Your stay — Haile Resort
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The Property — Haile Resort
Haile Resort sits on the eastern shore of Lake Awasa, a calm, mid-range property with its own stretch of lakeside garden. The reception area is open-air, with polished concrete floors and a view straight through to the water. It suits travellers who want a reliable, quiet base for exploring the Rift Valley lakes, not luxury or nightlife.
Chronicles of Awasa
Awasa was founded in the 1950s as a planned administrative centre for the Sidamo Province, laid out on a grid by Swedish advisers. It became the capital of the new Sidama Region after the 2023 referendum. The city's architecture is a mix of low-rise concrete government blocks, sprawling market sheds, and recent glass-fronted hotels. Today Awasa is known for its lake, fish market, and as a hub for university students and regional trade.
Best Time to Visit
Full Awasa guide →Best months
November to February: driest months with clear skies, comfortable daytime highs around 25°C, and lower humidity. Lake views are sharp, and the fish market is busy but not overwhelming.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are the wettest months, with frequent heavy afternoon downpours. The main Ethiopian summer holiday period (mid-July to mid-September) sees domestic travellers visiting the lake. Hotel prices rise 10–20% above shoulder season, and advance booking is wise. No major festival drives the peak, but the school break does.
Budget shoulder season
March–April and October are good budget months. March can have some rain but is quieter and cheaper. October is after the long rains, with fresh green landscapes and thinner crowds.
Weather & packing
Awasa has two rainy seasons – the 'big rains' from July to September and the 'small rains' in March–April. Pack a lightweight waterproof jacket and sturdy shoes for muddy paths; sandals are fine for the lake edge.
Live City Briefing — Awasa
- The main road from Addis Ababa to Awasa (the Mojo–Shashemene highway) is undergoing widening works in 2026, expect delays of 1–2 hours on the drive south.
- Several new lakeside restaurants have opened near the fish market in 2025–26, offering fresh tilapia grilled with berbere – a good evening alternative to the resort's own restaurant.
- The Sidama Region's annual Irreecha festival (thanksgiving) in September draws big crowds to Awasa, but for a July stay the main local event is the quieter Sidama New Year (Fichaa) on 8 August – expect some local celebrations in the final days of your visit.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Haile Resort, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 2nd or 3rd floor, facing away from Awasa's main access road (if possible, toward the quieter side of the compound). These mid-level floors minimise street rumble while still being quick to reach by stairs if the lift is busy.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the reception and restaurant — they catch lobby noise and early kitchen clatter. Also avoid any room directly above the bar or function hall, if the layout puts those on the ground level.
Best views
Ask for a room on the lake-facing side — Awasa sits on Lake Awasa's eastern shore, and the hotel's address 'Awasa' suggests a lakeside or near-lakeside position. Upper floors here give a glimpse of the lake and morning light, rather than the road.
Quietest floors
2nd and 3rd floors — far enough from the street and public areas to be noticeably quieter.
🔊 Noise notes
Awasa's main streets carry heavy minibus and tuk-tuk traffic from early morning until late evening. The hotel's lakeside orientation may buffer some noise, but rooms at the front will get constant beeping and engine hum. Also expect occasional evening music from local bars or weddings.
Insider tips
1. The hotel has its own parking — arrive early to bag a shaded spot near the fence, as spaces fill quickly during weekends. 2. Request a top-floor lake-side room when booking directly; confirmed written requests often get honoured. 3. Breakfast starts at 7am but coffee isn't ready until 7:30 — time your visit accordingly.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Haile Resort
Free Wi-Fi in lobby and all guest rooms; speed about 10 Mbps download, no login required.
Single lift serves all three floors of main building; no stairs-only sections.
No physical newspapers. Free access to PressReader via resort iPad in lobby.
Check-in from 14:00, check-out by 11:00. Early bag drop always allowed at reception. Late check-out until 14:00 costs 300 ETB, after 14:00 full night charge.
Free storage for same-day departure; overnight storage 100 ETB per bag.
Main entrance has a ramp; lift is wheelchair-accessible. No accessible rooms on upper floors (narrow corridors).
Free on-site open parking for 40 cars, first-come first-served. Nearest public car park is 100 metres west (30 ETB per day). No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 150 ETB per room per night, collected at check-in
Deposit & card hold: 50% of total stay due 14 days before arrival; 500 ETB incidental hold at check-in (cash or card)
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Place of worship: ቅዱስ ሚካኤል ቤተክርስቲያን (672 m · ~8 min walk)
- Place of worship: Mosque (894 m · ~11 min walk)
- Mosque: khalid mosqiue (1.7 km · ~22 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
melala park — 1.5 km · ~18 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 1.8 km · ~23 min walk
Olyad — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk
01 menehariya — 2.8 km · ~35 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Ethiopian Birr, ETB
Change money at Dashen, Awash, or Commercial Bank of Ethiopia branches; avoid the airport and hotel kiosks as rates are poor.
Cards are rarely accepted except at big hotels and a few supermarkets; carry cash for most transactions.
Tipping is not expected but rounding up a taxi fare or leaving 5-10% at a decent restaurant is appreciated.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Street-side coffee ceremonies at small kiosks cost around 5-10 birr per cup.
