Fodor's Expert Review Palm Village Hotel

The tranquil desert setting and spacious interior spaces have made this midpriced hotel a favorite of visiting groups of archaeologists and paleontologists. The grand classical entrance hall, with its columns and cornices, presents a curious first impression in the middle of the desert. Rooms, which are set around the rear gardens, offer two options. Older single-story domed bungalows are well furnished and have small patios in front and wet showers (no curtain); newer rooms in two-story buildings are much bigger and have matching metal-and-wood furniture. Both are spotlessly clean. A new wing with a large pool was expected, at this writing, to open in early 2011.