Your stay — Tsehay Hotel
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 Bishoftu.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Tsehay Hotel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request rooms on the higher floors (3rd or 4th) for a quieter stay. The hotel's 3-star rating and Bishoftu location suggest a moderate level of street noise, and higher floors tend to be less affected.
Rooms to avoid
Rooms near the service entrance (likely on lower floors) may be noisier due to foot traffic and potential delivery noise.
Best views
Since the hotel is located in Bishoftu, views from the higher floors may offer a glimpse of the surrounding countryside or Lake Awasa, depending on the orientation of the rooms.
Quietest floors
3rd and 4th floors
🔊 Noise notes
Be prepared for some street noise, especially during peak hours, as the hotel is located in the city.
Insider tips
When checking in, ask for a room key with a working elevator, as the lifts at 3-star hotels in Ethiopia may not always be reliable. Request a room with a concrete floor (not carpeted) to minimize potential noise from the floors above and below.
- 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 — Tsehay Hotel
free unlimited, login not required
serves all floors, but some stairs-only sections in historic wing on weekends
complimentary digital newsstand (PressReader), no physical papers
check-in from 14:00, early bag-drop from 10:00, late check-out until 13:00 for an additional ETB 500
available 24/7, ETB 50 per day
step-free access, wheelchair entries at main entrance, no structural limitations
on-site parking available, ETB 200 per night, nearby public car park ETB 100, no EV charging available
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: ETB 10 per person per night
Deposit & card hold: 50% advance deposit, ETB 1,000 incidental card hold at check-in for weekend stays, ETB 500 for weekdays
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: st michael (1.9 km · ~23 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Eyasu Meda — 977 m · ~12 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Bank of Abyssinia (Zequala Sub Branch) — 755 m · ~9 min walk
Rahel Pharmacy — 318 m · ~4 min walk
Bishoftu Bus Station — 1.9 km · ~24 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Ethiopian Birr, ETB
Travellers can exchange currency at local banks, or at the airport using an ATM for a decent rate. Be wary of poor rates at tourist information offices.
Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted, but Amex is not. Contactless payments are not common, but mobile payment apps like M-Pesa and Telebirr are gaining popularity.
Tipping is not expected but is appreciated, especially in restaurants. For hotel staff, 10-20 ETB per bag is sufficient.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A traditional Ethiopian coffee, locally known as 'jebena', can be found for around 10-15 ETB at a local café.
A plate of injera with vegetables or meat can be had for around 20-30 ETB at a local tehana (food stall).
A basic meal at a local restaurant, such as tibs or wots, costs around 50-70 ETB.
Street food is common in the markets, particularly around the Main Market and the Bishoftu Market.
Local supermarkets like Mega and Itulu can be found in the area, offering a range of affordable goods.
Affordable shopping can be found at the local markets or in the nearby towns of Debre Zeit and Addis Ababa.
Local buses and matatus (minivans) cost around 5-10 ETB for a ride. A taxi fare from the airport to Bishoftu town costs around 200-300 ETB.
Use local buses and matatus instead of taxis for shorter trips.Eat at local tehanas for a more authentic and affordable experience.Avoid exchanging money at airports or tourist information offices for the best rates.
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 Tsehay Hotel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Bank of Abyssinia (Zequala Sub Branch) — 755 m · ~9 min walk — pharmacy · Rahel Pharmacy — 318 m · ~4 min walk
🚐 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 Tsehay Hotel?
Request rooms on the higher floors (3rd or 4th) for a quieter stay. The hotel's 3-star rating and Bishoftu location suggest a moderate level of street noise, and higher floors tend to be less affected.
Which rooms should I avoid at Tsehay Hotel?
Rooms near the service entrance (likely on lower floors) may be noisier due to foot traffic and potential delivery noise.
Is Tsehay Hotel noisy?
Be prepared for some street noise, especially during peak hours, as the hotel is located in the city.
Which rooms have the best views at Tsehay Hotel?
Since the hotel is located in Bishoftu, views from the higher floors may offer a glimpse of the surrounding countryside or Lake Awasa, depending on the orientation of the rooms.
What are insider tips for staying at Tsehay Hotel?
When checking in, ask for a room key with a working elevator, as the lifts at 3-star hotels in Ethiopia may not always be reliable. Request a room with a concrete floor (not carpeted) to minimize potential noise from the floors above and below.
What time is check-in at Tsehay Hotel?
Check-in at Tsehay Hotel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Tsehay Hotel have Wi-Fi?
free unlimited, login not required
Is there a city or tourist tax at Tsehay Hotel?
ETB 10 per person per night
Where can I eat cheaply near Tsehay Hotel?
A plate of injera with vegetables or meat can be had for around 20-30 ETB at a local tehana (food stall).
What is the cheapest way to get around from Tsehay Hotel?
Local buses and matatus (minivans) cost around 5-10 ETB for a ride. A taxi fare from the airport to Bishoftu town costs around 200-300 ETB.
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.