Your stay — ብሎክ 079/Block 079
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The Property — ብሎክ 079/Block 079
Block 079 sits on a quiet side street in the Bole district, with a concrete-and-glass facade that feels more functional than fancy. The lobby is compact but efficiently run, filled with the smell of Ethiopian coffee from the in-house cafe. It suits business travellers and budget-conscious visitors who want a clean, no-fuss base near Bole International Airport and the city's main commercial strip. The USP is its location: a three-minute taxi hop to the terminal and a short walk to Bole Medhanealem Church and local restaurants.
Chronicles of Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa was founded in 1886 by Emperor Menelik II and Empress Taytu Betul, chosen for its highland springs and temperate climate. The city grew rapidly after the railway arrived from Djibouti in 1917, and today it's the diplomatic capital of Africa, hosting the African Union and UN Economic Commission for Africa. Architecturally, you see a jumble of Italian-era villas, Soviet-era blocks, and new glass towers rising amid eucalyptus groves. Contemporary identity is defined by its role as a pan-African hub, a centre of Ethiopian Orthodox tradition, and a sprawling, chaotic, energising metropolis that still feels like a collection of villages.
Best Time to Visit
Full Addis Ababa guide →Best months
October and November – after the main rains, the city is green and clear, with mild days (20-25°C) and light crowds. Also late January to early March is good: dry, sunny, and packed with cultural festivals.
Peak / festival surge
Ethiopian Orthodox Christmas (Genna) on 7 January and Timkat (Epiphany) on 19 January draw pilgrims and tourists, pushing hotel prices up 30-50% and filling flights. May is busy with the African Union summit, driving up business hotel rates.
Budget shoulder season
March and April are good budget months: weather is still dry but warming up, crowds thin after the festival season, and hotel rates drop. June also works for discounts as the first rains begin.
Weather & packing
Addis Ababa sits at 2,355 metres, so days are warm but evenings drop to 10°C – you need a jacket or sweater for after dark. Rain can come suddenly in June, so pack a compact umbrella or lightweight waterproof jacket as a non-negotiable.
Live City Briefing — Addis Ababa
- The Addis Ababa Light Rail is undergoing maintenance on the East-West line through mid-2026; check service updates or use ride-hail apps like RIDE for getting around.
- A new Chinese-built ring road (the Addis Ababa Orbital Expressway) partially opened in early 2026, easing traffic from Bole to the city centre but with occasional tolls and lane closures.
- The capital is in the middle of the 'long rains' season (June-September), so expect afternoon downpours; many streets flood briefly, but life continues normally.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to ብሎክ 079/Block 079, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request the highest floor possible (floor 3, the top floor) to minimise street noise from Bole Road and reduce footfall from the lobby and lift. Rear-facing rooms (away from the road) are quieter if available. The lift serves all floors, so top-floor rooms have a slight edge in peace.
Rooms to avoid
Steer clear of ground-floor rooms near the lobby or on the street side. The hotel fronts Bole Road, which carries constant traffic, and the lobby can be busy with comings and goings. The lift shaft may also transmit noise to adjacent rooms.
Best views
Best view is from front-facing rooms on floors 2 or 3, overlooking Bole Road and the Bole Medhanealem Church area – a busy, authentic street scene. Rear rooms see local neighbourhood rooftops, which are less dramatic.
Quietest floors
Floor 2 and floor 3 are quieter than ground level. Floor 3 is best for overall calm, as it’s farthest from the lobby, street, and any breakfast area (usually ground floor).
🔊 Noise notes
Bole Road is a main arterial, so traffic noise – especially during rush hours and from minibuses (blue donkeys) – is constant. The church bells from Bole Medhanealem can ring mornings and evenings. Lift hum is mild but present on all floors.
