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Other Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

BAMBATSI HOLIDAY RANCH: BASTARDS IN NAMIBIA

by DAO

Located somewhere between Outjo and Khorixas is this place I believe is completely overpriced. They really cheesed me off. I was driving towards the end of a long day and saw their sign showing some stars and looking inviting. I went through the gate and drove for miles and miles on a bad path that nearly damaged my car. Then I came up to a place that did not look that great. In fact it looked worn and dirty. I was met by an unsmiling lady who told me she had one unit left and showed my a dark and very univiting room that looked like it needed to be repainted completely. She then quoted me a sky high price. I couldn’t afford it and she would not negotiate. She got zero dollars and I got going. Back to the road.

The worst part is that there is no idication on the sign several miles from the road what the prices are or a phone number. I arrived in the late afternoon - and you cannot drive in Namibia at night. Hitting an elephant or other large animal in the dark with a car is fatal. I wasted at least 30 minutes getting from the gate to see the place and then back on my travels. It is 5kn one way on a path through rocks, streams, dirt, mud and steep hills. This is a deliberate trap to get you to stay and agree the price in my opinion. Sorry - after driving 10 hours I do not appreciate the attitude I was given. She would not have filled the room. I was willing to go towards her price - but nothing. They mention camping on their website - it was not offered to me. They show a sign with a phone number on it on the website - I think the photo has been edited. You can see the sign I saw below.

Not recommended by me.

Namibian Elephant & Giraffe Trust Research Centre

by DAO

I came across this humble, but nice little hostel by chance. It wasn’t until I notice a very faded sign saying “Namibian Elephant and Giraffe Trust Research Centre” that I realise there was a bit more to the story. In terms of hostel accommodation, it’s cheap, clean, quiet and friendly. I was greeted at the gate by a large lazy dog that was very happy to see someone else who might feed him. An older lady appeared, let us is, and showed us around. The rooms were basic, had good beds and low prices. In addition to the rooms there was a large dinning area, kitchen to cook in and a toilet/shower block. Plenty of hot water and clean enough. I was bale to get food to cook from a nearby store and cook up a nice meal.

The hostel buildings are in a massive gated enclosure patrolled by the large dog. Although, if you feed him, he doesn’t do his walks. The place is absolutely silent. No music, loud talking, nothing. I enjoyed a good night’s sleep – which is what you need if you are driving Namibia. For the cost, quiet and relaxing atmosphere, I highly recommend it. I had already tried other locations and found they were above my budget. This place was below my budget and I enjoyed my 1 night stay. I could park me vehicle inside the locked gate and close to my bedroom. Nothing is a problem here.

The interesting thing is that this is the home of a foundation headed up by a man called Keith Leggett. He and his organization try and protect large wild animals in Namibia. So the little money you pay even helps protect Namibian wildlife.

OUTSIDE THE WALLS - HARAR, ETHIOPIA: HERITAGE PLAZA

by DAO

Heritage Plaza is a little hit and miss in terms of a hotel and its location. It is not inside the city walls and is slightly more expensive than some that are either in the wall or near them. With a local Bajaj (motorcycle taxi with cover eating area) you can be anywhere in the city for less than 50 US cents – if they come by. Otherwise it’s a 10-15 minute walk to where they are and/or the outer walls. It’s ok. The bed was – yes – ok. The room size was good and the hotel is quiet enough. The room I had did have was cool, clean and not much else. The bathroom was, however, a nightmare. The shower tray was tiny, clogged with hair and the water poured all over the bathroom and into the bedroom. A lot and every time. I had to ‘steal’ some towels to try and not break my neck walking around in my own room after a shower. The TV played 1 channel. There were 2 good closets and that would be it for the room.

The desk was manned and that is all I ever saw of the staff. Supposedly they had a restaurant, but I was never there hen they might have been so can’t comments.

Breakfast was outside in a nice outdoor area, but poor. I went next door to ‘Stackbucks’ for a poor, but better breakfast. Yes it is a Starbucks rip-off.

I really can’t recommend this place that much. It did the job, but was expensive for this city and what you get.

Lonely Planet calls this hotel “Palatial”.

Only if you are smoking strong drugs.

Harar is not blessed with any real ‘hotels’ so try and stay in a guesthouse or cultural house. Cheaper and probably have better showers.

THE ORION PIGGS PEAK HOTEL & CASINO: THE BEST IN SWAZILAND

by DAO

This is the PLACE for luxury in Swaziland. They have it all:
• Casino
• Huge bedrooms
• Pool Bar
• Swimming Pool
• Fantastic restaurant
• Free breakfast

Swaziland is not blessed with wealth or great hotels. This is the flagship hotel in the country. It has 103 rooms, full business facilities and gets good reviews. I had a good look around while I was here for a short period of time. It was mile ahead of anything else I saw in Swaziland. Unfortunately it does not seem to have its won website, but is bookable through many recognised hotel sites.

And they have a Gift Shop that should not be missed! They even sell fridge magnets. In fact this is the only place in Swaziland I could find them.

CENTRAL TOURING HÔTEL: A CHEAP ALGIERS HOTEL – NO. 5

by DAO

This is yet another cheap hotel in the middle of Algiers. This one is actually on a main shopping street, but just 2 blocks west of the main Rail Station and Ferry Terminal. You have shopping, restaurants, major attractions and the Casbah practically on your doorstep. This is considered to be one of the best hotels in the ‘budget’ range. Some rooms are air-conditioned.

Please note: I did not visit inside this hotel and the prices were about $30 according to my guidebook written in 2007. If you stay here or have more information, please email me and let me know. I will then update this tip. Also of you get in pictures from the inside, please send me a copy.

