Grand Resort & Spa-Gambela

The location is central, and they do have laundry. But the service was poor, sometimes nonexistent, and most of the staff don’t speak English. I was told this was the best hotel in town, yet the VIP Room didn’t live up to that. Breakfast is listed for 7am, but that’s when they start preparing it, and coffee took another half hour. They did make scrambled eggs for me when I asked.

The staff were nice, and the coffee and tea were good. It’s right in the center of town. For rural Ethiopia, the place was satisfactory, with large rooms that were cleaned every day. But the food was mediocre, and bathroom basics were a problem: no hot water, cracked or missing toilet seats. The AC worked in some rooms.

There’s one outlet in the room, the food is horrible, and the internet can’t be relied on. I’d seen reviews from three years ago and nothing seems to have improved. I don’t know if the hotel even reads feedback to improve its service or management. Water stops running in the evening and again in the morning, just when you need it. The AC works only some of the time, and when it does, it’s so loud it’s impossible to sleep. There’s nothing Grand about this hotel, and it doesn’t deserve its name.

The staff were welcoming and willing to help, even with the communication barrier. I also liked the security measures management has put in place. It was a good experience, though the hotel has potential to be better if management puts effort into a full renovation or upgrade.