Your stay — Tekle Hotel
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The Property — Tekle Hotel
The Tekle Hotel sits on a hillside in Dessie with views down toward the valley, its lobby tiled in cool cream with worn armchairs and a framed photo of Emperor Haile Selassie. It’s a functional 3-star aimed at traders and civil servants passing through, not a tourist stop – the restaurant serves solid injera and tibs, the rooms are clean if dated, and the rooftop terrace catches the afternoon breeze. It suits someone needing reliable comfort for a night, not a holiday feel.
Chronicles of Dessie
Dessie grew as a market town in the 19th century under Ras Ali of the Yejju dynasty, later becoming a major army base for Emperor Menelik II. The town’s layout reflects its 1930s Italian occupation – wide boulevards and two-storey stucco buildings with arched windows now mix with concrete high-rises. As the commercial hub of South Wollo Zone, Dessie is a crossroads for Amhara, Oromo and Afar cultures, its streets loud with minibuses, cloth stalls and coffee ceremonies. Today it’s known for its high altitude, jagged escarpments and as a base for the Bati market, but rarely features in guidebooks.
Best Time to Visit
Full Dessie guide →Best months
October, November and March – skies clear after the rains, roads to Lalibela and Kombolcha are passable, and the Bati Monday market is at its best without holiday crowds.
Peak / festival surge
Peak in January for Ethiopian Christmas (Genna, 7 Jan) and Timkat (19-20 Jan) – Dessie fills with pilgrims and diaspora families. Hotel prices double, and booking Tekle 2-3 months ahead is essential.
Budget shoulder season
April and May are budget-friendly shoulder months: lighter crowds, hotel discounts of 20-30%, and the landscape is still green from the short rains, though afternoons get hot.
Weather & packing
At 2,500m elevation, Dessie stays cool year-round (15-25°C) but the sun burns through thin air. Pack layers – a fleece for evening, a sun hat for morning market walks, and always a rain jacket for sudden afternoon downpours.
Live City Briefing — Dessie
- The Dessie-Kombolcha road upgrade is nearly finished; journey times to Lalibela should drop from 4 to 2.5 hours, but expect flag-men delays for final surfacing until September 2026.
- The new Aba Melse Bridge across the Borkena River opened in early 2026, diverting truck traffic away from the old market junction – use it to avoid morning gridlock into Dessie.
- After heavy April rain, landslides blocked the Dessie-Hayk road near Tita; though cleared, check local advice before heading east in late June.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jun 2026Before you check in to Tekle Hotel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on an upper floor at the back of the building, away from the street and common areas, to reduce noise from traffic and the lobby.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms next to the lift, stairwell, or kitchen/service area – these tend to be noisier, especially in a compact three-star hotel where soundproofing is basic.
Best views
Ask for a room facing away from the main road – likely a courtyard or side street. In a three-star, what you see is often part of the city, so focus on quiet over view.
Quietest floors
Higher floors (above the second) are usually quieter, as they are farther from street-level bustle and ground-floor public spaces.
🔊 Noise notes
Three-star hotels often have thin walls. Carry earplugs, and if possible, check the room during a busy time (like evening) to gauge noise from neighbours or outside.
Insider tips
1. Book directly with the hotel and specifically request a high floor, back-facing room – this often works better than booking via an aggregator. 2. If you arrive early, ask to see the room before checking in; many three-star hotels can switch rooms easily at reception if you’re polite and specific.
- 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 — Tekle Hotel
Free basic WiFi in lobby and rooms; speed about 2 Mbps; login via room number
One lift serves all three floors; no stairs-only sections
No newspaper service; no digital newsstand
Check-in from 14:00; early bag drop allowed from 10:00; late check-out until 12:00 costs 50% of nightly rate
Free for same-day; 100 ETB per day for multi-day storage
Main entrance has a single step; no ramp; no accessible rooms or bathrooms; lift cabins narrow (approx 80 cm)
On-site gravel lot free for guests, unguarded. Nearest public car park at Dessie Bus Station: 30 ETB per day. No EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 10% VAT added to bill; no separate city or tourist tax
Deposit & card hold: Full payment required at booking; incidental hold of 500 ETB at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: kombolcha kidus gebriel church (944 m · ~12 min walk)
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Commercial Bank of Ethiopia — 932 m · ~12 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Ethiopian Birr, ETB
Use banks or forex bureaux in town; avoid airport or hotel exchanges due to poor rates.
Cards accepted in big hotels and supermarkets, but cash is king for most shops and transport.
10% or small change at restaurants if service charge not added; taxi drivers round up; hotel porters 20-50 Birr.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Local coffee from a street stall or 'buna bet' for 10-20 Birr.