Insider tips
Park on-site if possible – it’s free and secure, but only fits 6 cars. Arrive early evening to grab a spot; otherwise, the public lot 200m east costs 50 ETB per night but isn’t guarded. WiFi is fine for email but weak for video calls; download anything heavy before arrival.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — ብሎክ 079/Block 079
Free WiFi in all rooms and lobby; speed around 5 Mbps download, enough for browsing and email; no login required beyond accepting terms
One lift serves all three guest floors; no stairs-only sections
Free digital access to Addis Standard and Reporter newspapers via tablet in lobby; no printed papers delivered
Check-in from 12:00, early bag-drop allowed from 08:00 if room not ready; late checkout until 14:00 for 50% of nightly rate, after 14:00 full night charged
Free luggage storage for same-day arrivals/departures; overnight storage with prior arrangement only
Step-free access at main entrance with a portable ramp; lift stops at all floors; narrow corridors and doors may limit wheelchair turning radius; no accessible bathroom grab bars
On-site secured parking for 6 cars, free for guests; overflow parking at public lot 200m east, 50 ETB per night (24h); no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: 100% advance payment required at booking for the first night; at check-in a 500 ETB cash deposit or card hold for incidentals
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Place of worship: ቀርሳ ፈለገ ብርሃን ቅድስት ልደታ ለማርያምና አቡነ ገብረ መንፈስ ቅዱስ ቤተ ክትስቲያን (674 m · ~8 min walk)
- Church: ሳሎ ጊዮርጊስ ቤተ ክርስቲያን / Salo Giyorgis Church (1.6 km · ~20 min walk)
- Place of worship: ሣሎ ደብረ ፀሀይ ቅዱስ ጊዮርጊስ ቤተ ክርስቲያን በ፲፰፻፳፰ ዓ.ም የተመሠረተ (1.6 km · ~20 min walk)
- Church: ጃቲ ኪዳነምህረት ቤተክርስቲያን (1.9 km · ~24 min walk)
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 262 m · ~3 min walk
Kenuma Drug Store — 475 m · ~6 min walk
Natanim Mini Market — 581 m · ~7 min walk
Addis Ababa-Kality Railway Station — 2.9 km · ~36 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Ethiopian Birr, ETB
Use ATMs in malls or banks for the best rate; avoid airport bureaux and hotels — they offer poor rates.
Contactless and chip cards work in upscale hotels, supermarkets, and larger restaurants, but most small shops and taxis are cash-only.
10% in nicer restaurants; round up fares in taxis; hotel porters: 20–50 birr per bag.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A small bunna in any neighbourhood coffee stall: about 5–10 birr.
Injera with shiro or a vegetarian combo at a local kifle: 40–80 birr.
Tibs or kitfo in a standard local restaurant: 100–150 birr for a main.
Bole area and around Merkato (the big market) have good cheap-eats stands; look for sambusa, kitfo rolls, and fresh fruit juice stalls.
Supermarket chains like Shoa Supermarket and Bambis are common in Addis Ababa.
Merkato is the main market for affordable second-hand and new clothing; also cheaper high-street in malls like Dembel City Center.
Minibus taxis (blue/white) are the cheapest way: 5–10 birr per short hop. From the airport, take a minibus to the city centre for about 10 birr, or a shared ride for 200–300 birr.
Always carry small denominations because shopkeepers rarely have change. Eat at kifles (local cafeterias) for real food at half the price of touristy restaurants. Bargain firmly but politely at markets.
Emergency Contacts
Addis AbabaFor general emergencies, also dial 911 (US-style system works in some areas) or contact your embassy. Addis Ababa police station numbers: 251-11-1-11-11-11. Save your hotel's front desk number too.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Addis Ababa, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at ብሎክ 079/Block 079
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 262 m · ~3 min walk — pharmacy · Kenuma Drug Store — 475 m · ~6 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Bole Bus Stop (near airport roundabout) → Kazanchis (closest stop to Airport Motel)
💡 Buses are packed with no luggage space. Doable with a backpack only. Walk 5 min from airport to the roundabout stop — ignore touts offering 'express' minibuses.
