The best accommodations West

This is without doubt the best place to stay in Ambo, and the perfect base camp for visiting the region. This large, five-storey building of good standing comes as a surprise in such a small town. The hotel restaurant offers a good choice of local and international cuisine. Well-kept rooms feature en suite bathrooms, TV, balcony and WiFi. Some twin rooms are less expensive. The owner has another address on the slopes of Mount Wenchi, convenient for exploring the crater.

This lodge, set in the heart of the Menagasha forest, is one of the finest addresses in the region. It was a royal residence during the reign of Haile Selassie. It is renowned for its hot thermal springs, which supply water at 40°C to both indoor and outdoor pools. It's a restful place, with very comfortable and tastefully furnished tukuls (each room is decorated according to a different Ethiopian ethnic group). In the garden, colobus monkeys, dik-diks, damans and multicolored birds are frequent visitors. Spa and Wifi.

A lodge attracts many birdwatchers who come to observe the wide variety of birds on the Didessa River where it is located. The eponymous nature reserve (despite the hotel's name) is actually located 100 km south of Nekemt, and covers 1,300 ^km2. A protected forest, also crossed by the Didessa River, rich in wildlife (elephants, buffalo, hippos, baboons and gazelles). Visit the reserve from the lodge. Possibility of camping.

Jimma lacked good, up-to-date hotels to accommodate business travelers to the regions, but especially tourists wanting to visit this very remote part of Ethiopia, teeming with incredible tribes. Awetu Grand Hotel opened a few years ago, and is now one of the city's most comfortable hotels. Modern, clean and affordable. Rooms are pretty and cozy, with brand-new private bathrooms with hot water, some with balconies. We only regret the lack of air-conditioning in the heat. Bar and wi-fi.

Now the city's newest hotel, having been inaugurated in 2018, Illu Star offers pretty, comfortable rooms with en suite bathrooms featuring hot water, TV, WiFi, comfortable bedding, all at really modest prices. No need to look elsewhere for better comfort or value for money. What's more, the hotel not only boasts a lively restaurant, but also a spa and gym. Unexpected and really nice for a stopover in this remote, little-visited region.

This hotel, housed in a recent pale-blue building, is located in the heart of the town of Nekemt. It's one of the best addresses in town, with a certain standing right from the entrance. The service is excellent, the staff friendly and the restaurant serves good Ethiopian cuisine, including typical Wallaga dishes. Coffee ceremony in the hotel's superb lobby. Rooms with private bathrooms and hot water are cosy, spotlessly clean and super-affordable for a European wallet. Great comfort.