Blue Nile Hotel

The location worked really well, a short walk from Lalibela’s famous rock-hewn churches and near the town center, yet still peaceful and relaxing. The staff were professional, attentive, and genuinely caring, which made the stay feel welcoming. The restaurant served freshly prepared, flavorful traditional Ethiopian and international dishes. For me, Blue Nile Guest House is one of Lalibela’s best places to stay, and I highly recommend it.

The restaurant downstairs served the best meals we had on our trip in Ethiopia, especially the tomato salad and lentil soup. The place was clean and quiet, and the churches were within walking distance. Everyone working there was tremendously kind and accommodating. An old man was on door security duty, and his smile was so comforting even though we couldn’t communicate. I’m sure he’d turn into a super grandpa if a safety issue ever came up.

The food is decent, but the waits are frustrating. Juice can take 45min to 1 hour, and meals take 1-2 hours. I waited almost two hours for a pizza, and once brought my very hungry child and waited over an hour for food. The service is average, and the waiters consistently say the food is almost ready when it still takes longer. If you’re bored, it’s okay, but I wouldn’t recommend this cafe/restraunt when you’re hungry. My advice is to order two hours ahead and call every 20min to check they actually put the order through. A frustrating experience, but this is an honest review. All the best, guys.

The owner and staff checked on me every now and then and clearly cared about my comfort. My room had a superb view, and I opened all the curtains to see the city from bed. It was especially lovely after midnight in the moonlight. The room was clean, with very white, clean towels and bedsheets, and running water 24/7. I’d have rated it higher if they could improve the cafe on the ground floor.