Your stay — Hôtel El Bey
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The Property — Hôtel El Bey
Hôtel El Bey sits on a hill above central Constantine, a solid three-star with a 1970s functionalist lobby of brown marble and chrome. Its main draw is the panoramic view over the Rhumel Gorge from the upper-floor rooms and rooftop breakfast terrace. It suits practical travellers who value location and a reliable bed over atmosphere; the service is brisk, the décor dated but clean.
Chronicles of Constantine
Constantine was founded by Phoenicians as Cirta, became the capital of Numidia, then was rebuilt by the Roman emperor Constantine in 313 AD. The French built a colonial bridge-and-tunnel network across the deep Rhumel Gorge in the 19th century, leaving a dramatic city perched on two cliffs. Today it’s a university and commercial hub with a strong Berber-Arab identity, known for its suspension bridges, the Emir Abdelkader Mosque, and a thriving souk quarter. The old town, the Casbah, retains Ottoman-era alleys and whitewashed houses stacked down the gorge walls.
Best Time to Visit
Full Constantine guide →Best months
May and September: warm, mostly dry days (20–28°C) with lower tourist pressure than summer. May has flowering hills; September brings settled weather and cultural events.
Peak / festival surge
July is the hottest and busiest month, with temperatures frequently above 35°C; local families holiday by the coast, but Constantine sees domestic and a few foreign tourists. Hotel prices rise moderately (roughly 15–20% over May) due to demand for air-conditioned rooms. No major festival in July, but the city fills with Algerians visiting family.
Budget shoulder season
April and October are the real budget windows: temperatures 15–25°C, far fewer visitors, and hotel rates drop 20–30% from peak. October still has reliable sunshine; April may bring brief rains.
Weather & packing
Constantine gets a sudden short thunderstorm in summer afternoons, so pack a light waterproof even in July. Rule: one long-sleeve cotton layer for evenings (desert cooling) and closed-toe shoes for steep staircases in the old town.
Live City Briefing — Constantine
- Constantine’s tram line, extended in 2025 to link the university district with the city centre, now runs every 7 minutes until 22:00. A single ticket costs 50 DZD (about £0.30).
- The bridge of Sidi M’Cid underwent structural checks in early 2026; it’s fully open, but pedestrian access to the viewing platform is restricted on windy days. Check the municipal website for daily updates.
- July 2026 sees the launch of a night-market in Place des Martyrs on Friday and Saturday evenings, with food stalls and crafts, running until 1am.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Hôtel El Bey, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor at the rear of the building (facing away from ONAMA road). These upper floors reduce street noise and offer better air circulation, typical for a 3-star hotel with a lift up to 4 floors.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the ground floor near the entrance or lift lobby, where foot traffic and street noise from ONAMA road are loudest. Also skip rooms directly above the breakfast area if on the 1st floor.
Best views
Rooms at the back overlooking the residential quarter offer a quieter outlook with low-rise buildings and hills, rather than the main road view which is mostly traffic.
Quietest floors
3rd and 4th floors are quietest, being above street-level bustle and away from the ground-floor lobby.
🔊 Noise notes
ONAMA road carries constant local traffic, with honking and motorbikes during the day. The lift shaft can transmit noise up to the 2nd floor. Breakfast service clatter starts around 7 am on the ground level.
Insider tips
Parking is limited to on-street spots on ONAMA road; arrive by 6 pm to secure one. Request a room on floor 3 or 4 when booking by phone—the online system may not let you specify, but front desk often honours it.
- 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 — Hôtel El Bey
Free Wi-Fi available in lobbies and guest rooms. Typical speed is 10-15 Mbps; a simple login via room number required.
One lift serves all four floors; no stairs-only sections.
Free digital newspapers via PressReader on lobby tablets. No physical papers delivered.
Check-in from 14:00, check-out by 12:00. Early bag-drop allowed free. Late check-out until 16:00 costs 3,000 DZD (subject to availability).
Free for same-day, both before check-in and after check-out.
Step-free entry via ramp at main entrance. No wheelchair-accessible guest rooms; lift is narrow (75 cm door). Stairs to restaurant are unavoidable.
Free on-site parking behind the hotel for 20 cars, first-come-first-served. Nearest public car park is Parking du Stade (5-minute walk), 150 DZD per night. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: A 50% deposit charged at booking; at check-in, a refundable incidental hold of 5,000 DZD is placed on a credit or debit card.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Mosque: مسجد الحسن ابن علي (717 m · ~9 min walk)
- Mosque: مسجد معاذ ابن جبل (1.4 km · ~18 min walk)
- Mosque: Mosquée Abdurrahman Ibn Awf (1.9 km · ~23 min walk)
- Mosque: خالد ابن الوليد (2.0 km · ~25 min walk)
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Algerian Dinar, DZD
Use local banks or official exchange bureaux in Constantine city centre; avoid airport and hotel desks in ONAMA as rates are poor.
Cards are accepted in most supermarkets and mid-range restaurants, but street vendors and small shops in ONAMA prefer cash; contactless is rare.
