...it's almost impossible not to relax at this place. As compared to nearly every hotel in Ethiopia, it's quiet and doesn't make it's main revenue from the bar/disco. The scenery is spectacular and it's a good place to home base when exploring the many rock churches of Tigrai (an absolute must). I highly recommend the place but take along bug spray as the beds were infested with fleas when we visited.

Gheralta has a lot going for it - beautiful location, reasonably priced for what it is, well placed for seeing nearby rock churches, stunning design and attention to detail, good food and drink and very comfortable rooms, BUT... it was let down by poor management and service when we visited. On our first night the bedclothes were pretty damp (we had to hang them to dry ourselves, the staff were unhelpful about hiring transport or telling us what we could see nearby, the dinner was brutally rushed (5 courses shoved past us in 50 minutes!) and the generator for electricity was abruptly switched off at 10 pm. The second night was better, we think because a tour group stopped in and made it more worth their while. Our guess (having read plenty of good reviews) is that this was an unfortunate anomaly because the owners were away for rainy season. However, the overwhelming impression we got was of staff going through the motions, uninterested in a couple not part of a bigger group, and just wanting to get home to their beds. Perhaps tighter management control needed?

Enrica and Silvio Rizzotti have created their beautiful lodge overlooking the Gheralta Mountains. The staff are friendly and helpful, the indoor garden an oasis. We enjoyed the library.
Our room was nicely designed - and we had plenty of hot water. Most rooms have wonderful views. Beware however the noise from the adjoining room - felt they were in bed with us! The connecting door is not sound proofed at all.
The food in Ethiopia is interesting but an acquired taste. (Some never acquire it). We were told to expect the best food in Ethiopia. But it must have been cook's night off. So disappointing.

Absolutely fantastic. Well worth the cost and the effort to get there. Meals were great too. A nice base for hiking into the the Tigray scenery.