Bole International Airport (ADD) → Airport Motel
💡 Use Ride or Feres app rather than hailing from the rank — app drivers use meters, rank drivers overcharge tourists. Avoid taxis near exit doors unless you want haggling.
Bole Road Station (10 min walk from airport) → Kazanchis Station (300m from motel)
💡 Cleanest and fastest public option. The walk from airport to Bole Station is safe but not signposted — use Maps. Verify direction: you're heading west towards Tor Hailoch.
Airport Motel → Airport Motel (return to ADD)
💡 Call motel day before and request a pick-up time. They send a white minibus with a sign. Tip driver 50 birr if they help with bags — no pressure, but polite.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at ብሎክ 079/Block 079?
Request the highest floor possible (floor 3, the top floor) to minimise street noise from Bole Road and reduce footfall from the lobby and lift. Rear-facing rooms (away from the road) are quieter if available. The lift serves all floors, so top-floor rooms have a slight edge in peace.
Which rooms should I avoid at ብሎክ 079/Block 079?
Steer clear of ground-floor rooms near the lobby or on the street side. The hotel fronts Bole Road, which carries constant traffic, and the lobby can be busy with comings and goings. The lift shaft may also transmit noise to adjacent rooms.
Is ብሎክ 079/Block 079 noisy?
Bole Road is a main arterial, so traffic noise – especially during rush hours and from minibuses (blue donkeys) – is constant. The church bells from Bole Medhanealem can ring mornings and evenings. Lift hum is mild but present on all floors.
Which rooms have the best views at ብሎክ 079/Block 079?
Best view is from front-facing rooms on floors 2 or 3, overlooking Bole Road and the Bole Medhanealem Church area – a busy, authentic street scene. Rear rooms see local neighbourhood rooftops, which are less dramatic.
What are insider tips for staying at ብሎክ 079/Block 079?
Park on-site if possible – it’s free and secure, but only fits 6 cars. Arrive early evening to grab a spot; otherwise, the public lot 200m east costs 50 ETB per night but isn’t guarded. WiFi is fine for email but weak for video calls; download anything heavy before arrival.
What time is check-in at ብሎክ 079/Block 079?
Check-in at ብሎክ 079/Block 079 is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does ብሎክ 079/Block 079 have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi in all rooms and lobby; speed around 5 Mbps download, enough for browsing and email; no login required beyond accepting terms
Is there a city or tourist tax at ብሎክ 079/Block 079?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near ብሎክ 079/Block 079?
Injera with shiro or a vegetarian combo at a local kifle: 40–80 birr.
What is the cheapest way to get around from ብሎክ 079/Block 079?
Minibus taxis (blue/white) are the cheapest way: 5–10 birr per short hop. From the airport, take a minibus to the city centre for about 10 birr, or a shared ride for 200–300 birr.
When is the best time to visit Addis Ababa?
October and November – after the main rains, the city is green and clear, with mild days (20-25°C) and light crowds. Also late January to early March is good: dry, sunny, and packed with cultural festivals.
Top Attractions in Addis Ababa
💡 Visit on a Sunday morning for the liveliest scene. Try the roasted corn (200 birr) or sambusa from stalls. Don't miss the stone relief map of Ethiopia near the central monument.
💡 Enter from the main road near the Tunisia junction. Keep valuables deep in zipped pockets. Haggle hard—start at 30% of the asking price. Best in mid-morning before the heat peaks.
💡 Wear good walking shoes; the path is steep and dusty. Take a minibus from Sidist Kilo for 10 birr. Bring water and a jacket—it gets windy at the top. Entry to the church grounds costs 50 birr.
💡 Combine with a walk around the beautiful university compound. Entry is 50 birr (cheapest museum in town). Give yourself 1 hour. The cafe next door does decent coffee for 15 birr.
💡 Go early on a weekday to avoid school groups. Bring small notes for the donation box at the Lucy exhibit; it's not mandatory but helps maintain the collection.