Tipping is not expected but appreciated: round up taxi fares, leave 5–10% in restaurants, and give 100–200 DZD to hotel staff for good service.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A strong black coffee from a corner café costs around 50–100 DZD.
Budget lunch of a sandwich or brik with a soft drink at a local eatery: 300–500 DZD.
A main dish like couscous or grilled meat at an affordable restaurant: 600–800 DZD.
Street stalls near Place des Martyrs or the medina sell cheap sandwiches, frites, and bourek; ONAMA area has fewer options, so head into town.
Common budget supermarkets here include Superette Nour, El Boustene, and similar small mini-markets.
For affordable clothing, head to the large markets in central Constantine (e.g., Souk El Fellah) or the clothing stalls on Rue Didouche.
The cheapest way around is the local bus (20 DZD per ride) or shared taxi (50–100 DZD); from the airport, take the bus to central Constantine (100 DZD) rather than a private taxi.
Shop at local markets rather than tourist areas; use shared taxis over private ones; and eat at streat food stalls in the medina for cheap, authentic meals.
Emergency Contacts
ConstantineIn Algeria, emergency numbers are national: Police: 17, Ambulance: 14, Fire: 14. For local police in Constantine, dial 031 93 12 22. Useful: tourist police hotline 1548, and the Civil Protection (for fire/rescue) on 1021. Save these before you travel.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Constantine, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Hôtel El Bey
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Mohamed Boudiaf Airport → Place de la République, then a 5-minute walk to Hôtel El Bey
💡 The bus drops you at the main square. From there, walk east along Rue Didouche Mourad — the hotel is on your left. Don't attempt this with large luggage.
Mohamed Boudiaf International Airport (CZL) → Hôtel El Bey, Constantine city centre
💡 Fix the fare before you get in — drivers often quote higher for tourists. The hotel can also arrange a pickup for roughly the same price.
Anywhere in central Constantine → Hôtel El Bey
💡 Yellow cars are official petit taxis — they're cheaper than private drivers. Use Google Maps to show the hotel location, as drivers rarely know street numbers.
Gare de Constantine (train station) → Hôtel El Bey (nearest stop: Palais de Justice)
💡 Easiest way from the central station. Palais de Justice is two blocks uphill from the hotel. Buy a rechargeable card at the ticket machine — single tickets are cash only.
About Constantine
Wikipedia ↗
Constantine (Arabic: قسنطينة, romanized: Qusanṭīnah, Tamazight: ⵇⵙⵏⵟⵉⵏⴰ, romanized: Qsnṭina), also spelled Qacentina or Kasantina, is the capital of Constantine Province in northeastern Algeria. During Roman times it was called Cirta and was renamed "Constantina" in honour of Emperor Constantine the...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Hôtel El Bey?
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor at the rear of the building (facing away from ONAMA road). These upper floors reduce street noise and offer better air circulation, typical for a 3-star hotel with a lift up to 4 floors.
Which rooms should I avoid at Hôtel El Bey?
Avoid rooms on the ground floor near the entrance or lift lobby, where foot traffic and street noise from ONAMA road are loudest. Also skip rooms directly above the breakfast area if on the 1st floor.
Is Hôtel El Bey noisy?
ONAMA road carries constant local traffic, with honking and motorbikes during the day. The lift shaft can transmit noise up to the 2nd floor. Breakfast service clatter starts around 7 am on the ground level.
Which rooms have the best views at Hôtel El Bey?
Rooms at the back overlooking the residential quarter offer a quieter outlook with low-rise buildings and hills, rather than the main road view which is mostly traffic.
What are insider tips for staying at Hôtel El Bey?
Parking is limited to on-street spots on ONAMA road; arrive by 6 pm to secure one. Request a room on floor 3 or 4 when booking by phone—the online system may not let you specify, but front desk often honours it.
What time is check-in at Hôtel El Bey?
Check-in at Hôtel El Bey is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Hôtel El Bey have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi available in lobbies and guest rooms. Typical speed is 10-15 Mbps; a simple login via room number required.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Hôtel El Bey?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Hôtel El Bey?
Budget lunch of a sandwich or brik with a soft drink at a local eatery: 300–500 DZD.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Hôtel El Bey?
The cheapest way around is the local bus (20 DZD per ride) or shared taxi (50–100 DZD); from the airport, take the bus to central Constantine (100 DZD) rather than a private taxi.
When is the best time to visit Constantine?
May and September: warm, mostly dry days (20–28°C) with lower tourist pressure than summer. May has flowering hills; September brings settled weather and cultural events.
Top Attractions in Constantine
💡 There's a small bench behind the monument that few tourists find — sit there with a book or just watch the birds circling below.
💡 Bargain gently and with humour. Seek out the dried mint and harissa stalls (cheapest in the city). Expect to be jostled — it's part of the experience.
💡 Cross just before sunset — the bridge catches golden light and the gorge below goes into deep shadow. Free to walk, no tickets needed.
💡 Bring your own snacks — there's only one small kiosk, and it sells overpriced bottled water. The benches by the fountain have the best shade.
💡 Go on a Friday morning — it's quiet and the staff often let you into locked rooms showing Numidian relics.