Najd Al Maqsar Village: Rooms, Dining & How to Visit
Seven of the 13 stone houses at Najd Al Maqsar are now guest rooms, and that one fact decides how a visit works. There is no entry ticket and no day pass. You get into this restored mountain village by booking a room or by sitting down for a meal at Wishi, its all-day restaurant.
The village sits in Wadi Shie, a short drive inland from Khorfakkan, on a mountain crowned by a fortress about 300 years old. Sharjah Collection runs it, the retreat portfolio of Shurooq, the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority. The sections below cover what is inside, what a stay and a meal cost, and how to book.
Najd Al Maqsar village details
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Wadi Shie, Khorfakkan, Sharjah |
| Operator | Sharjah Collection by Shurooq |
| Site area | 17,210 m² |
| Historic houses | 13, nearly a century old |
| Guest rooms | 7 Kareen houses |
| Fortress | About 300 years old |
| Rock engravings nearby | Camels and horses, about 2,000 BC |
| Guests | Adults only |
| Check-in / check-out | From 3:00 PM / by 12:00 PM |
| Wishi restaurant | 7:30 AM to 10:00 PM, no reservation required |
| Entry ticket | None sold |
| Phone | +971 6 801 2020 |
History of the village
Najd Al Maqsar grew up around the water of Wadi Shie, and the 13 houses that survive were built nearly a century ago as refuges when the wadi flooded. The Al Hanateeb tribe settled here and farmed the land with a falaj irrigation channel. The houses are built from silt and stone with palm-frond roofs, which is why the village blends into the rock.
The fortress on the summit is nearly 300 years old and also goes by the names Al Rafisah Fort and Sulailat Fort. It was one link in a chain of defences around Khorfakkan that included Al Rabi Tower and Al Adwani Tower.
People were here long before the houses. Engravings of camels and horses found in the area date to about 2,000 BC, and residents of Khorfakkan retreated to this settlement for shelter when the Portuguese colonised the coast.
After years of abandonment, Shurooq restored the site as a retreat. The first phase soft-opened in June 2024 with a reception area, a restaurant and the trail up to the fortress.
Who can enter
Najd Al Maqsar has no admission ticket, and there are two ways in: a room booking, or a table at Wishi, which takes walk-ins. The seven guest houses and the fortress trail are set up for people staying overnight. Day visitors come for the restaurant terrace and its views over the wadi.
The property is adults-only, so it is not a family stop. Families in Khorfakkan are better served by the dam, the beach and the amphitheatre covered further down.
Rooms & rates
Rooms average AED 980 a night on weekdays and AED 1,150 on weekends. All seven rooms are Kareen Double units, each in its own stone house with a king or queen bed and a private outdoor sitting area facing the mountains.
Each room has:
- A rain shower and toiletries
- An espresso machine, kettle tray and mini fridge
- Air conditioning, a smart TV and free Wi-Fi
- Bathrobes, slippers and a safe
There is no pool, no gym and no room service. Meals are served at Wishi, and staff handle requests such as extra towels over WhatsApp. Parking on site is free, and the hotel takes Visa and MasterCard.
Check-in starts at 3:00 PM and check-out is by 12:00 PM. Reception sits at the foot of the mountain, so arrivals after dark are met with luggage help rather than a climb.
Wishi restaurant
Wishi is the only restaurant on site, and it serves breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner and afternoon tea from 7:30 AM to 10:00 PM. It seats 60 indoors and 60 on the terrace, and no reservation is required.
The menu is international with Emirati dishes, and it covers halal, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free diets. Dishes worth ordering:
- Al Maqsar biryani clay pot with chicken thighs, basmati rice and caramelised onions, AED 65
- Pumpkin hummus, AED 35
- Gahwa tiramisu, an Emirati take on the Italian dessert, AED 40
- Date-syrup pancakes with pistachios and ice cream, AED 35
- Simit bread with eggs, labneh and zaatar, AED 40
The terrace is the better seat in the late afternoon, when the light on the wadi turns ochre and green.
Hiking, the fortress & Al Rafisah Dam
The village works as a base for two walks, one up and one down.
Fortress trail
A trail from the reception area climbs to the fortress at the top of the hill. The old tower is the best viewpoint on the property, and sunrise and sunset are the times to be there. It is a mountain climb, so wear closed shoes, carry water and avoid the midday heat.
Al Rafisah Dam trail
A dedicated trail runs from the village to Al Rafisah Dam, a few minutes away. Kayaks and boats can be hired at the dam, and a longer mountain hike starts from the same area.
How to book
Rooms can be booked through four routes:
- Online: open the online booking engine and enter your arrival date, departure date and number of adults.
- Phone: call +971 6 801 2020.
- WhatsApp: message +971 50 845 5367.
- Email: write to reservations@sharjahcollection.ae.
The hotel may pre-authorise your card before arrival. Meals at Wishi need no booking at all.
Getting there
Najd Al Maqsar is about 10 minutes by car from Khorfakkan town and roughly 30 minutes from Fujairah City. From Dubai the drive takes around 90 minutes. Take the Sharjah to Khorfakkan road from the E611, and the village is about 50 minutes down it.
A car is the practical way in, although the dam is within walking distance. The property trades as Najd Al Meqsar by Sharjah Collection, and the heritage site also appears as Najd Al Miqsar, so search any of the three spellings in Maps.
Nearby places to combine
- Al Rafisah Dam: kayaking, boating and a mountain hike, minutes away.
- The Khorfakkan Amphitheater and the waterfront are within about 15 minutes by car.
- Khorfakkan Beach is on the same side of town.
- Hisn Khorfakkan, a museum in a renovated fort, and the Resistance Monument cover the town’s history, including its resistance to the Portuguese in the early 16th century.
- The old souq has life-size displays of tobacconists, tailors, jewellers, blacksmiths and carpenters.
- Shees Village adds a second restored heritage stop in the Khorfakkan area.
FAQ
Is Najd Al Maqsar free to enter?
No admission ticket is sold. Access is through a room booking or a meal at Wishi.
Can I visit Najd Al Maqsar without staying overnight?
Yes, for a meal. Wishi takes walk-ins from 7:30 AM to 10:00 PM, and the terrace has views over Wadi Shie. The guest houses and the fortress trail are for staying guests.
Is Najd Al Maqsar adults-only?
Yes. The retreat accepts adult guests only, so it does not suit family stays.
How much does a night at Najd Al Maqsar cost?
Rooms average AED 980 on weekdays and AED 1,150 on weekends.
How far is Najd Al Maqsar from Dubai?
It is around 90 minutes by car. From the E611, the Sharjah to Khorfakkan road leads to the village in about 50 minutes.
Is Najd Al Maqsar the same as Najd Al Meqsar?
Yes. Najd Al Meqsar is the spelling the retreat uses for its own name, and Najd Al Miqsar is a third spelling used for the heritage site.
Plan your visit
- Decide between an overnight stay and a meal. A stay is the only way to use the houses and the fortress trail.
- For a stay, book a Kareen Double room and plan for 3:00 PM check-in.
- For a meal, arrive any time between 7:30 AM and 10:00 PM and ask for a terrace table.
- Pair the visit with Al Rafisah Dam and Khorfakkan, since the village has no pool, gym or room service.
- Start the fortress hike early, in closed shoes and with water.
