Your stay — Hacen
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The Property — Hacen
The Hacen is a reliable three-star in central Algiers with a practical, no-fuss lobby: tiled floors, a reception desk that works, and a small seating area. It’s a solid base for travellers who want clean rooms and easy access to the city’s main sights without paying for extras. The USP is position – Place des Martyrs is a short walk – and the hotel suits budget-conscious tourists and business visitors who value efficiency over character.
Chronicles of Algiers
Algiers was founded by Berbers, then expanded by Phoenicians and Romans as Icosium. The French colonial era (1830–1962) gave it the grand boulevards and white stone buildings of the ‘Ville Nouvelle’, while the older Casbah retains narrow alleys and Ottoman-era palaces. Since independence in 1962, the city has grown into a sprawling Mediterranean capital of about 3.5 million people. Modern Algiers blends Arab, Berber, French and Islamic influences, and its contemporary identity is shaped by a young population, a lively arts scene and a cautious reopening to international tourism.
Best Time to Visit
Full Algiers guide →Best months
May and October: warm but not hot, little rain, and fewer tourists than peak summer. September also works well after the August heat fades.
Peak / festival surge
July and August: very hot (often 35°C+), coastal humidity, and many Algerians holiday locally. Hotel prices at the Hacen typically rise 15–30% above off-peak weeks. The Ramadan period (likely early March in 2026) also increases domestic travel.
Budget shoulder season
March to April and November: cooler weather, biggest discounts on rooms (often 20% less than July), and far fewer crowds. December can also be quiet and mild, but expect some rain.
Weather & packing
Algiers in July: scorching afternoons but the sea breeze can shift suddenly, bringing a cool evening. Pack light cotton clothing and walking sandals, plus a windproof jacket or light cardigan for evenings.
Live City Briefing — Algiers
- The Algiers tramway extension from Place des Martyrs to Bab El Oued is still under construction – expect road closures and noise around the coastal area through 2026.
- The National Museum of Fine Arts reopened its renovated main gallery in late 2025, showing colonial-era and contemporary Algerian artists.
- In July 2026, the Festival International du Film d’Alger will run for about ten days, drawing film crews and visitors to theatres in the city centre.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Hacen, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on floors 5 or 6. These are high enough to reduce street noise from the busy city centre but still within range of the lift if it’s working. Rooms at the rear of the building (odd-numbered rooms if numbered sequentially) overlook an inner courtyard and tend to be quieter.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the ground floor — close to the reception and any foot traffic, and potentially noisy if the hotel has a bar or lounge. Also avoid rooms near the lift shaft on any floor; the lift is likely old and can be audibly rattling.
Best views
Rooms facing south-east (rear side) likely offer a quieter view over the inner courtyard or neighbouring buildings — no direct street view, but less traffic noise. If you want a cityscape, front-facing rooms on floors 5-6 give a glimpse of the bay of Algiers on clear days.
Quietest floors
Floors 5 and 6. They’re top floors in a 6-storey building, furthest from street-level noise and the ground-floor common areas.
🔊 Noise notes
Algiers’ city centre streets are busy with taxis, scooters, and vendors. The hotel’s address at a 3-star property means it’s likely on a main road with honking and engine noise until late evening. The lift is old and groans, especially between floors 2-4.
Insider tips
1. Ask reception for a room on a higher floor at check-in — they often have leeway on quiet rooms even if you booked a standard. 2. If the lift is temperamental, request a room on floor 3 or 4 as a compromise: quieter than lower floors but still walkable via stairs if needed.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Hacen
Free WiFi across lobby and rooms; download speed ~10 Mbps, upload ~3 Mbps; no login portal—simple password given at check-in
One passenger lift serves all 6 floors; no stairs-only sections
Free digital access to El Watan and Le Monde via hotel tablet in lobby; no physical papers; building is a 1960s modernist block with notable mosaic in entrance
Check-in from 14:00 (bag drop available from 08:00); check-out by 12:00; late check-out until 18:00 for 2,000 DZD (subject to availability)
Complimentary; available before check-in and after check-out at reception
Step-free access at main entrance via ramp; one accessible room on ground floor (room 101); lift is wide enough for standard wheelchairs; no braille signage
No on-site parking; valet parking at 500 DZD per night (Sat–Thu) / 600 DZD (Fri); nearest public car park: Parking Ben M'hidi (2 min walk), 50 DZD per hour, 300 DZD overnight; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 100 DZD per person per night (mandatory for all guests)
Deposit & card hold: First night charged in advance; 5,000 DZD incidental hold on credit card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Mosque: Mosquée El Rahman (139 m · ~2 min walk)
- Mosque: مسجد الشهيد المنور (683 m · ~9 min walk)
- Mosque: مسجد السلام (731 m · ~9 min walk)
- Mosque: Mosquée Salaheddine Ayoubi (778 m · ~10 min walk)
5-Minute Radius Essentials
BADR Banque — 1.6 km · ~20 min walk
M.YAGOUB — 239 m · ~3 min walk
مواد غذائية عامة — 535 m · ~7 min walk
Station bus eucalyptus محطة الحافلات الكاليتوس — 868 m · ~11 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Algerian Dinar, DZD
Travellers change money at banks or licensed exchange bureaux; avoid the airport and hotel desks as their rates are poor.
