🇪🇹 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Astara Hotel
📍 2Q35+68M, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Your stay — Astara Hotel
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Addis Ababa.
The Property — Astara Hotel
The Astara Hotel in Addis Ababa’s Bole district feels like a quiet business-class refuge: clean lines, neutral tones, and a lobby with a functioning coffee corner where staff remember your name. It suits professionals needing reliable Wi-Fi and a quick taxi to Bole International Airport, or couples wanting a neat base before heading south. The USP is efficiency – the service is prompt, the breakfast buffet includes fresh Ethiopian flatbread and scrambled eggs, and there’s a small gym that actually has working treadmills.
Chronicles of Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa was founded in 1886 by Emperor Menelik II and Empress Taytu Betul, chosen for its hot springs and highland climate. Its architecture evolved from traditional tukul huts to Italian rationalist blocks under occupation (1936–41), then to modernist towers after the 1974 revolution. Today the city is a political hub for the African Union and a cultural crossroads, with the National Museum housing Lucy (3.2-million-year-old hominid remains) and a thriving music scene mixing Ethio-jazz with contemporary pop.
Best Time to Visit
Full Addis Ababa guide →Best months
November and January are ideal – the long rains have ended by October, skies are clear, and the city is less humid; crowds are manageable because it’s outside major holidays.
Peak / festival surge
September is peak season because of Meskel (Finding of the True Cross) celebrations on 27th September, which draw pilgrims and tourists. Hotel rates rise by 30–50% that fortnight. The Great Ethiopian Run in November also fills hotels temporarily.
Budget shoulder season
March and May are the best budget shoulder months: the short rainy season (Belg) brings occasional showers but lower rates, fewer tourists, and lush landscapes.
Weather & packing
Addis sits at 2,355m altitude – daytime temps hover 20–25°C year-round, nights drop to 10°C. Pack layers: a light waterproof jacket for sudden showers, and a fleece for cool evenings; leave shorts at home.
Live City Briefing — Addis Ababa
- Bole Road widening between 22 Mazoria and CMC is reducing taxi travel times to the airport – expect 10-minute rides. The new BRT line from Megenagna to Mexico Square started trial runs in May 2026.
- The ‘Unity Park’ at the National Palace reopened extended hours (8am–6pm) last month, now including a historical railway museum. Tickets cost 200 birr for foreigners.
- July 2026 is peak rainy season (Kiremt) – expect daily downpours and occasional flight delays. Carry a small umbrella and check Ethiopian Airlines’ weather advisories.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Astara Hotel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request rooms on higher floors (above 5) for a quieter stay, as the hotel is located on a busy street in Addis Ababa. These rooms are likely to be less affected by street noise. Additionally, rooms on the west side of the building might receive more natural light and have a better view of the surrounding area.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on lower floors (below 5) as they may be more prone to street noise from the busy streets of Addis Ababa. Rooms near the service entrance or lift might also experience noise from staff and guests.
Best views
A room on a higher floor with a west-facing orientation might offer a view of the surrounding cityscape.
Quietest floors
Floors 6-10 are likely to be the quietest, given the hotel's layout and address.
🔊 Noise notes
Be prepared for some street noise from the busy streets of Addis Ababa, especially on lower floors. The hotel's location in the city means that there may be some noise from nearby traffic and pedestrians.
Insider tips
Request a room with a strong Wi-Fi signal if you're planning to stay connected during your stay. Take advantage of the hotel's 24-hour room service for a convenient and hassle-free dining experience.
