Your stay — Melody Rooms
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Awasa.
The Property — Melody Rooms
The Melody Rooms hotel in Awasa, Ethiopia, offers a comfortable and convenient stay with its 3-star facilities. Standing in the lobby, you'll notice the simple yet elegant decor, which reflects the hotel's focus on providing a relaxing atmosphere for its guests. This hotel is ideal for travellers who want to explore the city's natural attractions, such as Lake Awasa, and prefer a no-frills yet clean and safe environment. The hotel's proximity to the city centre also makes it a great choice for those who want to experience the local culture and cuisine.
Chronicles of Awasa
Awasa, the capital of the Sidama Region, has a rich history dating back to the 19th century when it was a small trading centre. The city's architectural evolution is evident in its mix of traditional and modern buildings, with the Awasa Kenema Road being a notable example of its growth. Today, Awasa is a thriving city with a strong cultural identity, known for its traditional coffee ceremonies and local markets. The city is also home to the Awasa Lake, a popular spot for birdwatching and fishing. As a major urban centre in southern Ethiopia, Awasa continues to develop its infrastructure and amenities, making it an attractive destination for tourists and business travellers alike.
Best Time to Visit
Full Awasa guide →Best months
The best months to visit Awasa are October, November, and December, when the weather is mild and dry, with average temperatures ranging from 18 to 22 degrees Celsius. These months offer ideal conditions for outdoor activities, such as hiking and birdwatching, and the crowds are relatively smaller compared to the peak season.
Peak / festival surge
The peak season in Awasa is January, when the city hosts the Ethiopian Christmas celebrations, known as Ganna, which attracts large crowds and drives up hotel prices. During this time, the hotel prices can increase by up to 20%, and it's essential to book in advance to secure a room.
Budget shoulder season
The best budget shoulder months to visit Awasa are June and September, when the weather is mild and the crowds are smaller. During these months, you can expect discounts on hotel rooms and a more relaxed atmosphere, making it an ideal time for budget-conscious travellers.
Weather & packing
Awasa has a subtropical highland climate, with significant rainfall during the summer months, so it's essential to pack waterproof gear and layers for cooler evenings. When packing for your trip, make sure to include a lightweight rain jacket and warm clothing for the evenings, as the temperature can drop significantly after sunset.
Live City Briefing — Awasa
- The Awasa Lake is currently undergoing a conservation project to protect its ecosystem and wildlife, which may affect boat tours and fishing activities. The city's new bus terminal is expected to open soon, improving public transportation and making it easier for visitors to get around. The Sidama Region is preparing for its annual coffee festival, which will take place in October and feature local coffee producers, traditional music, and dance performances.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Melody Rooms, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the middle floors (3rd or 4th) facing away from the main road. These will be quieter and offer a decent vantage over the neighbourhood, plus lift access means no stairs.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the entrance or parking area – with only 10 spaces, there will be comings and goings. Also skip any room at the back if it backs onto service areas (inferred from a 3-star hotel's likely layout).
Best views
Awasa is flat and residential here – rooms on the front (facing Kebele 02 main road) will have a street view, nothing special. Side-facing rooms might glimpse the Rift Valley escarpment in the distance, but don't expect much.
Quietest floors
Floors 2–4 are quietest, away from street-level noise and the lift's ground-floor activity, and above any potential bar/restaurant on the ground floor.
🔊 Noise notes
Main road noise from Kebele 02 – likely taxis, bajajs, and early morning market traffic – plus the parking area directly underneath, and general lift hum when in use. Awasa Central Market is a 10-minute walk, so no market-sourced noise.
Insider tips
1. Book a parking space at check-in – there are only 10, and the public car park is a 15-min walk away. 2. The 10 Mbps WiFi is fine for basic browsing but don't plan on streaming – better to use mobile data for heavy stuff.
