Our stay at the Cliffs was nothing short of magical. Even despite the glowing reviews we had read. Our expectations were high, but just as amazed as we came around the mountain bend to view The Cliffs Guesthouse perched across the canyon.

Host:
The host was incredibly friendly and showed us the path to the guesthouse and after answering some basic questions left us for our stay. Just as we preferred it to be.

Hike to Guest House:
It’s a short but very simple hike down from the parking area across the dry river bed and up to the guesthouse. Certainly advisable to do this during daylight hours as it requires some careful footing, but nothing difficult or dangerous.

Guesthouse Village:

The abandoned village area is lit nicely in the evening with rechargeable solar lamps so there was a nice glow and didn’t get completely dark. You may want to bring a flashlight to walk between areas but not necessary as your mobile phone light will suffice.

Meals:
We had the guesthouse to ourself for the night we stayed and it was like having the entire abandoned village to ourself. A boy would bring us dinner in the evening around 7pm of our choice of meat along with several delicious warm sides all packed in metal canisters. There was more than enough healthy and fresh food provided for two.

Again the next morning after sunrise around 7am a boy will appear with breakfast (2 hard boiled eggs, toast and simple breakfast items with butter) all also served in canisters. Also self serve tea and instant coffee is available with an electric kettle. All meals and coffee/tea is included in your overnight stay pricing.

They ask that guests clean their own plates in a kitchen sink. There is running water on the premises.

Showers/Toilets:
The two super clean bathrooms each with a shower and toilet located in a separate adjacent building. They are sufficient and have fantastically hot running water. You may want to bring your own water for drinking and brushing teeth. Towels are provided as well as some basic hand soaps and an assortment of basic shampoo and conditioners.

Bedrooms:

There are two separate rooms for rent with an additional two in the works to open soon. One has two twin beds (The Moon Room) and one has a double bed (The Sun Room). The later is a bit larger with an additional floor sitting area. Each has electrical power outlets (3 UK-style plugs) and an overhead oscillating fan. A small portable space heater can be plugged in. The bed is very comfortable with clean sheets and a decent blanket duvet for the cooler evenings.

There is no air conditioning, but at this altitude it was not necessary. In November it was very pleasant; neither hot nor cold.

Local Hiking:
There is a wonderful well marked (with enormous white paint marks on stones) hiking trail. We only took it out 30-minutes but it clearly continued onward. Very simple to follow and a great adventure just behind your village. You are only asked not to disturb or interact with any locals (we only saw one lady tending goats)( but due to local customs it seems offensive to interact so we politely kept our distance.

Internet/Wifi/Cell:
There is no wifi, but we had purchased a cheap tourist SIM for OMTEL at the airport and we had a fantastically strong 3G signal at the guesthouse during our stay with data and ability to call the host on WhatsApp as necessary. Also the 3G signal works from the parking area.

Driving:

The detailed driving directions they sent in advance worked great and also with Waze. A 4x4 is certainly mandatory to access the village parking area as there is a security checkpoint 20-30 minutes prior to verify 4x4.

Tips:
On your way out stop at Princess Diana’s Point for a great view at the fancy 5-star Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort if you’re like a solid coffee or anything to eat.

We spent a night in the “cozy room”. The experience is a step back 500 years, to when the village was originally inhabited. It is a 15 minute hike through a canyon to get to your room. An Omani dinner and breakfast is delivered to the room. Cultural and environmental sensitivity is imperative. We deduct one star rating,because the food provided was very meager and no flexibility in meal timing.