The Ghion is very photogenic by Ethiopian standards and so it is enticing from the pics. The rooms are overpriced and too exposed to thieves, especially those facing the road. Other places like the Pension Hotel are half the price and clean or for about $40 per night Homland is very good and has the added bonus of good service and free wifi.

I do love the surrounds as the gardens give a lovely little oasis from the bustle of the town. It is relaxing to sit and share a meal with friends, meet other ferenge (foreigners) or just take time out while overlooking the Lake. You may even be treated by seeing a hippo.

I must admit this is one of my favourite places to sit in Bahir Dar. I have often taken a book to read and because it is not on the path along the shores I am not harassed by local youths wanting something from me.

Warning at this point..look up and see if there are vultures overhead because their droppings are as large as they are haha

We arrived there with the "free" shuttle from the airport. We didn't like the rooms and the price they wanted for it, but when we were about to leave they wanted to charge us 100 birr each for the shuttle, which ment we'd just rather stay. The rest of the stay was ok, not horrible but nothing too good to say about it. When we left they offered us a "special" shuttle to Gonder for 100 birr (local minibus costs 60).after they put the price down to 80 we said ok.well, they make you think the special thing about it is that it is private, but infact it's just the fact that you're getting picked up from the hotel to the bus station and then the special shuttle turns into a local minibus and you are squized with a handful of locals that paid the normal price.
We heard many many horrible things about the owner/manager before and after, and we got a live performance of his lying and cheating skills. Don't go there, thete are plenty other places, even if you're made to think there aren't.

If you're working, the rooms are impossibly dark - by day and by night. They also suffer severely from a lack of maintenance, and I picked up what look remarkably like bed-bug bites...

Having said that (and perhaps I was just unlucky in the room I had?), it's in a great location - bang on the lake, but very central. It has a lovely garden / restaurant area, and one of the best wi-fi networks in town. If you're travelling on a budget, and not planning on spending much time in the room I'd recommend it. But you might want to take your own towel and travel sheet...

Want an early morning call? First there's the main mosque, then the St George chants, all interspersed with some amazing sounds from the amazing local birds. The first two are within easy walking distance; the birds are everywhere!

As others have said, prices for foreigners are variable. I was initially asked for 400 Birr a night, and my colleague 275...

Very basic. Rooms are dark and dirty. Toilet and showers barely passable. Sound from the adjoining room made us wonder whether there really is a wall between the two. Service is indifferent. We were here for only one night, so not a big deal---. Cost was $24 for a double in the off-season. We didn't eat at the hotel, so I can't comment about the food. One bright spot is that after we returned from dinner elsewhere, people were gathered outside around a dj spinning world music. There was conversation, singing, and even dancing . This made for a very pleasant evening before we headed off to bed. We heard that the Ghion often provides this kind of entertainment .