Your stay — DB POS ( Lisak Resort )
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The Property — DB POS ( Lisak Resort )
This lakeside resort feels like a low-key escape from Addis Ababa’s bustle, just an hour’s drive away. The lobby is open and airy, with tiled floors and views onto the garden and Lake Bishoftu. It’s a three-star that suits travellers who want a clean, no-fuss base for birdwatching or a quick weekend away — not luxury, just functional and calm.
Chronicles of Bishoftu
Bishoftu, formerly Debre Zeyit, grew around a 16th-century Jesuit mission and later a railway stop on the Addis Ababa–Djibouti line. The town’s modern identity took shape in the 1960s when the Ethiopian Air Force established its base here, bringing a military presence that still marks the townscape. Five crater lakes define its geography and draw weekenders for swimming and boat trips. Today it’s a relaxed resort town for Addis residents, with a mix of lakeside hotels and eucalyptus-shaded streets.
Best Time to Visit
Full Bishoftu guide →Best months
October and November, after the long rains, when the lakes are full and the sky is clear. December is also good, with cooler temperatures and fewer visitors.
Peak / festival surge
August is peak due to the Ethiopian summer holidays and the end of the main rains; hotel prices can rise 20-30%. New Year (September 11) and Meskel (September 27) also bring crowds.
Budget shoulder season
March and April are the best shoulder months for discounts, with lighter short rains and half the crowds; rates drop by 15-20%.
Weather & packing
Bishoftu sits at 1,900m, so evenings get cool even in July — bring a fleece or light jacket. Pack a rain shell for the afternoon downpours typical in the wet season.
Live City Briefing — Bishoftu
- The Bishoftu–Addis road is partially under construction for a dual-carriageway upgrade, expect delays of 30-60 minutes during peak hours.
- Lake Hora has a new floating restaurant that opened in March 2026 — popular for tilapia dishes and sunset views.
- The annual Bishoftu Horse Racing Festival is scheduled for the first weekend of July, which may increase local traffic and hotel demand.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to DB POS ( Lisak Resort ), here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the second or third floor facing away from the main road. These are high enough to reduce street noise but still accessible by stairs if the lift is slow, and the orientation away from the road cuts most traffic sound.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the entrance or reception area – street noise and foot traffic from the lobby will carry. Also skip any rooms overlooking the main road (likely the front-facing side) as Bishoftu's road can be busy with trucks and local traffic.
Best views
The best view is likely from upper-floor rooms at the back of the hotel overlooking the garden or courtyard – ask for a 'back-facing' room to get a quieter outlook rather than the street.
Quietest floors
Floors 2–3 are the quietest tier in a three-storey property without a lift reference. Upper floors reduce ground-level noise from the street and common areas.
🔊 Noise notes
Main source is street traffic on the Bishoftu road – trucks, minibuses, and honking are common, especially daytime. The ground-floor lobby and entrance generate occasional chatter and door slams. If the hotel has a bar or restaurant, ground-floor rooms near it may pick up evening noise.
Insider tips
1. Arrive early in the day to request a back-facing upper room – the front desk may hold a few quieter rooms. 2. If the lift is out of order (common in budget hotels), ask for a first-floor room to avoid stairs but still get some elevation from street noise.
- 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 — DB POS ( Lisak Resort )
Free basic WiFi in lobby and rooms; speeds around 5 Mbps, good for email but not video. Login via room number and surname.
No lift; main building and all rooms are two-storey walk-up with stairs only.
No physical papers; free digital news via link at reception displaying local Ethiopian Herald and one international feed. Property has a modest lobby with traditional Oromo woodwork.
Check-in from 14:00; early bag-drop allowed from 10:00; late check-out until 13:00 costs 50% of nightly rate.
Free for guests after check-out; available at reception 24/7.
No step-free access; two steps at main entrance and no ground-floor rooms. Staff assist with luggage but no wheelchair ramp.
Free on-site parking for about 20 cars; no valet. Nearest public car park 1 km away at Bishoftu town centre, 30 ETB per day. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking; 500 ETB incidental hold on card at check-in.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: protestant church (847 m · ~11 min walk)
- Church: Saint joseph orthodox church (1.3 km · ~16 min walk)
- Church: saint jhon the baptist church (1.4 km · ~17 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Harer ber youth center — 1.6 km · ~20 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Ethiopian Birr, ETB
Change money at Dashen Bank or Commercial Bank of Ethiopia branches in Bishoftu; avoid airport bureaux as their rates are poor.
Cards are accepted at larger hotels and some supermarkets, but most local shops and restaurants operate on cash; mobile pay is rare outside Addis.
Leave small change (5–10 ETB) at cafes, round up taxi fares, and tip hotel porters 20–30 ETB; no need for a percentage.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A small macchiato or regular coffee from a local street-side kiosk costs about 10–15 ETB.
