A Lucky Find: New Level Hotel in Dire Dawa 💕

1. Touching down in Dire Dawa, Ethiopia, via plane, I quickly realized the city was buzzing—turns out, there was some kind of local festival going on. Hotels? Impossible to book. I’d checked three places online before landing, and all were sold out. Panicked, I hailed a taxi and rushed to New Level Hotel, a mid-range spot I’d noted earlier, crossing my fingers. By some miracle, the receptionist smiled and said, “We have one room left.” Relief washed over me—this trip just dodged a big hiccup. ✈️🎉😅 2. The weather here hit hard—scorching hot, with the sun beating down so intensely that stepping outside felt like walking into an oven. After dropping my bags, I stared at the door, zero energy to hunt for a restaurant. “Why not try the hotel dining?” I thought, half-expecting bland, overpriced meals. But the menu surprised me: local stews, grilled meats, and even Italian pasta. I took a chance and ordered spaghetti carbonara—figuring if it was bad, I’d just grab snacks later. 🥵🍴🌞 3. The pasta arrived, and I was floored. The noodles were al dente, not mushy, and the sauce was creamy with just the right hint of black pepper and crispy pancetta. It was better than most pasta I’d had in Addis Ababa, where even fancy restaurants sometimes serve underwhelming versions. I later learned the chef had trained in Italy for a few years—no wonder it tasted authentic. I ended up clearing the plate, then ordered a side of local honey bread to soak up the last bits of sauce. 🍝🇮🇹😋 4. The hotel itself, while not luxurious, had its charms. My room was simple but spotless, with a fan that actually worked (a lifesaver in the heat) and a window that let in a faint breeze. The staff were quick to help, too—when I asked for extra water, they brought a whole pitcher without hesitation. By evening, the festival buzz outside grew louder—drums, laughter, and distant singing—but the hotel’s thick walls kept it from feeling overwhelming. It felt like a quiet haven in the middle of the chaos. 🛏️💧🎶 5. Over the next day, I ended up eating at the hotel again—this time, trying a local dish: doro wat, a spicy chicken stew with hard-boiled eggs, served with injera. It was rich and flavorful, the berbere spice balanced perfectly, and the injera was soft and tangy. For someone too hot to explore, having decent food on-site made all the difference. By the time I checked out, I was actually glad the other hotels were full—New Level Hotel had turned a stressful arrival into a pleasant stay. 🍗🍞😊 6. Sometimes, the best travel moments are the unplanned ones. I came to Dire Dawa worried about finding a place to stay, and left with a new favorite hotel and a pasta recommendation I’ll be sharing for years. If you ever find yourself in this sunny Ethiopian city—especially during a busy festival—don’t overlook New Level Hotel. It might just save your trip, one delicious meal at a time. 🌟 #DireDawaStays #EthiopiaHotelFind #TravelLuck #DireDawaEats #EthiopiaTravelTales