The best accommodations Ethiopia

This group of 8 community huts is run by a family in Rira (6 km before the lodge). Authentic, cut off from the rest of the world, these bamboo huts with 3 or 4 beds are very rudimentary, given the extreme living conditions in the mountains. There is a sanitary block with cold water, but no electricity. Cleanliness is questionable, as in all village huts, so take a comforter or meat bag if you have one. Meals on request in advance, for supplies. Breakfast with homemade bread and local honey.

We've been eagerly awaiting the construction of a new small, unpretentious hotel "à la Chinafrique", like those that exist all over the country. Now it's here. Siko Mendo is a very recent two-storey building, the best option in the region for staying at the foot of the Bale massif on a budget without sacrificing comfort. There are 30 modern, cosy rooms, relatively inexpensive compared with mountain lodges, with private bathrooms and hot water. There's also a good Ethiopian vegetarian restaurant on site.

The best budget address in Awassa, close to the lake. The house has 6 double rooms and 2 family rooms, very simple, well kept, with mosquito netting and private bathroom (hot water), quite correct for the price. Breakfast is exceptional, with pancakes and fresh juices. Zebra Guesthouse is run by a friendly Belgian-Ethiopian couple who live here (Brigitte speaks French). They also have an agency that can organize trips to the south, especially as Wonde is originally from Arba Minch.

Another good option is a very recent business-oriented hotel 300 m from the lake, offering spacious rooms at affordable prices, with attractive floors and very well equipped (WiFi, TV, telephone, private bathroom). The more expensive rooms have bay windows and balconies overlooking greenery and the lake. The hotel may be a little older than its rivals and not quite as close to the lake, but it's still an excellent option for busy weekends, for example.

This new building is the best hotel in town. It offers rooms at reasonable prices, given the services included (comfortable, spotless rooms, private bathroom with hot water, WiFi, breakfast...). The restaurant is also a great value. There's also a cash dispenser in the lobby. There's no point in trying the small guesthouses for a handful of birr for much more spartan comfort and cleanliness.

Haile Resort, which opened in 2018, is the large luxury hotel complex that has been missing from this town, a landmark stopover for tourists on the road to Konso and the Omo Valley. This 107-room complex unfolds in three wings above the town and facing the forest. Magnificent views from the rooms and the chic bar-restaurant with its tree-lined outdoor terrace. Swimming pool, spa with hammam, sauna, massage, rooms with state-of-the-art equipment, television, air conditioning, high-performance WiFi, family units or with lounge... It's all here.

This small local guesthouse is acceptable for small budgets, with rudimentary but adequate rooms for a one or two-night stay, satisfactory service and friendly staff. However, we recommend that you opt for the garden-side rooms, which are more pleasant than the noisy street-side ones. They are well equipped (bathroom with hot water, clean, comfortable bedding). Its main assets: a very pleasant restaurant with a garden terrace, and good Wifi.

Dessié's latest hotel is a six-storey building offering excellent value for money in terms of clean, modern rooms with TV, WiFi, desk and en-suite bathrooms with hot water. The hotel's glitz and glamour may make you smile, but the rooms are very comfortable and this is the best hotel in town. The restaurant on the second floor is also worth a visit, and although the service is sometimes sketchy, the food is very good. And the manager is always on hand.

This hotel, located on the north edge of town along the main road in a modern four-storey building, is a good alternative to Dessié's expensive hotels and rustic guesthouses, all at reasonable prices. Rooms are fairly modern, clean, comfortable and bright, with tiled floors, individual bathrooms with hot water, plasma-screen TV, WiFi and telephone. The on-site restaurant serves pizzas, burgers and classic Ethiopian dishes. Good reception and parking.

For those who can't stand baby cries, this affordable hotel in the heart of Piazza promises calm mornings. Dedicated exclusively to adults, business travelers and tourists alike, the Denver Boutique Hotel offers colorful, comfortable rooms in a new building. Parquet flooring, bay windows, large soft beds, a desk - everything is dressed in classic Ethiopian style, with shimmering fabrics. Prices are very reasonable, given the neighborhood. Suites are more expensive, with bathtubs. Wifi. No restaurant or breakfast.

The best hotel in Kombolcha for an overnight stay on the way to Bati, Lalibela or Mékélé, with clean rooms, each with a functional bathroom and appreciable hot water. We recommend a visit to choose your room, which may or may not be well maintained. Charming antique Ethiopian furniture and Wifi at reception. Attentive staff. We really appreciate the restaurant here, run by a very friendly Italian who prepares excellent pizzas and dishes. Breakfast is also splendid.

This is a very recent hotel, with charming stone tukuls as rooms, all with a lovely view and comfortable, well-made furnishings. The rooms are well-decorated with character, the bathrooms are spacious and well-maintained, and the cleanliness is impeccable. Each of the tukuls has a small terrace and a large, massive, carved wooden door. The welcome is warm and friendly, the owner and his staff are very attentive, and the restaurant is top-notch. The lodge is a little removed from the hustle and bustle without being out of the center. A good plan. Wifi and parking.

A little out of the village center, Walya is the best option for a night's sleep in Debark, as it's a charming lodge offering views of the surrounding nature from the rooms. They are spacious, with two large beds each, bay windows in front, clean and pleasant, equipped with bathrooms with hot water and a balcony, to enjoy the view at sunrise. A really nice little family-run hotel with very attentive staff and a tukul restaurant serving delicious food (the best table in Debark).

Another new hotel in a modern building that's quite acceptable and reasonably priced (even though it claims to be 5-star, you can appreciate its "semi-luxury"). It's located 800 m from the boat harbor, right in the center of town. Perfectly-equipped rooms with cozy king-size beds (air-conditioning, WiFi and plasma-screen TV), dressed in moiré fabrics to great effect. Good breakfast and restaurant. The hotel also boasts a spa with hammam, sauna, gym and massage. At this price, it's great! Free airport shuttle.

The Hotel New Yorker is a majestic establishment dating back to 1929. Its Art Deco building offers breathtaking views of the Hudson River and is just a 12-minute walk from the Empire State Building. Relaxed rooms feature free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs. Some offer views of the city or the Empire State Building. The hotel also features three restaurants, a gym and meeting space. Breakfast is available at an additional cost, and valet parking is available. The hotel's location is ideal for shoppers, tourists and nightlife enthusiasts, with many restaurants, bars and attractions nearby. Whether for a business trip or a romantic getaway, Hotel New Yorker offers excellent value in an iconic New York setting.