Thank you,

DAO

GRAND HÔTEL DES ÉSTRANGERS: A CHEAP ALGIERS HOTEL – NO. 4

by DAO

This is yet another cheap hotel in the middle of Algiers. You have everything you could possibly want on your doorstep or just 1-2 minutes of walking. Shopping, eating and sightseeing opportunities quite literally surround this hotel. Many of you major transport options are also very close by. This hotel has a reputation for being a bit quieter than some of the other budget hotels in the central zone of Algiers.

Please note: I did not visit inside this hotel and the prices were $17-20 according to my guidebook written in 2007. If you stay here or have more information, please email me and let me know. I will then update this tip. Also of you get in pictures from the inside, please send me a copy.

Thank you,

DAO

HÔTEL ARAGO: A CHEAP ALGIERS HOTEL – NO. 3

by DAO

This is the former Grand Hôtel Arago. You guessed it. It was a nice hotel during the French colonial era. It has a reputation for having clean rooms, but not air-conditioning. It is located right in the middle everything from restaurants to shops, the Casbah, cafés, Tourist Information, tourist attractions, main Railway Station, Ferry Terminal, and the seafront.

Please note: I did not visit inside this hotel and the prices were $14-22 according to my guidebook written in 2007. If you stay here or have more information, please email me and let me know. I will then update this tip. Also of you get in pictures from the inside, please send me a copy.

Thank you,

DAO

HÔTEL TERMINUS: A CHEAP ALGIERS HOTEL – NO. 2

by DAO

This is another cheap hotel in the center of Algiers that has seen much better days. It was a hotel during French colonial times. It does have air-conditioned rooms, but is recommended for men only. This is next door to the Grand Hôtel Tipaza and convenient to every major attraction in Algiers. It is a 1-2 minute walk to the Casbah, main Railway Station, Tourist Information, restaurants, shops, cafés, and the main seafront.

Please note: I did not visit inside this hotel and the prices were $12-21 according to my guidebook written in 2007. If you stay here or have more information, please email me and let me know. I will then update this tip. Also of you get in pictures from the inside, please send me a copy.

Thank you,

DAO

GRAND HÔTEL TIPAZA: A CHEAP ALGIERS HOTEL – NO. 1

by DAO

Despite the elaborate name, this is a backpacker’s accommodation with shared showers. This hotel is essentially across the main road from the main Railway Station. Its location is amazingly convenient for all the major attractions in the centre of Algiers. Restaurants and shops surround this location. The massive Casbah is 2 minutes walk and you are almost right on the main seafront. The Tourist Information Office is a stone’s throw away and the Ferry Terminal is also very close by. Apparently this is a lively and somewhat noisy place as there are cafés and shops below the hotel. It is however generally quiet in Algiers at night.

Please note: I did not visit inside this hotel and the prices were $12 according to my guidebook written in 2007. If you stay here or have more information, please email me and let me know. I will then update this tip. Also of you get in pictures from the inside, please send me a copy.

This tip and 4 others were created after a question on the Algiers Travel forum. There is a real need for good hotel information in Algiers. I rented an apartment, so had limited experience with the local hotels here.

On the plus side, there is a lot of 'cheap' accommodation right inside the heart of the city and some of the links on these 5 related tips have more lists of hotels. If you can speak French and telephone them - you can arrange a room and negotiate prices. The idea of reservations by email is still a few years away in a country not used to Tourism yet.

Thank you,

DAO

HÔTEL ES SAFIR: SCANDALOUS IN ALGIERIA

by DAO

THIS IS NOT A 4 STAR HOTEL.
It once was. Very much so. Built in 1926-30 it was originally named the Hotel Aletti. It was a grand hotel with massive rooms, sweeping balconies looking out over the port and a place used by diplomats and high society. One of its most famous visitors was the American singer, Josephine Baker.

After Independence from France (1962) the President, Ahmed Ben Bella, nationalized this hotel and one other. Like any government run hotels in the world – it deteriorated from there. Today some websites list this as a 4 star hotel, want $150 a night and even list the services starting with ‘Has an elevator’. Locally you could probably get in here at half that price, but why would you?

I visited the bar, restaurant, lobby and even the toilets. I quickly envisioned the ghastly descriptions of the rooms you can read on many websites. It’s a real shame, Many guests comment on how grand the rooms were. Unfortunately you cannot turn back 40 years of neglect overnight. I hope they do finish what renovations have started. The hotel is in an excellent location with access to everything the center of the city can provide.

You could always stop by fro a drink in the massive (but empty) smoky bar.

Interestingly they offer non-smoking rooms. Hard to find in Algeria.

They have no direct email address that I could find.

If you really want to pay money to stay in a very run down old hotel, there are several to choose from. And they are all cheaper.

Africa Hotels

5876 Hotels

Other Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

BAMBATSI HOLIDAY RANCH: BASTARDS IN NAMIBIA

Namibian Elephant & Giraffe Trust Research Centre

OUTSIDE THE WALLS - HARAR, ETHIOPIA: HERITAGE PLAZA

THE ORION PIGGS PEAK HOTEL & CASINO: THE BEST IN SWAZILAND

CENTRAL TOURING HÔTEL: A CHEAP ALGIERS HOTEL – NO. 5

GRAND HÔTEL DES ÉSTRANGERS: A CHEAP ALGIERS HOTEL – NO. 4

HÔTEL ARAGO: A CHEAP ALGIERS HOTEL – NO. 3

HÔTEL TERMINUS: A CHEAP ALGIERS HOTEL – NO. 2

GRAND HÔTEL TIPAZA: A CHEAP ALGIERS HOTEL – NO. 1

HÔTEL ES SAFIR: SCANDALOUS IN ALGIERIA

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