Mud houses turned hotels draw tourists to Omani village

  • Date: 02-Mar-2021
  • Source: Arab Weekly
  • Sector:Tourism
  • Country:Oman
  • Who else needs to know?

Mud houses turned hotels draw tourists to Omani village

MUSCAT, OMAN--Perched on an Oman mountain top, the village of Misfat al-Abriyeen has changed its fortunes by transforming mud-brick homes into boutique hotels, drawing tourists to a region famed for hiking trails and tales of genies.

The village of 800 residents, situated on the dramatic escarpments of Oman's “Grand Canyon,” opened its narrow streets six years ago to foreigners and locals seeking adventure in the deserts and green corners of the Gulf sultanate.

Villager Yacoub al-Abri said it all started in 2010 when his uncle suggested they take another look at the mud houses that had lain neglected for years in the ancient settlement about three hours' drive from the capital Muscat.

The owners had abandoned the centuries-old homes, fearing they could collapse, and moved to the opposite side of the village where they built new accommodation.

His idea was “to combine the simple and natural surroundings of an old Omani life with a modern touch that provides comfort and safety,” Abri said.

The beige-walled homes, made of mud brick with palm-frond roofs, were turned into simple but elegant inns furnished with traditional wood and textiles.

Five years after the idea was dreamt up, the family's first boutique hotel was up and running, inspiring neighbours and villagers