El-Djazair Hotel, Algiers

I've stayed at some pretty low-end hotels but this one takes the prize. Where shall I begin. Well, let's start at check in where they didn't speak more than two words of English and assured me that I would enjoy Wi-Fi in my room and that I would be assigned a quiet room. I discovered shortly after check-in that none of this were true. The Wi-Fi only seemed to work when the guest in the adjacent room was online and the room was anything but quiet. My first night there, I was tossing and turning until 5 am because of several all-night parties at the hotel. When I went to turn on some cold air, nothing but hot air came out. I was told that because of the season, only heating was available in the rooms-- despite their ad that all room have A/C! That's okay, let's move along. The bathrooms are simply disgusting. I woke up the second day to a puddle of water on the floor (I was told because the toilet overflows "a bit" when one flushes!). If you're in need of a shower, you may want to reconsider because on day two as I was about to step into the shower, I couldn't help but notice a huge cockroach crawling around in there. That latest development was the nail in the coffin. I promptly packed my suit case, checked out and went to another 5 star hotel -- this time a "real one." In short, I wouldn't stay at this hotel if they paid me let alone at $150/night and the fact that it has been rated as a 5-star is the biggest joke. It is completely run down, has a strong stench of something dead, and needs a complete overhaul before it can call itself a 5-star. Nothing "charming" about this place, trust me... unless, of course, you don't mind some company in your room (ie. rodents) when you wake up. Do yourself a favor and save yourself some heartache by staying at the Hilton (a bit out of the way but nice) since you'll be paying roughly the same amount of money for a room.

I use to come to Algiers on business trip, and i tried this hotel...its nonsense, outside all luxe, but inside is a shame as a hotel. Everything on the rooms is very very very old, and even more, they are not serious. I´m just now writing because they put me in a room, and just woke up by the Disco music...of the own hotel... It is ridicoulous. Never ever i will chose this "rotten golden apple".

Fabulous place to visit, magnificent gardens and terrace, wonderful french colonial interior, unfortunately poor service, overpriced and poorly cooked food, rooms pre-1970's interiors with no room facilities (ie tea & coffee making facilities or limited TV channels) Very much like most of Algiers, trying hard but not much happening mainly due to safety issues and therefore lack of tourists Hotel Security is very evident and thats reassuring Enjoyed my stay of 3 nights - wouldn't want any longer and won't rush back

Very nice gardens in the back, and a beautiful terrace to enjoy a glass of wine and the sunset, but the charm didn't quite make up for the poor service, WAY overpriced food, and the location, which is rather far from anything. I had no choice about staying here.

I do not know if this hotel has different prices or not. I was charge 12600 plus 200 a night for a room on top of a 17% tax. This took what the US Government paid for me to be in Algier over and money now comes out of my pocket. Food was quite expensive as well. Room service one pays for the meal plus tax plus 1080D to the person that brings the meal to the room. If you only speak English, then don't bother about the with the TV. Shopping near the hotel is none. I would like not to stay at this hotel again. For me it is too expensive for what they offer.

I visited Algiers for 2 weeks in January 2007.I am an American women married to an Algerian, and it was my first visit to his country. For the first week we stayed at the Safir hotel by the beach, for $100 a night, it was charmless and institution like. After a week there, I needed a change. The El-Djazair Hotel ($80 a night) in central Algiers was more then what I expected. The lobby was full of beautiful tile work. The grounds were lush and full of beautiful flowers. The hotel is older, and the rooms are there fore older. The room was very clean, had a mini bar and a newly refurbished bathroom with a tub with jets. Next time I go to Algiers, I will definitely stay at El-Djazair Hotel. You have to remember you are in Algeria; there are not many 'western' amenities to be found in this country. No chain restaurants, just trying to find a 'western' style toilet in central Algiers is tough. This Hotel is a 4-5 star hotel when comparing it to other Algerian hotels. For about $80 a night, it is a good deal. If you want the best 5 star hotel, then you have to pay for it, its about $300 for the Sheraton Club.

I am a frequent business traveler. I have traveled to maybe 30 countries in all parts of the world. Most of the year I live out of my suitcase. This is easily the most disappointing hotel i have ever stayed in. I was given a rate of around 13,000 DZD which is somewhere around $200 USD. Which is typical for a 5 star hotel. When I got to my room I was shocked. It's an old room, with an old lumpy bed, old used and weathered furniture and tiny TV. I couldn't believe it. For the price I was used to a much higher standard of hotel. Later when I went downstairs to eat dinner I was shocked at the menu, a typical dinner in the restaurant will run $50 for mediocre food. And room service will charge $15 for a simple hamburger. But you can't bring outside food into the hotel the security guards are guarding against that. Everything in the hotel is faded and old. Right next to my bed I have an old radio panel thing that is from the 1960's. I've never seen such things in hotels for this price. What a ripoff. Please don't stay here. Me and all my coworkers hate this place with a passion. Find something better. Better yet, go on a trip to Morocco or Tunisia. Both countries are French speaking, safe, cheaper, and have much more things to see and do. Trust me.

I was here for business and was pleasently surprised with the nice atmosphere. Before I stayed in El Aurassi and this not as nice! Very good pool with possibility for snacks, pizza's burgers etc., good breakfast and a great club/disco. (especially wednesday and thursday evening! Furniture cool be improved in the room, especially my matrass was old and not so good.

It is nice, clean, and very comfortable, Food is excellent. In general every thing about this place is tip top. One thing I really want to see increase the level of the service speciaaly Room Service

I stayed there in december 2000 with a room facing the algiers sea port (a real feast to the eyes). It is a historical hotel built, I think, in 1800s with a touch of that algerian flair. General Eisenower, Churchill, princess and kings stayed there. I loved the botanical garden, really unique for a hotel to offer such amenity along with a nice terasse. Staff were very friendly, however the service was slow at times and mistakes by room service staff knocking on my door at 3:00 am to bring me someone else's dinner or god knows what! Room was comfortable with all necessary amenities, and breakfast was good, and what I enjoyed most is Fig Jam! I bought some from super markets, but here in the US unfortunately I can not find it or if I find it is either Turkish or lebanese and of poor quality. I am easy to please, not too demanding, but I still want that Fig Jam ! :) This hotel is not managed well unfortunately, but for a business person like me, its location is the best. The US ambassy and if not all ambassies are located within 10 minutes by car, main government buildings are within 10 to 15 minutes as well, and most companies are located within a 5 mile perimeter. Downtown is like 15 minutes walking distance. If you are looking for a 5 star, Shangri-La like hotel, do not venture there. If you are looking for a sweet historical and charming place with good ameneties then sure this hotel will please you. Now in response to the comment made above, I feel sorry for you, but when I was there the hotel was full and I had lunches and dinners and I honestly enjoyed it a lot for the price I was paying. Also, for your information, I stayed in London at the Grovesnor Hotel for only 2 nights (friday and saturday) for a meeting I had planned for Friday... when my contact called me at the hotel, the hotel staff told him they have no such name in this hotel, and my contact left his office for the week end. I lost a flight ticket for london, I paid a very expensive hotel, missed my business meeting and on Sunday I headed to Dubai! I wished I had the problem that this person had in algiers and still had my business meeting...but c'est la vie! and by the way, at the Grovesnor, don't expect to sleep well cause the rooms have squicky wooden floors and who ever was above my room drove me nuts! must be someone with a lot of energy because it never stopped and never had a peaceful night until I left for Dubai where I stayed at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel, and I Highly recommend it. Good luck to you all.