An attractive addition to Algiers

Algeria has always been an enigmatic travel draw for me, and between having finally booked a three-night trip and being on the Hyatt status hamster wheel, I chose to stay at the relatively new Hyatt Regency Algiers Airport.

As the name aptly demonstrates, the Hyatt Regency is located at Algiers’ Houari Boumediene International Airport, and is directly connected to the new airport terminal via an open-air bridge. While the immediate vicinity of the property isn’t walkable or interesting beyond the convenience of being at the airport, the neighborhood of Bab Ezzouar [the La Défense of Algiers, as said by the locals] is around the corner while Algiers’ city center is an approximately twenty-minute drive away.

Note that although you won’t find the hotel clearly marked on signs at the airport, it is connected via the aforementioned bridge at the new terminal. If you happen to arrive at the admittedly dreadful old terminal, you can access the same bridge by exiting the building, turning left and taking the bridge located there. The hotel also offers a convenient and complimentary shuttle service for the less adventurous or those with clunky luggage, but I would highly recommend that proper signage be placed in and around the airport to guide guests either to a dedicated desk, shuttle schedule or to the bridge.

Having opened in 2017 and with the buffer period provided by COVID, the hotel is relatively fresh. A modern, corporate look dictates the property feel, with a prevailing color scheme of grey broken up by pops of color. The reception desks are immediately located at the entrance, with the entrance to the Palmette Restaurant to the right and the entrance to the Palmette Bar to the left. Both venues are located behind the reception.

Check-in was initially a clumsy affair, with the reception desks unmanned and multiple staff members standing about preoccupied with conversations between themselves rather than offering help to an arriving guest. When a friendly agent finally arrived and began checking me in, she insisted that my rate didn’t include breakfast. When I gently clarified that breakfast was an inclusion given my status with Hyatt, she pushed back that it wasn’t even though I was given an upgrade as part of the status. After a little more to and fro, another agent came out and explained that breakfast was indeed included on account of status; I was also given a small card detailing various service timings at the Regency Club but due to the closure of that venue, an alternative service would be offered at the Palmette Bar at the same timings of those at the Regency Club.

The hotel has six guest room floors accessible by keycard. I was upgraded from a standard king to a Deluxe King, and was assigned a room on the fifth floor facing the airport. The hotel offers no suites.

The Deluxe King rooms differ from their standard counterparts by offering an advertised footprint of 45 square meters, although I’m sure the room I received was larger. Upon entry, there was an open closet with a ledge and shelving space to the left, and two sliding doors to the bathroom on the right. The bedroom area beyond yielded a very comfortable king bed, and no less than four different seating options between a desk and chair below the wall-mounted TV, a two-seater couch and table at the foot of the bed, another three-seater couch and a two-seater dining table next to it. A bank of large windows facing the airport and mountains beyond allowed lots of light to illuminate the grey-heavy bedroom.

The bathroom featured a sink with generous counter space and a small nook built into the wall, bathtub, separate shower stall and an additional stall containing the commode and bidet. Toiletries were from a local brand rather than the Pharmacopia products standard for the Hyatt Regency brand, and I found them very heavily perfumed and viscous.

Everything in the room worked and was in good condition, although I must remark that sound insulation via the windows was weak as I could hear every takeoff/landing, honking horn and blaring siren throughout my time in the room.

Wi-fi is pleasantly fast and complimentary, with password-free access and decent coverage throughout the hotel.

As mentioned above, the hotel’s dining facilities are offered via the Palmette Restaurant and adjacent Palmette Bar on the ground floor behind the reception. The hotel’s website also mentioned a grab-and-go Palmette Market, and although this space is marked and set aside to the left of the reception desks, it appears to have been closed for quite some time.

Breakfast was offered in the Palmette Restaurant, and is available between 6:00 and 10:00 AM as an extensive buffet on par with premium hotel standards. There were several stations containing staples such as vegetables, cold dishes [such as hummus and eggplant dip], yogurt and pastries, as well as a counter in the back of the restaurant containing a rotating menu of hot dishes and an egg station. A separate counter with two coffee machines is also available, and is self-service - although every now and then, I found a team member next to the machines pushing the buttons for guests. The quality of food was very good, and is more than sufficient to constitute a full, hearty breakfast.

In lieu of the closed Regency Club, guests staying in rooms with club access and World of Hyatt Globalist members are offered an alternative service in the form of an evening happy hour at the Palmette Bar, located to the left of the reception and on the opposite end of the large space containing the Palmette Restaurant. Although previous online reviews pointed to a generous offering of ordering anything off the food and drinks menus, this has since been dialed back where qualifying guests are complimentarily offered either Algerian wines or beer off the drinks menu [international wines, cocktails and spirits now incur an extra charge], and food inclusions are relegated to the selection of appetizers, sandwiches or pizzas rather than the entire menu. I didn’t have an issue with this selection, as the food portions were very generous and high quality, and I found Algerian wine to be surprisingly delightful to drink.

The hotel has a large indoor swimming pool and gym on the second floor. Open from 8 AM to 8 PM, the pool is cool but refreshing and has a dedicated lane for lap swimmers, while many loungers and an outdoor terrace round out the space. There are two small rooms adjacent to the pool separated by gender, and these contain a shower and steam room each. The gym is open 24 hours, and contains an extensive variety of equipment and free weights as is to be expected from a premium hotel.

The hotel has a selection of meeting rooms and a ballroom, and these saw frequent use from major companies during my stay.

Aside from the initial confusion around property benefits at check-in, service at the hotel was generally professional and friendly. English fluency is a bit of an issue with some staff, but they certainly try to bridge the gaps. Insider tip: if you speak French, you’ll be good to go!

Special shout-out to Sara from the front desk and Toufik from the Palmette Restaurant/Bar for their service delivery, and for being very nice to deal with throughout.

Hyatt Regency Algiers Airport is a welcome addition to the Hyatt footprint, and gives Algiers another world-class name and hotel. I would highly recommend this property given its facilities and connectivity to the airport and city, even if a more centrally-located hotel wouldn’t go amiss. Hopefully Hyatt is scouting other locations…