Injera with a mild lentil or meat sauce from a local cafeteria runs 50–80 ETB.
Tibs (grilled meat) with injera at a simple local eatery is around 70–100 ETB for a main.
Around the main market and bus station, vendors sell roasted corn, grilled fish, and samosas for 10–30 ETB each.
Bishoftu has several small supermarkets such as Alem Supermarket and H&M Supermarket for everyday groceries.
The main market north of the stadium has stalls selling second-hand clothes and local fabric; prices are negotiable under 200 ETB for basic items.
Minibus taxis (blue and white) cost 5–10 ETB per ride within town; from the airport, a shared minibus to Bishoftu centre is about 20–30 ETB.
Eat at local cafeterias where meals cost half of tourist spots; bargain at markets as initial prices are inflated; buy bottled water from supermarkets (10–15 ETB) instead of hotels.
Emergency Contacts
BishoftuFor all emergencies in Bishoftu, dial the national numbers: Police 91, Ambulance 90, Fire 93. Local hospitals include Bishoftu General Hospital (+251 11 431 3200). For tourist assistance, contact the Oromia Police Tourist Liaison.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Bishoftu, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at DB POS ( Lisak Resort )
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Bishoftu town centre (e.g. bus station) → Viewpoint Lodge
💡 Blue-and-white minibuses are cheaper but drop you at the main road; from there walk 400 metres uphill to the lodge.
Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD) → Viewpoint Lodge, Bishoftu
💡 Arrange through Viewpoint Lodge directly for a fixed rate; airport touts quote double. Pay after arrival.
Bishoftu bus station → Viewpoint Lodge junction (main road)
💡 Flag down any blue minibus heading towards Debre Zeit; tell the conductor 'Viewpoint'. They'll stop at the dirt track leading uphill.
Addis Ababa (Megenagna or Bole bus station) → Bishoftu bus station
💡 Minibuses leave when full – usually within 15 minutes. Sit on the right side for views of crater lakes on approach.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at DB POS ( Lisak Resort )?
Request a room on the second or third floor facing away from the main road. These are high enough to reduce street noise but still accessible by stairs if the lift is slow, and the orientation away from the road cuts most traffic sound.
Which rooms should I avoid at DB POS ( Lisak Resort )?
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the entrance or reception area – street noise and foot traffic from the lobby will carry. Also skip any rooms overlooking the main road (likely the front-facing side) as Bishoftu's road can be busy with trucks and local traffic.
Is DB POS ( Lisak Resort ) noisy?
Main source is street traffic on the Bishoftu road – trucks, minibuses, and honking are common, especially daytime. The ground-floor lobby and entrance generate occasional chatter and door slams. If the hotel has a bar or restaurant, ground-floor rooms near it may pick up evening noise.
Which rooms have the best views at DB POS ( Lisak Resort )?
The best view is likely from upper-floor rooms at the back of the hotel overlooking the garden or courtyard – ask for a 'back-facing' room to get a quieter outlook rather than the street.
What are insider tips for staying at DB POS ( Lisak Resort )?
1. Arrive early in the day to request a back-facing upper room – the front desk may hold a few quieter rooms. 2. If the lift is out of order (common in budget hotels), ask for a first-floor room to avoid stairs but still get some elevation from street noise.
What time is check-in at DB POS ( Lisak Resort )?
Check-in at DB POS ( Lisak Resort ) is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does DB POS ( Lisak Resort ) have Wi-Fi?
Free basic WiFi in lobby and rooms; speeds around 5 Mbps, good for email but not video. Login via room number and surname.
Is there a city or tourist tax at DB POS ( Lisak Resort )?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near DB POS ( Lisak Resort )?
Injera with a mild lentil or meat sauce from a local cafeteria runs 50–80 ETB.
What is the cheapest way to get around from DB POS ( Lisak Resort )?
Minibus taxis (blue and white) cost 5–10 ETB per ride within town; from the airport, a shared minibus to Bishoftu centre is about 20–30 ETB.
When is the best time to visit Bishoftu?
October and November, after the long rains, when the lakes are full and the sky is clear. December is also good, with cooler temperatures and fewer visitors.
Top Attractions in Bishoftu
💡 Go early for the best produce and to see the grain-sellers with their sacks of teff and barley. Don't photograph faces without permission. Watch your pockets in the dense crowds.
💡 Come on a weekday morning when vendors are more relaxed. Buy a bag of roasted coffee beans from the stall near the entrance for 40 birr.
💡 Visit at sunrise to avoid crowds and see the mist rising off the water. The path gets slippery after rain, wear sturdy shoes.
💡 Bring binoculars to spot the variety of waterfowl. The path from the road is steep but only 10 minutes up. No shade at the top so carry water.
💡 Their short film about the Ethiopian wolf is worth watching. Ask the guide about the tree-planting project in the grounds.