Danakil Depression

Planet Hotel

Name: Planet Hotel
Address: Danakil Depression, Ethiopia
Price range: From US$50 per person, per night

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Planet Hotel

About Planet Hotel

Cool comfort and good amenities en route to Earth's toughest desert.

Edging the Ethiopia's northeastern border, the Afar region is sometimes referred to as the Cradle of Humanity (it's where Lucy, the famous 3.2-million-year-old hominin, was found). Much more widely known, however, is its status as the hottest place on the planet. With year-round temperatures ranging between 24°C and 40°C, the Danakil Depression in the north wins this inauspicious designation. Obviously, travelling here is not for the faint-hearted. But one needn't suffer while journeying either. The Planet Hotel in Mekele, the region's largest city, has modern facilities with all the amenities needed to gird you for the (admittedly long) road ahead.

Danakil Depression , Ethiopia

From $50 per person/per night

City

80 Rooms

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Property details

The property

The Planet Hotel stands tall amid the buzzing northern city of Mekele. A mid-rise by big city standards, it nevertheless reflects a respectable exterior – modern and well-maintained. Expect a decent range of facilities, from a heated pool, fitness centre, spa and restaurant that serves mostly international fare (of varying quality). There’s even a small grocery store that supplies last-minute provisions for the journey north.

The rooms

Rooms here range from the Standard, which sleeps two guests in either a double or two twin beds, and has a footprint of 28 square metres, to the Executive Suite, which sleeps four guests in a king and two twin beds and spreads across a roomy 98 square metres. In between are Queen and the Suite – offering a king-sized bed. All rooms have wi-fi (if intermittently), minibars, aircon and en-suite bathrooms.

Activities

Danakil is the hottest place on Earth. So why visit at all? First, the landscape is pure drama – with radiant, snaking fissures, steaming hot springs, geysers, colourful mineral deposits tie-dying the desert red, yellow and vivid green, and lava lakes lighting up the night sky. Second, you're not alone – the nomadic Afar people make their home here, harvesting salt and camel-trekking it to market. Guided tours are popular, but do your due diligence before booking anything.

Why we love it

Air-con. A swimming pool. Ice. Anything that will cool your core before and after you venture into the sweltering unknown.

Insiders Tip

Have a chat with the front desk staff for any advice before you head into the desert. The journey there can take more than a day and even if you've booked a tour, you'll need to come prepared.

Something to think about

While Planet Hotel may lack personality, you'll be grateful for its ship-shape amenities. In these parts, air-con beats charm any day of the week.

Trips

Tours & Trips

Start with a recommended trip or create one from scratch

Ethiopia

Exploring the Danakil Depression

10 nights from $7.1K per person

Addis Ababa Danakil Depression Gheralta

Design a Custom Trip

Plan your stay

How to book Planet Hotel

How do I book Planet Hotel?

Planet Hotel can be booked with Timbuktu as part of a tailor-made Ethiopia trip, rather than as a standalone room reservation. Start online, customising one of our recommended Ethiopia trips featuring Planet Hotel or get advice and suggestions from one of our Ethiopia specialists who will design the trip around your dates, check availability and handle every booking for you.

How much does it cost to stay at Planet Hotel?

Stays at Planet Hotel start from around $50 per person per night as part of a tailor-made trip. The exact price depends on your travel dates, room type and the shape of the rest of your itinerary. A Timbuktu travel specialist can give you an accurate quote for your dates.

Ethiopia

Danakil Depression

The hottest and lowest place on earth is fierce, surreal and totally otherworldly.