- 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 — Melody Rooms
free, 10 Mbps, no login required
serves all floors, no stairs-only sections
physical Ethiopian Herald and Daily Monitor papers available in lobby
14:00-20:00, early bag-drop from 10:00, late check-out until 16:00 for ETB 200 fee
available 24/7, free of charge
step-free access at main entrance, one wheelchair-accessible room
on-site parking for 10 vehicles, ETB 50 per night; nearest public car park at Awasa Central Market, ETB 20 per day, no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: ETB 500 advance deposit + ETB 200 incidental card hold at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: St.gabrial church (659 m · ~8 min walk)
- Mosque: Mosque - Arab Sefer (674 m · ~8 min walk)
- Church: መዲሃንአለም ኦርቶዶክስ ቤተክርስትያን (814 m · ~10 min walk)
- Church: Mekane Iyesus (1.0 km · ~13 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
St. Gabriel — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
Blue Nile Hotel — 2.2 km · ~27 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 651 m · ~8 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Ethiopian Birr, ETB
Use banks or licensed forex offices in Awasa; avoid the airport and tourist bureaux for poor rates.
Cards accepted in larger hotels and some supermarkets; most street vendors and small shops require cash.
10% at restaurants if no service charge; round up taxi fares; small tips (20-50 birr) for hotel porters.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Local coffee from a street-side bunna (coffee ceremony) stall for around 5-10 birr.
Injera with shiro or tibs from a local canteen for about 50-80 birr.
A main dish of fish or meat stew with injera at a simple restaurant for 80-120 birr.
Corn on the cob, roasted peanuts, or sambusas sold along main streets near the bus station and market area.
Supermarkets like Ethio Supermarket or Sheger Supermarket are common, with basic supplies.
The main market in Awasa (Arada area) has second-hand clothing and local fabrics at low prices.
Blue-and-white minibus taxis (bajaj or shared taxis) cost around 5-10 birr per ride; from Awasa airport, a bajaj into town is 50-100 birr.
Eat at local canteens instead of tourist cafes; use shared minibuses not private taxis; buy bottled water in bulk from supermarkets.
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 Melody Rooms
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 651 m · ~8 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 Melody Rooms?
Request a room on the middle floors (3rd or 4th) facing away from the main road. These will be quieter and offer a decent vantage over the neighbourhood, plus lift access means no stairs.
Which rooms should I avoid at Melody Rooms?
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the entrance or parking area – with only 10 spaces, there will be comings and goings. Also skip any room at the back if it backs onto service areas (inferred from a 3-star hotel's likely layout).
Is Melody Rooms noisy?
Main road noise from Kebele 02 – likely taxis, bajajs, and early morning market traffic – plus the parking area directly underneath, and general lift hum when in use. Awasa Central Market is a 10-minute walk, so no market-sourced noise.
Which rooms have the best views at Melody Rooms?
Awasa is flat and residential here – rooms on the front (facing Kebele 02 main road) will have a street view, nothing special. Side-facing rooms might glimpse the Rift Valley escarpment in the distance, but don't expect much.
What are insider tips for staying at Melody Rooms?
1. Book a parking space at check-in – there are only 10, and the public car park is a 15-min walk away. 2. The 10 Mbps WiFi is fine for basic browsing but don't plan on streaming – better to use mobile data for heavy stuff.
What time is check-in at Melody Rooms?
Check-in at Melody Rooms is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Melody Rooms have Wi-Fi?
free, 10 Mbps, no login required
Is there a city or tourist tax at Melody Rooms?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Melody Rooms?
Injera with shiro or tibs from a local canteen for about 50-80 birr.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Melody Rooms?
Blue-and-white minibus taxis (bajaj or shared taxis) cost around 5-10 birr per ride; from Awasa airport, a bajaj into town is 50-100 birr.
When is the best time to visit Awasa?
The best months to visit Awasa are October, November, and December, when the weather is mild and dry, with average temperatures ranging from 18 to 22 degrees Celsius. These months offer ideal conditions for outdoor activities, such as hiking and birdwatching, and the crowds are relatively smaller compared to the peak season.
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.