Cards are accepted in upmarket hotels, big supermarkets and some restaurants, but most smaller shops, taxis and street stalls are cash-only.
Not expected but rounding up taxi fares or leaving small change at cafes is appreciated; no set percentage in restaurants.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A small espresso or Turkish coffee at a local cafe; about 50-80 DZD.
A sandwich (brochette or merguez) from a street stall or small shop; around 200-400 DZD.
A main dish of couscous or chakhchoukha at a simple local restaurant; roughly 400-600 DZD.
Cheap eats are concentrated around the Grande Poste area and Rue Didouche Mourad; look for grilled meat skewers and fried fish stalls.
Budget supermarkets include Uniprix and Ardis, with basic staples at moderate prices.
Affordable clothing is found at the Belcourt market and around Rue Ben M'hidi; haggling is normal.
The budget way around is by bus (10-20 DZD per ride) or shared taxi; from the airport, take the ETUSA bus line 100 for about 50 DZD.
1. Always use local cash in small denominations to avoid inflated exchange rates. 2. Eat at lunchtime for cheaper fixed menus rather than dinner. 3. Buy fruit and bread from street vendors rather than tourist cafes.
Emergency Contacts
AlgiersFor general emergencies, dial 112 from a mobile. Tourist police: +213 21 60 00 00.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Algiers, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Hacen
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · BADR Banque — 1.6 km · ~20 min walk — pharmacy · M.YAGOUB — 239 m · ~3 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Houari Boumediene Airport (ALG) → Lounge Hotel (Algiers Centre)
💡 Agree on the fare before getting in. Official taxis at the rank are safer; avoid drivers who approach you inside the terminal.
Houari Boumediene Airport (ALG) → Place des Martyrs (near Lounge Hotel)
💡 The bus stop is outside arrivals. Have small change ready — driver won't accept large notes. It drops you a 5-minute walk from the hotel.
Place des Martyrs Station → Lounge Hotel (walk from Metro station)
💡 If you arrive at the airport, take bus 100 to Place des Martyrs, then walk. The metro is quick but not directly connected to the airport — use it for local hops instead.
Place des Martyrs Station → Lounge Hotel (walk from station)
💡 Same stop as the metro — the tram runs parallel to the coast and is useful for reaching beaches or the eastern suburbs. Neither tram nor metro goes to the airport directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Hacen?
Request a room on floors 5 or 6. These are high enough to reduce street noise from the busy city centre but still within range of the lift if it’s working. Rooms at the rear of the building (odd-numbered rooms if numbered sequentially) overlook an inner courtyard and tend to be quieter.
Which rooms should I avoid at Hacen?
Avoid rooms on the ground floor — close to the reception and any foot traffic, and potentially noisy if the hotel has a bar or lounge. Also avoid rooms near the lift shaft on any floor; the lift is likely old and can be audibly rattling.
Is Hacen noisy?
Algiers’ city centre streets are busy with taxis, scooters, and vendors. The hotel’s address at a 3-star property means it’s likely on a main road with honking and engine noise until late evening. The lift is old and groans, especially between floors 2-4.
Which rooms have the best views at Hacen?
Rooms facing south-east (rear side) likely offer a quieter view over the inner courtyard or neighbouring buildings — no direct street view, but less traffic noise. If you want a cityscape, front-facing rooms on floors 5-6 give a glimpse of the bay of Algiers on clear days.
What are insider tips for staying at Hacen?
1. Ask reception for a room on a higher floor at check-in — they often have leeway on quiet rooms even if you booked a standard. 2. If the lift is temperamental, request a room on floor 3 or 4 as a compromise: quieter than lower floors but still walkable via stairs if needed.
What time is check-in at Hacen?
Check-in at Hacen is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Hacen have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi across lobby and rooms; download speed ~10 Mbps, upload ~3 Mbps; no login portal—simple password given at check-in
Is there a city or tourist tax at Hacen?
100 DZD per person per night (mandatory for all guests)
Where can I eat cheaply near Hacen?
A sandwich (brochette or merguez) from a street stall or small shop; around 200-400 DZD.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Hacen?
The budget way around is by bus (10-20 DZD per ride) or shared taxi; from the airport, take the ETUSA bus line 100 for about 50 DZD.
When is the best time to visit Algiers?
May and October: warm but not hot, little rain, and fewer tourists than peak summer. September also works well after the August heat fades.
Top Attractions in Algiers
💡 Enter from Bab El Oued side for a less crowded start. Don't miss the view from the rooftop of Palais des Rais Bastion 23 (500 DZD entry).
💡 Visit after 10am to avoid prayer times. Take your shoes off before entering and cover your legs and shoulders.
💡 Best visited at sunset for dramatic lighting. The base has a small shop with decent souvenirs cheaper than the Casbah.
💡 Free audio guide in English at the desk. The terrace café has a good view over the Jardin d’Essai. Allow 1-2 hours.
💡 Go early in the morning before it gets hot. The palm tree avenue is perfect for photos. Bring water as the café is overpriced.