Your stay — Rift Valey Hotel
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The Property — Rift Valey Hotel
Rift Valley Hotel feels like a mid-century lakeside retreat that hasn't quite caught up with the 21st century. The lobby is cool and tiled, with a faint smell of chlorine from the small pool out back, and the staff are friendly but relaxed — don't expect fast check-in. It's a 3-star property aimed at budget-conscious travellers who want Lake Awasa views and a garden to sit in, not luxury or efficiency. The USP is location: you're a five-minute walk from the fish market and the lakeshore promenade, which is hard to beat for the price.
Chronicles of Awasa
Awasa was founded in the 1950s as the capital of the newly formed Sidamo Province, making it one of Ethiopia's youngest major cities. Its grid layout reflects a mid-20th-century planning effort, with wide avenues and a central market square. Architecturally, it's a mix of low-rise concrete buildings from the 1960s-70s and newer glass-fronted hotels and banks, but no historic core. Today it's the administrative capital of the Sidama Region (since 2020) and a relaxed university town, known for its lakeside fish restaurants and as a gateway to Rift Valley lakes.
Best Time to Visit
Full Awasa guide →Best months
November to February: clear skies, daytime highs around 25°C, very little rain, and the lake is calm; tourists are few except around Christmas.
Peak / festival surge
Peak is December to early January (holiday season) and July-August (European summer). During these months hotels can be 20-30% more expensive. The main event is the Ethiopian New Year (Enkutatash) in September, but it doesn't spike prices in Awasa.
Budget shoulder season
April to June and September to October offer mild weather (some rain but plenty of sun) and lower room rates — you'll often find discounts of 10-15% at the Rift Valley Hotel.
Weather & packing
Awasa's climate is mild year-round but rainy seasons (March-May and June-September) bring sudden downpours, often in the late afternoon. Pack a lightweight waterproof jacket and a pair of solid walking shoes — flip-flops won't cut it if you're caught in a shower.
Live City Briefing — Awasa
- The lakeshore promenade reopened in early 2026 after a six-month upgrade with better lighting and seating — you can now walk from the fish market to the hotel without navigating muddy patches.
- Awasa's new bus terminal (opened late 2025) has shifted most long-distance departures 3 km east of the city centre, so factor in a 30-minute minibus ride to the hotel.
- July is the start of the long rainy season — expect heavy afternoon thunderstorms most days, but mornings are usually fine for exploring.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Rift Valey Hotel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the third floor facing the garden (rear side) — furthest from the main road and lift, quieter and cooler.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms near reception or the front entrance; they pick up lobby noise and foot traffic. Also skip rooms directly above the bar or kitchen (likely first floor).
Best views
Garden-side rooms on upper floors give a green outlook; front-facing ones look onto Awasa’s main road.
Quietest floors
Floors 2 and 3 are quietest; the lift stops at these levels but less footfall than floor 1.
🔊 Noise notes
Awasa has heavy motorbike and minibus traffic honking until late; front rooms suffer. Also nearby bars play music until midnight.
Insider tips
1) Park your vehicle in the guarded lot behind the hotel — safer than street parking. 2) Check in early (before 14:00) to secure a garden-facing room; they only have a few on each floor.
- 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 — Rift Valey Hotel
Free basic Wi-Fi in lobby and common areas, slow (under 2 Mbps); no paid upgrade available.
No lift; ground-floor rooms only (2-storey building with stairs).
No physical papers or digital newsstand; lobby TV has local channels.
Standard 14:00 check-in; early bag drop allowed (no cost); late check-out until 12:00 for 50% of night rate if available.
Free for day-of arrival/departure only; longer storage not offered.
Ground floor accessible via one step at entrance; no wheelchair-accessible rooms or bathrooms; no lift.
Free on-site parking for 6 cars (first-come, first-served); nearest public parking is on the street (free).
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking; no incidental hold at check-in (small hotel, pay up front).
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Place of worship: ቅዱስ ሚካኤል ቤተክርስቲያን (565 m · ~7 min walk)
- Mosque: khalid mosqiue (1.1 km · ~13 min walk)
- Place of worship: Mosque (1.3 km · ~16 min walk)
- Place of worship: church (1.4 km · ~17 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
melala park — 578 m · ~7 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 806 m · ~10 min walk
Olyad — 1.3 km · ~17 min walk
01 menehariya — 1.6 km · ~19 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Ethiopian Birr, ETB
Change money at Dashen Bank or Commercial Bank of Ethiopia branches in Awasa; avoid the airport and tourist hotels where rates are significantly worse.
Cards are accepted in mid-range hotels and supermarkets, but most local shops and street vendors are cash-only; contactless is rare.
Restaurants: 10% if service charge not added (common in formal places). Taxis: round up to nearest 10 Birr. Hotel staff: 20-50 Birr for porters or cleaners.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Small single espresso from a roadside kiosk with fresh beans; about 10-15 Birr.
Injera and a small portion of shiro or lentils with vegetables: 80-120 Birr.
A main course of grilled tilapia (local fish) with injera or rice: 120-180 Birr.
Around the bus station (Piassa) and the lakeside market area, you'll find fried dough, roasted corn, and samosas for 5-20 Birr each.
Rama Supermarket chain has branches along the main road to the university; also City Supermarket near the lake.
The open-air market near the main bus terminal (Awusa Suq) sells secondhand clothes and fabric; also shops along the main Addis Ababa road.
Bajaj (three-wheeled tuk-tuk) rides within town: 10-20 Birr per trip shared, 30-50 Birr private. From Awasa Airport, a bajaj into town is about 50-70 Birr, or walk 15 minutes to the main road for a minibus.
Eat at local 'bunna bets' (coffee houses) instead of tourist hotels; use bajaj for shared transport rather than private taxis; buy fresh produce from the lakeside market rather than small shops.
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 Rift Valey Hotel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 806 m · ~10 min walk — pharmacy · Olyad — 1.3 km · ~17 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 Rift Valey Hotel?
Request a room on the third floor facing the garden (rear side) — furthest from the main road and lift, quieter and cooler.
Which rooms should I avoid at Rift Valey Hotel?
Avoid ground-floor rooms near reception or the front entrance; they pick up lobby noise and foot traffic. Also skip rooms directly above the bar or kitchen (likely first floor).
Is Rift Valey Hotel noisy?
Awasa has heavy motorbike and minibus traffic honking until late; front rooms suffer. Also nearby bars play music until midnight.
Which rooms have the best views at Rift Valey Hotel?
Garden-side rooms on upper floors give a green outlook; front-facing ones look onto Awasa’s main road.
What are insider tips for staying at Rift Valey Hotel?
1) Park your vehicle in the guarded lot behind the hotel — safer than street parking. 2) Check in early (before 14:00) to secure a garden-facing room; they only have a few on each floor.
What time is check-in at Rift Valey Hotel?
Check-in at Rift Valey Hotel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Rift Valey Hotel have Wi-Fi?
Free basic Wi-Fi in lobby and common areas, slow (under 2 Mbps); no paid upgrade available.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Rift Valey Hotel?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Rift Valey Hotel?
Injera and a small portion of shiro or lentils with vegetables: 80-120 Birr.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Rift Valey Hotel?
Bajaj (three-wheeled tuk-tuk) rides within town: 10-20 Birr per trip shared, 30-50 Birr private. From Awasa Airport, a bajaj into town is about 50-70 Birr, or walk 15 minutes to the main road for a minibus.
When is the best time to visit Awasa?
November to February: clear skies, daytime highs around 25°C, very little rain, and the lake is calm; tourists are few except around Christmas.
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.