Location: on the hill above the M'zab Valley
The hotel sits slightly away from Ghardaia's town centre, on a ridge overlooking the M'zab Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1982 with its fortified towns of Ghardaia, Beni Isguen, Melika, Bounoura and El Atteuf.
The market and old town are a few minutes away by car. Ghardaia – Noumerat (Moufdi Zakaria) airport is about half an hour by road, and Algiers about 600 km to the north.
A historic hotel, renovated
Opened in the early 1970s, the hotel was built on the remains of an old fort as a long building following the line of the hill, arranged around patios, one of them around the pool. Its design is attributed to Fernand Pouillon.
After a long closure it was renovated and reopened as Mzab Hotel. Rooms are air-conditioned and breakfast is served on site; room details (beds, size, view) are shown when you book. The pool is outdoors, so check it is open if you travel in winter.
When to go: winter and New Year in the M'zab
The best season for the Algerian south runs from October to April, with mild days and cool nights (bring a warm jacket in December and January).
The December holidays and New Year's Eve are very popular in the south and rooms go fast: book early to get the dates and rooms you want.