Availability, kindness and support of the horel owner and the staff. Highly recommended.

“A second home with friendly staff”

My stay in **Lalibela** was unforgettable, and this hotel made it even more special. Ethiopian hospitality is unmatched in general, but the care here truly stands out. The manager, Yohannes, goes above and beyond in a way that feels genuine, not forced. He treats you like family, always checking in on your comfort and safety. He’s there to warmly greet you when you return and personally say goodbye when you head out, which says a lot about how much he cares. The food was honestly the best I had in all of Ethiopia — no exaggeration. I preferred eating at the hotel rather than trying restaurants in Lalibela. Breakfast is included and generous: eggs, pancakes, fresh juice, a hot drink, and delicious homemade local honey. My top tip: ask for Addisu as your guide. He’s educated, professional, naturally funny, and makes the history come alive. Over my week there, he truly became a good friend. If you want to feel welcomed, safe, and incredibly well-fed in Lalibela, this is the place to stay.

The hotel was very comfortable and Yohannes was the best host I could ask for. He really went above and beyond. And the tour he organized was perfect.

“The best place to stay in Lalibela!”

stay in Lalibela was absolutely unforgettable, and a huge part of that was thanks to the hotel owner, Yohannes. He is an incredible person who truly cares about his guests and did everything possible to make my stay comfortable and special. From the first moment, I felt welcomed and genuinely looked after. The room was excellent — clean, comfortable, and well prepared. The hotel territory is very pleasant, well maintained, and creates a peaceful atmosphere. The breakfasts were unbelievably delicious — fresh, generous, and made with care. Yohannes also organized a tour for me, and my guide Moges was outstanding. He did everything to ensure I had the maximum experience and truly understood the history and spirit of Lalibela. Thanks to him, the visit became much deeper and more meaningful. I highly recommend this place — 10 out of 10. In my opinion, it is the best place to stay in Lalibela. If I come back, I will definitely stay here again.

“A charming, family-run hotel with a warm, personal touch and authentic local experiences”

The property has a charming, family-run atmosphere that makes the experience feel personal from the moment you arrive. It’s certainly basic in terms of amenities, but that never detracted from our stay. Instead, it added to the feeling of being truly welcomed, like we had arrived somewhere special, a place to finally relax. One memorable highlight was when our guide took us to a local restaurant, where we enjoyed flavorful Ethiopian cuisine that perfectly complemented the authentic vibe of the stay. It’s one of those rare spots that just hits the mark. If you're looking for a destination worth visiting, this hotel should definitely be on your list.

The room it's was big and nice view.

Great host Yohannes, he and his staff are very friendly and helpful. Good breakfast. Strong wifi. Great value for money.

The atmosphere of a place is always created by the people. At Zan-Seyoum Hotel, the good soul of the place is its co-owner, Johanes. He is extremely friendly, kind, and very helpful. The hotel is modern and clean, and the staff assist with everything, including organizing tours. The hotel also provided us with a comfortable and safe airport transfer. They helped us with SIM cards for internet access as well as currency exchange. From the very beginning, we were welcomed with a delicious breakfast. When we were leaving, I told the owner that I didn’t feel like I had stayed in a hotel, but rather like I had stayed in a friend’s home. I sincerely recommend this place.

The owner of the hotel is very friendly, positive, and responsible. He stays in constant contact with the guide and driver, making sure everything goes smoothly. An airport transfer was organized for me. A couple of days before check-in, the host sent me a PDF file with a detailed, personalized itinerary of the services he could provide. Everything went perfectly. The breakfast was also very tasty. I would like to especially highlight the guide assigned to me — Abebe Asefa. He is a smart and positive young man who speaks excellent English. He studied Ethiopian history as part of his higher education in Addis Ababa and knows the meaning behind every detail in the churches of Lalibela. He is also simply a pleasant companion and person. Ask for him, and he will take you to non-touristy spots where you can enjoy delicious coffee and ginger tea made over coals, just for you. I highly recommend asking the hotel owner to connect you with this guide.

Yohannes is a true gem, one that is hard to find anywhere else. His service, kindness and support was exceptional. His team is equally amazing. Tineshu and the rest were all wonderful. The food was fantastic, quality of service was top notch and the room was always clean and equipped. If I needed something, they made sure I got it. Thank you Yohannes and team for such a wonderful experience. If I'm ever back in Lalibela, I'll definitely be staying here.

“Great hospitality, Yohannes is the best host.”

Yohannes is a great and kind guy. The most honest and helpful person in Ethiopia. The rooms are clean, the food is good and there is a really nice atmosphere.

I think it should be very hard to find a better staff, especially Yohannes!! Thanks for everything

We felt very well welcomed by the host Johannes, he is such a person who is super energetic and warm hearted. The frontdesk guy is polite and always supportive. Room is clean and comfort, generally quite cost effective. They will call you Tuktuk with fair price if you want.

Yohannes made the stay perfect

“Perfect place to stay in Lalibela”

Everything was great. Perfect place to stay in Lalibela. Owner is a really kind and will help you with everything you need during your stay. Food in restaurant is also very good!👌

“I stayed at the hotel for 2 nights. The host and all the staff are absolutely great. Especial thanks to my guide Moges w”

Very nice

“Felt like home”

Zan-Seyoum Hotel felt like home the moment I arrived. The people there are so kind, always smiling, always checking if you’re okay — not because they have to, but because they care. Yohannes, the owner, is one of those souls who makes you feel like you’ve known him forever. The vibe is calm and grounded, like everything in Lalibela. You wake up to birds singing, mountains glowing in the morning light, and that quiet peace that only this sacred place has. After a day walking through the rock churches and hearing the priests chant, coming back here feels like returning to family. The food is simple and cooked with love, and every sunset from the terrace feels like a blessing. Lalibela has a special energy, and this hotel carries it beautifully.

“Fantastic accommodation.”

This was a fantastic hotel with everything you could ever ask for. Perfect location to explore Lalibela and go on an adventure with the fantastic tours offered. Definitely recommend this hotel.

“Tremendous value with friendly staff”

I spent two nights at Zan-Seyoum last week and immensely enjoyed the experience. The rooms are quite basic but clean, functional, and, for the price charged, offer tremendous value. The views are very nice too. The internet is the area was not working but Yohannes proactively came up with a creative solution---installing a SIM card in each guest's phone to allow you to have unlimited internet access both at the hotel and while you roam in Ethiopia. (The telecom I used in Addis Ababa, Safaricom, does not offer coverage in Lalibela so this was a win-win for me.) The breakfasts were sensational too. I am not a breakfast person so if I rave about them you know how yummy they are! Finally, Yohannes is a very enthusiastic, charismatic character who is fun to interact with. He alone is reason enough to book a stay at his guest house.

“Strongly recommended”

Big and clean structure, nice position, friendly staff. They really did everything to make the experience as good as it can get.