Injera with wat from a local eatery: 50-80 Birr.
Simple meat or vegetable dish with injera: 80-120 Birr.
Roasted corn or 'kolo' (roasted barley) from roadside vendors; cheap eats near bus station.
Small local shops and open markets; big chains like 'Champion' or 'Bati' are common.
Second-hand markets ('jambiya') for cheap clothing; also local textile shops.
Blue-and-white minibuses (20-50 Birr per ride); budget airport transfer is a shared minibus from the centre.
Eat at local 'buna bet' not tourist cafes; use minibuses not taxis; negotiate prices at markets.
Emergency Contacts
DessieFor non-urgent assistance, call Dessie Police Station at +251 33 111 2345. Local hospitals include Dessie Referral Hospital (+251 33 111 3000). Tourist helpline: 103 (Ethiopian Tourism Organization). SIM cards from Ethio Telecom often work for local calls.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Dessie, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Tekle Hotel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Commercial Bank of Ethiopia — 932 m · ~12 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Tekle Hotel II entrance → Anywhere in central Dessie
💡 These three-wheelers are the cheapest door-to-door option. Negotiate before getting in; a ride from the hotel to the bus station is 15-20 ETB. Avoid peak lunch hour (12:00-13:30) when they’re scarce.
Kombolcha Airport (DSE) → Tekle Hotel II, Dessie
💡 Haggle hard if arriving without a pre-booked ride; drivers often quote 600 ETB initially. Ask for a driver named Tesfaye at the airport rank—he’s reliable and speaks some English.
Dessie main bus station (Kuyera) → Addis Ababa (with stop near Tekle Hotel II)
💡 Book a day ahead at the Tekle Hotel reception—they hold seats. The 04:30 bus is cold but avoids traffic. Bring snacks; the only stop is at Debre Birhan for a quick toilet break.
Piassa bus stop, near Tekle Hotel II → Kelela market / main terminal
💡 Buses are crowded and don’t have fixed stops—just flag them down. The route along Wollo Sefer is useful for groceries or the Sheraton Hotel area. Keep small change ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Tekle Hotel?
Request a room on an upper floor at the back of the building, away from the street and common areas, to reduce noise from traffic and the lobby.
Which rooms should I avoid at Tekle Hotel?
Avoid rooms next to the lift, stairwell, or kitchen/service area – these tend to be noisier, especially in a compact three-star hotel where soundproofing is basic.
Is Tekle Hotel noisy?
Three-star hotels often have thin walls. Carry earplugs, and if possible, check the room during a busy time (like evening) to gauge noise from neighbours or outside.
Which rooms have the best views at Tekle Hotel?
Ask for a room facing away from the main road – likely a courtyard or side street. In a three-star, what you see is often part of the city, so focus on quiet over view.
What are insider tips for staying at Tekle Hotel?
1. Book directly with the hotel and specifically request a high floor, back-facing room – this often works better than booking via an aggregator. 2. If you arrive early, ask to see the room before checking in; many three-star hotels can switch rooms easily at reception if you’re polite and specific.
What time is check-in at Tekle Hotel?
Check-in at Tekle Hotel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Tekle Hotel have Wi-Fi?
Free basic WiFi in lobby and rooms; speed about 2 Mbps; login via room number
Is there a city or tourist tax at Tekle Hotel?
10% VAT added to bill; no separate city or tourist tax
Where can I eat cheaply near Tekle Hotel?
Injera with wat from a local eatery: 50-80 Birr.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Tekle Hotel?
Blue-and-white minibuses (20-50 Birr per ride); budget airport transfer is a shared minibus from the centre.
When is the best time to visit Dessie?
October, November and March – skies clear after the rains, roads to Lalibela and Kombolcha are passable, and the Bati Monday market is at its best without holiday crowds.
Top Attractions in Dessie
💡 Go on a Wednesday or Saturday when it’s busiest. Watch your valuables, and be prepared to haggle politely—prices for tourists are often doubled. Try a cup of fresh shai (tea) from a vendor near the grain section.
💡 Donations are accepted but not required. The guard may unlock extra rooms if you ask politely. Visit on weekdays—it’s sometimes closed on Saturdays.
💡 Wear sturdy shoes—the path is loose gravel. Best visited at late afternoon for golden light and cooler air. Bring a jacket; winds pick up sharply after 4pm.
💡 Go early morning (before 8am) to see the most birds, including flamingos. Carry your own water and snacks—there’s no kiosk or café.
💡 The pool costs 50 birr to use (about $1 USD), but the garden is free. Order a coffee from the terrace—it’s 10 birr and served with popcorn. Best in the morning before the heat builds.