Best hotels in Bahir Dar

Abay Minch Lodge sits on the outskirts of Bahir Dar, a modestly sized city on the southern banks of Lake Tana in northern Ethiopia. It's an ideal spot to explore the lake's intriguing monasteries, of which there are some 20 or so, mostly dating to the 14th century and filled with paintings and other treasures. Also nearby are the Blue Nile Falls, an important locale for the lake's endemic species (no crocs here!). The lodge offers good service and tranquillity in its lush gardens dotted with stone bungalows – you may even glimpse a turaco, hornbill or a vermilion paradise-flycatcher.

The third-largest city in Ethiopia, Bahir Dar has been described as Ethiopia's Saint-Tropez. The comparison may challenge belief, but there is a lush air to this palm-treed port on the south shore of Lake Tana, the country's largest lake. It's also ideally located to access a number of geographic and historical sites, especially the dramatic Blue Nile Falls and the lake's own monastery-filled islands. Blue Nile Resort sits on Tana's industrious shore, with excellent views of the span of coppery aqua. Here, the modernish facilities may lack charm, but the resort makes an adequate base for a few days' exploration.

Kuriftu Resorts operates several mid-range lodges around Ethiopia, each with an accompanying spa. This one, in the town of Bahir Dar - an hour's flight or eight-hour drive from Addis Ababa, sits right on the edge of Lake Tana, the largest lake in the country. It has its own jetti, making for easy tours to some of the islands, which are home to a couple of medieval monasteries. In addition to being the source of the Blue Nile, the lake is also home to a variety of birdlife, most notably, large flocks of pelicans.

The Tana Hotel is on the shore of Lake Tana at Bahir Dar right at the source of Blue Nile River, and with a short driving distance of the grand Tis Isat (Blue Nile Falls). The hotel offers simple accommodations with a few notable touches. The view of Lake Tana from the pleasant terrace is worth the stay. Rooms are decorated with local weavings and cuisine features local fish. Restrooms are en suite, but basic, and include hot water and flushing toilets. Internet is available for a fee.