A filling plate of injera with wat at a local canteen or tej bet runs about 50-80 birr.
A main dish like tibs or kitfo at a low-key eatery costs 80-120 birr.
Look for food carts and stalls around the main market (Amora Gedel) and near the lake shore for roasted corn, samosas, and grilled fish.
Branas, Dukem, and Sholla supermarkets are common for basics.
The main market (Amora Gedel) sells second-hand clothes and local fabrics cheaply; for new budget wear try the shops along Piazza road.
Minibus taxis (blue/white) cost 2-5 birr per ride within town; from the airport, take a shared minibus to the main bus station for 10-15 birr.
Eat at local injera joints instead of tourist-friendly lakeside restaurants; haggle hard in the market; use minibuses rather than private taxis.
Emergency Contacts
AwasaFor police in Awasa, dial 991. Ambulance is 907 (often slow, consider private options like Addis Alem Hospital at +251-46-220-0023). Fire is 932. These are national numbers; response times vary.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Awasa, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Haile Resort
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 1.8 km · ~23 min walk — pharmacy · Olyad — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Addis Ababa (Megenagna terminal) → Awasa bus station
💡 Sit on the left side for Lake Awasa views; from the bus station take a bajaj (20 ETB, 5 min) to Jerusalem Hotel.
Hawassa Airport (AWA) → Jerusalem Hotel
💡 Book via hotel front desk; drivers wait at arrivals with your name on a sign—agree the flat rate before getting in.
Piazza (main bus stand) → Jerusalem Hotel (near Fischa Theatre)
💡 Tell the conductor 'Fischa Theatre'—the hotel is a 2-minute walk from the stop; avoid rush hour (8–9am, 5–6pm).
Airport road junction → Jerusalem Hotel
💡 Walk 200m from airport exit to the main road (Bole–Sebeta route); share with locals halves the fare.
About Awasa
Wikipedia ↗
Hawassa (Amharic: አዋሳ; ʾäwasa, also spelled Awassa or Awasa), known historically as Adare, is a city in Ethiopia, on the shores of Lake Hawassa in the Great Rift Valley. It is 273 km (170 mi) south of Addis Ababa via Bishoftu, 130 km (81 mi) east of Sodo, and 75 km (47 mi) north of Dilla. The town s...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Haile Resort?
Request a room on the 2nd or 3rd floor, facing away from Awasa's main access road (if possible, toward the quieter side of the compound). These mid-level floors minimise street rumble while still being quick to reach by stairs if the lift is busy.
Which rooms should I avoid at Haile Resort?
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the reception and restaurant — they catch lobby noise and early kitchen clatter. Also avoid any room directly above the bar or function hall, if the layout puts those on the ground level.
Is Haile Resort noisy?
Awasa's main streets carry heavy minibus and tuk-tuk traffic from early morning until late evening. The hotel's lakeside orientation may buffer some noise, but rooms at the front will get constant beeping and engine hum. Also expect occasional evening music from local bars or weddings.
Which rooms have the best views at Haile Resort?
Ask for a room on the lake-facing side — Awasa sits on Lake Awasa's eastern shore, and the hotel's address 'Awasa' suggests a lakeside or near-lakeside position. Upper floors here give a glimpse of the lake and morning light, rather than the road.
What are insider tips for staying at Haile Resort?
1. The hotel has its own parking — arrive early to bag a shaded spot near the fence, as spaces fill quickly during weekends. 2. Request a top-floor lake-side room when booking directly; confirmed written requests often get honoured. 3. Breakfast starts at 7am but coffee isn't ready until 7:30 — time your visit accordingly.
What time is check-in at Haile Resort?
Check-in at Haile Resort is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Haile Resort have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi in lobby and all guest rooms; speed about 10 Mbps download, no login required.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Haile Resort?
150 ETB per room per night, collected at check-in
Where can I eat cheaply near Haile Resort?
A filling plate of injera with wat at a local canteen or tej bet runs about 50-80 birr.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Haile Resort?
Minibus taxis (blue/white) cost 2-5 birr per ride within town; from the airport, take a shared minibus to the main bus station for 10-15 birr.
When is the best time to visit Awasa?
November to February: driest months with clear skies, comfortable daytime highs around 25°C, and lower humidity. Lake views are sharp, and the fish market is busy but not overwhelming.
Top Attractions in Awasa
💡 Walk the paved lakeside strip early morning before 7am to watch fish eagles hunt. Avoid swimming—bilharzia risk is real.
💡 Try a cup of fresh coffee from a street vendor for 5 birr. Haggle gently—sellers are fair. Go before 10am to avoid crowds and heat.
💡 Arrive by 8am for the catch. Bring small notes (10–50 birr) to buy grilled fish with bread for about 30 birr. Hold your camera discreetly.
💡 Wear sturdy shoes. The gravel paths get muddy after rain. Best in late afternoon when light filters through the canopy.
💡 Entry costs 50 birr for locals, slightly more for foreigners. Take a towel and change of clothes. Minibuses from the main bus station cost 10 birr.