Fikirandray Lodge

Ethiopia , Amhara
LALIBELA, Bete Georgis
Show on Google | Map

20 reviews shown

2/10

Poor

12 Jan 2024

zatiti

I could not enjoy the property as for the 10 days that I was there most the time I was ill. I think this may have to do with the lack of deep cleaning. Hot water was also an issue. It took several request for a heater.
The Wi-Fi never worked.

Leisure

10/10

Exceptional

28 Mar 2020

James

Quiet convenience in Lalibela

FikirandRay is a relatively new hotel and offers comfort and quiet. It is a short walk from a restaurant with great views down the valley. The staff were very nice and helpful. Breakfast was simple but good. You need a guide to get around and bargain but prices tend to be somewhat set. Lalibela is well worth seeing, which you can do in two days, or most pf it in one day.

Self

8/10

Excellent

27 Mar 2020

Verified traveler

We stayed here at a quiet time, so cannot say how the hotel would be if very full. We had a nice large room with a terrific view over the valley, with private bathroom. It was very clean and well kept. Breakfast was fine, and whilst there was no lunch or dinner (maybe because so quiet) there are two excellent restaurants nearby, including the utterly bizarre Ben Abeba, a wonderfully odd Bond-villain place with magnificent views and interesting food. The location is good, a short tuk-tuk ride to the main churches. The staff were extremely helpful and friendly, and we'd like to mention Nati, who went out of his way to help us, including running to the Ben Abeba in heavy rain to get us an umbrella!

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

03 Mar 2020

Verified traveler

Nice location, very comfortable and clean room with a stunning view of the mountains, welcoming service and very good breakfast. Airport pick up service. Works with a young, energetic and friendly guide - I enjoyed the tour of the churches very much.

Friends_and_family Friends

8/10

Excellent

02 Mar 2020

Natalie

Basic comfort with a view

This is a very basic hotel, with only breakfast, and subject to power outages as with the rest of the town. It sits a bit away from the main part of town, which actually made for a quieter night than what my friends' at a place right in town experienced and my room had a great view of the valley and mountains beyond. Although it doesn't serve any meals except breakfast, it is a very short walk away from a couple of very good restaurants (within other bigger hotels). The staff were very friendly and helpful. I sent an email ahead about airport pick up and a local guide - they didn't respond, but they had a driver at the airport with my name on a sign and a local guide in tow.

Friends_and_family Friends

8/10

Excellent

23 Feb 2020

Eric

Comfortable, Clean, Great Guide

FikirandRay lodge was a great home base for a 1-night stay in Lalibela. Centered between the churches and the can't-miss restaurant Ben Abeda, I was treated to clean and comfortable rooms and very friendly staff. The first priority when I arrived was making sure I had a schedule to visit everything on my sightseeing list in a limited window of time.

My tour guide was Yohannes, and I could recommend a better guide. Originally from the community, he spoke fluent English and had a passion for the history of Lalibela. He constantly made sure I was comfortable, well-fed, and found exceptional spots I never would have known about on my own. If you go, I would ask for him by name.

Self

10/10

Exceptional

15 Feb 2020

Verified traveler

I stayed in fikirandraylodge for two night
And the room was clean the bed was very comfortable I had the best sleep very quiet very nice view from my room with big window the owner was friendly helpful arranging my tour service for Lalibela and monastery with the best English speaking guide I highly recommended this lodge the lodge worth much more than other hotel

Business

6/10

Pleasant

30 Jan 2020

Roger

When we first arrived...we were brought to another hotel that was not Fikir and Ray. It was a very new unfinished hotel called Halle Hotel. It had no wifi...no cabinetry...unfinished fixtures BUT the view was breathtaking...best in Lalibela. We loved the bathroom with its huge open window that looks into the valleys. The bed was very comfortable and the winds brought fresh mountain air.
Sadly that ended when they shifted us to the original Fikir Ray hotel. This had wifi...but bedding wasnt that great...rooms were much smaller and views are nothing to shout about.
All-in-all...it was an ok experience but could have been better if the first hotel they put us in was finished.

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

30 Jan 2020

Verified traveler

Very nice personnel. Interior old style, beds comgortable and very fresh.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

28 Jan 2020

Verified traveler

The staff was exceptional. I was upgraded to a room with a beautiful view. The team was very attentive to my needs. The property is clean and comfortable and located in short walking distance to a great restaurant that overlooks a valley on three sides and serves great food. You cannot ask for more quality and service of a reasonably priced bed and breakfast. I'd definitely come back here to stay when visiting Lalibela.

Leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

12 Jan 2020

Stephen

From what I saw of other hotels in the vicinity this is probably one of the better hotel options in Lalibela. The rooms are clean and modern, the internet is good, the breakfast’s are excellent and the staff are friendly and accommodating. There were one or two disappointments: No dinner available on my second evening because the cook had gone home and no water on my last morning. A large bucket of water with a jug was left outside me room to use for washing and flushing the toilet but as with the restaurant closure no proper explanation was given let alone an apology.

Self

8/10

Excellent

04 Jan 2020

Janice

Excellent stay and tour of 11 churches

We stayed at Fiker and Ray for 2 nights. Staff were excellent and go above and beyond to help you out if needed. My husband and I were sick from the Simien Mountains and the lady receptionist was so accommodating and brought tea and food up to our room when we were too sick to go out to have dinner.

Hot water is touch and go. Our first room had no hot water but we asked to move to another room on the second night and that room had hot water and stunning views.

Breakfast was delicious! You can choose from a range of items such as scrambled eggs, omelette, porridge etc. You are also given bread and some spreads, and a really nice smoothie too. Just take note that it takes a while to come out so I would suggest ordering breakfast at least 35 minutes before your tour starts.

We also organized our 11 churches tour through the hotel which turned out to be cheaper than what other tour companies were offering. We received guide Fikremariam a friendly young man with excellent English who was passionate about Lalibela and it’s churches. He was lively, energetic, and extremely knowledgable - we learnt so much from him, not just about the churches, but the history, and general information about Ethiopia. As per our request, he took us to eat at a local restaurant in between visiting the churches and then to a nice coffee/tea place as well. The 11 churches tour with him was by far our favourite tour in Ethiopia. I would recommend him to anyone and would rate him 10/10!!

Partner

8/10

Excellent

29 Dec 2019

A&M

Great view of the mountains from our room. Excellent location away from all the noise in the town center. Very close to Ben Abebe restaurant, which has amazing views (and good food). Friendly and helpful staff, simple (but very good) breakfast. Excellent value for the price.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

26 Dec 2019

Mira

Great stay!

My experience in this lodge was amazing ! The staff were super friendly and helpful and very accommodating to anything I asked for. The rooms are clean and exactly what I needed. It’s situated just few minutes walk from the center of the town and from a great restaurant that is known with its splendid sunset views; Ben Abeba.
The food at the hotel itself actually exceeded my expectations. It’s a hidden gem in Lalibela. Once in, they will make you feel like family. I highly recommend it!

Self

10/10

Exceptional

23 Dec 2019

Johnnie

The staff was very friendly and attentive to my needs. The omelettes and coffee were very delicious every morning. The property is very nicely decorated and views are amazing. I really enjoyed talking with everyone learning about the local culture. I highly recommend FIKRE MARIAM as your tour guide in Lalibella. This young man knows the history and tells it with great enthusiasm. My last night in Lalibella we went to a local lounge Torpedo for honeywine and traditional music and dancing. I had an amazing time and I never had wine that taste so good. Choose this property for your stay in Lalibela youbwill not be dissapointed.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

26 Nov 2019

joi

a gem in lalibela

Loved this place. Great location. Friendly. Knowledgeable staff and great price.

Self

4/10

Poor

16 Nov 2019

Angela

Dishonest charging

Receptionist overcharges and lies about charges, I.e takes money for taxi to airport but doesn’t pay driver so you have to pay twice. Charges guests for eating 1 banana and 1 orange.
THTe room is advertised as spacious with a window and view. In reality, no window at all, poky room.

Self

10/10

Exceptional

17 Aug 2019

David

Amazing gem of a hotel!

I had a wonderful stay at the Fikir&Ray Hotel. The service here is INCREDIBLE! They provided free airport pickup AND drop off, and readily attended to every request. Breakfast was good and filling. Dinners were delicious and very cheap ($2-4 USD). Beer was cold and plentiful.

I would highly recommend this hotel above any other in Lalibela. Simply a wonderful stay. Rooms and beautiful and spacious, with huge windows facing out to the hills below.

The cons? Slow wifi and weak plumbing (but these are true of EVERY hotel in Lalibela - the town has horrible infrastructure). Given that you will face the same problems at ALL hotels in the city, I’d happily stay here again in a heartbeat.

8/10

Excellent

14 Aug 2019

James

Good value

We were well looked after by the friendly staff. They arranged our guide, Kalehiwot Zena, who was very friendly and helpful, and took care of all the negotiations.
The room was comfortable and the services all worked. The restaurant breakfast was good as was the evening meal.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

09 Aug 2019

Woulita

Great place

Our stay at Fiker & Ray was great. Everyone went out of their way to make our stay pleasant. Although ther was shortage of water in the city they made sure we were taken care of.
Food was great. The wait staff was very attentive and helpful. Special thanks to Nati. He made our stay memorable. Keep up the good work. It is located very close to the the famous Ben Abeba restaurant . Great stay. Keep up the good work !!

Family