp and comfortable. Note
that they don't face the sea. Amenities include an attached restaurant, satellite TV and a
so-called 'diving centre' (not professionally run; the 'divemaster' is a hotel employee who
speaks minimal English, and safety procedures are lackadaisical). So, what's wrong with
this hotel? Nothing, but it struggles to find much of a personality beyond a slightly dour
exterior. It's about 3km away from the centre.
Al Madiina Hotel $
( 740254, 4448291; r with/without bathroom & with fan US$6/3, r with bathroom &
air-con US$30; )
Right in the centre, this venture doesn't feel the need for fancy
touches and what you see is what you get, which in this case is a bed plonked in a thread-
bare room. The shared bathrooms are OK. All rooms are fan-cooled and a few singles
have air-con.
HOTEL
Esco Hotel $
( 740121, 4016425; r without bathroom & with fan US$7, r with bathroom & air-con
US$30; )
Fine in a pinch, the Esco has sparse but acceptable rooms with furniture
you would be happy to find at a flea market. Rooms vary in size, layout and plumbing
quality so scope out a few before committing yourself. The better rooms have air-con. It's
a coin's toss from Al Xayaat Restaurant.
HOTEL
Eating
Al Xayaat Restaurant & Fish House $$
( 740224; mains US$3-5; breakfast, lunch & dinner)
Lap up a reviving fruit juice
and scoff a grilled fish at this colourful eatery overlooking the bay, and you'll leave with a
smile on your face. While eating you'll be surrounded by a menagerie of cats, crows and
seagulls expecting a titbit. Ali, the amiable owner, speaks good English.
SEAFOOD
Xeeb Soor $$
SEAFOOD
