Muscat – Bait al Aali, a heritage house in the town of Al Hamra in Dakhliyah, has been turned into a hotel. This development aims to welcome international visitors, offering them a deep dive into Oman’s rich heritage.

Speaking to Muscat Daily, Suleiman al Abri, owner of Green Tourism Company, which operates the hotel, said, “We have converted the old house into a facility for guests. Having obtained the necessary licence from the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, we are eagerly awaiting the arrival of guests.”

Bait al Aali has nine rooms, equipped to cater to tourists from all corners of the world.

Elaborating on the significance of the house in preserving Omani traditions, Abri said, “Bait al Aali, a family-owned home nestled in the old village of Al Hamra, is a 300-year-old clay structure. Situated in the enchanting old part of Al Hamra, it is surrounded by mountain peaks and lush date palms.”

Constructed using traditional mud and clay bricks, Bait al Aali mirrors the 400-year-old Bait al Safah also in Al Hamra, another sustainably renovated mud house. At Bait al Safah, visitors can experience traditional practices, such as extracting oil from nuts, roasting and grinding coffee, producing flour, and baking rakhal, the traditional flatbread.

About Al Hamra’s tourism potential, Abri highlighted the striking landscapes and ancient settlements like Bait al Safah. Al Hamra is renowned for its historical sites, with locals actively restoring old areas and roads.

“A walk through the old parts of the town reveals time-worn buildings and monuments, some believed to be hundreds of years old, exhibiting unique architectural designs. The houses, with ceilings made from stones gathered from nearby mountain slopes, offer a glimpse into the past.”