I'm staying in Al Ain UAE later this year for 4 days. Any one know how easy it is to travel over the border to Oman - what is on the other side? Muscat seems a long way away Can you take self drive cars over?

Any advice on hotels and restaurants in Al Ain?

There's no border control. The only way you would know you're in Oman is that a sign tells you and things look a little different. Otherwise, it's like going from one state to another. You can most certainly use a self-drive to cross (or feet, or bike, or whatever), but keep in mind that a lot, if not most, cars you rent in the UAE aren't for use in Oman. You need to specifically ask to make sure you can take it into Oman. I didnt realize this and just took the car into Oman and obviously nothing happened, but I would have been been up the creek had something happened.

Muscat is indeed far. I can't remember exactly, but I think it's about 300km each way. Immigration is 20 or 30 miles from Buraimi on the road to Muscat so if you go then you will need a visa. They can issue a visa at MCT, but I don't know about on the road. I doubt it and I think you would need a visa before going. Driving in Oman is fairly easy, though. They don't speed like they do in the UAE.

Can't recommend a hotel. Just chose one when I got there and I can't remember the name.