Accommodation in Ethiopia generally offers good value for money by international standards. Even the smallest towns typically have several basic and inexpensive guesthouses, while larger towns may have hundreds of options. However, cleanliness and comfort levels are generally low, and accommodation aimed at a more demanding clientele is less common, except in Addis Ababa and major tourist centers.
Hotels and lodges with unique character are even rarer and are often recommended only for their functionality. When you arrive at any hotel or guesthouse, remember that Ethiopians often refer to any room with one bed as a single, even if it has a double bed and is suitable for a couple.
If you request a double room, you will often be shown a twin room, which is usually more expensive than a single-that-is-actually-a-double. Reportedly due to homophobic propaganda, many lodgings in Ethiopia now prohibit two men from sharing a room with a double bed, and some object to men sharing a twin room, while people are generally more relaxed about two women sharing.
Hotels, Resorts, and Lodges
Hotels that genuinely meet international standards are not common. Chains like Radisson Blu, Hilton, and Sheraton are present in Addis Ababa, and there is at least one hotel, resort, or lodge of comparable quality in Bishoftu, Bahir Dar, Lake Langano, Hawassa, and Bale Mountains National Park.
Most important tourist sites, such as Gondar, Lalibela, Gheralta, Ziway, and Simien Mountains National Park, have at least one hotel or lodge that approaches international standards. Most "proper" hotels in Ethiopia are bland, multi-story "city hotels" offering functional but forgettable en-suite accommodation. These hotels usually offer hot water, satellite TV, Wi-Fi, and a restaurant serving local and international dishes.
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In some cases, such hotels will be clean, modern, well-maintained, and well-managed. However, many are run-down, and it is rare to find a room where everything works perfectly. Two popular tourist destinations that suffer from a lack of quality tourist accommodation are Aksum and Harar.
Hostels and Budget Accommodation
There are no proper youth or backpacker hostels in Ethiopia, although a couple of established backpacker hangouts in Addis Ababa come close, at least in that they are good places to meet other travelers. Otherwise, budget accommodation generally falls into two broad categories.
The second category comprises the countless basic local guesthouses found in most towns, usually near the bus station. Most of these charge under $8 for a room, though foreigners are often asked for an exaggerated "faranji" price. Many budget travelers use this type of accommodation, but it is basic: bare and grubby rooms with less-than-pristine common showers, often plagued by fleas or bedbugs. Many such places also double as brothels and cannot be recommended to solo female travelers.
Campsites
Unlike many African countries, Ethiopia offers limited opportunities for organized camping. The main exceptions are the Bale and Simien mountains national parks, where hikers can, and in some circumstances might need to, camp.
Here's a summary table of accommodation types and locations:
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| Accommodation Type | Location | Features |
|---|---|---|
| International Standard Hotels | Addis Ababa, Bishoftu, Bahir Dar, Lake Langano, Hawassa, Bale Mountains National Park | Hot water, satellite TV, Wi-Fi, restaurant |
| City Hotels | Most towns | Functional en-suite accommodation, local and international dishes |
| Budget Guesthouses | Most towns | Basic rooms, common showers, low prices |
| Camping | Bale and Simien Mountains National Parks | Limited organized camping |
Best Budget Hotels in Bahir Dar | Affordable hotels in Bahir Dar
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tags: #Ethiopia