- 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 — Astara Hotel
free access up to 1 Gbps, no login constraints
serves all floors, including the historic wing
complimentary digital newsstand through PressReader, physical newspapers available at the lobby from 06:00 to 22:00
check-in from 14:00, early bag-drop from 06:00, late check-out until 15:00 with Birr 500 fee; late check-out after 15:00 incurs additional Birr 1,000 fee
available 24/7, Birr 50 per bag, per day
step-free access to the hotel, wheelchair-accessible entries to the main lobby and rooms, historic areas have limited wheelchair accessibility
on-site parking available, Birr 200 per night, valet parking Birr 300 per night; nearest public car park, Ras Hotel Parking, Birr 150 per night; no EV charging available
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: Birr 20 per night, per person, mandatory city tax
Deposit & card hold: Birr 200 advance deposit + Birr 1,000 incidental card hold at check-in for 2026-07-08 to 2026-07-09
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Place of worship: ደብረ ፍስሃ መካነ ሰማዕት ቅዱስ ቂርቆስ ቤተ ክርስቲያን በ፲፰፻፺፱ ዓ.ም ተመሠረተ (366 m · ~5 min walk)
- Church: St.Kirkos church (369 m · ~5 min walk)
- Church: Southern Addis Ababa Meserete Kristos Church (1.2 km · ~15 min walk)
- Place of worship: ተባረክ መስጅድ (ጀርመን ግቢ) (1.3 km · ~17 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Demble City Center — 1.6 km · ~20 min walk
Meskel Square — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
አዲስ አበባ ሙዚየም — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
National Theatre — 1.8 km · ~23 min walk
Club des Cheminots — 973 m · ~12 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 1.4 km · ~17 min walk
Solo Da pharmacy — 1.1 km · ~14 min walk
Meshwalekya — 414 m · ~5 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Ethiopian Birr, ETB
Travellers can exchange currency at currency exchange offices or banks in the city, with better rates at banks. Be cautious of poor rates at airport or tourist bureaux.
Credit cards are widely accepted in major hotels, restaurants, and shops, but cash is still preferred in smaller establishments. Mobile payments like M-Pesa and mobile banking apps are also popular.
Tipping is not expected but is appreciated for good service. 10-20 ETB for taxi drivers, 10-20 ETB for hotel porters, and 5-10 ETB for restaurant staff.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A typical cheap coffee is around 10-15 ETB at a local café, often served in a small cup.
A traditional injera with vegetables and meat can be found for around 20-30 ETB at a local eatery.
A simple dinner at a local restaurant can cost around 50-70 ETB for a main course.
Street food is available in Merkato, a large market, and around Meskel Square.
Local supermarkets like Chilalo and Mega Supermarket have multiple locations in the area.
Affordable shopping can be found at local markets like Merkato or at shops on Churchill Avenue.
A day pass for public transportation costs around 1 ETB, and taxis are affordable at around 10-20 ETB for short distances.
Consider buying bottled water instead of drinking tap water, use public transportation instead of taxis, and try local food instead of relying on Western restaurants.
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 Astara Hotel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 1.4 km · ~17 min walk — pharmacy · Solo Da pharmacy — 1.1 km · ~14 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.
About Addis Ababa
Wikipedia ↗
Addis Ababa ( AD-iss AB-ə-bə; Amharic: አዲስ አበባ [adˈdis ˈaβəβa] , lit. 'new flower'; Oromo: Finfinnee, lit. 'fountain of hot mineral water', Arabic: اديس ابابا, romanized: adiis ababeh, lit. 'Centre of the Flower') is the capital and largest city of Ethiopia. With an estimated population of 2,739,55...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Astara Hotel?
Request rooms on higher floors (above 5) for a quieter stay, as the hotel is located on a busy street in Addis Ababa. These rooms are likely to be less affected by street noise. Additionally, rooms on the west side of the building might receive more natural light and have a better view of the surrounding area.
Which rooms should I avoid at Astara Hotel?
Avoid rooms on lower floors (below 5) as they may be more prone to street noise from the busy streets of Addis Ababa. Rooms near the service entrance or lift might also experience noise from staff and guests.
Is Astara Hotel noisy?
Be prepared for some street noise from the busy streets of Addis Ababa, especially on lower floors. The hotel's location in the city means that there may be some noise from nearby traffic and pedestrians.
Which rooms have the best views at Astara Hotel?
A room on a higher floor with a west-facing orientation might offer a view of the surrounding cityscape.
What are insider tips for staying at Astara Hotel?
Request a room with a strong Wi-Fi signal if you're planning to stay connected during your stay. Take advantage of the hotel's 24-hour room service for a convenient and hassle-free dining experience.
What time is check-in at Astara Hotel?
Check-in at Astara Hotel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Astara Hotel have Wi-Fi?
free access up to 1 Gbps, no login constraints
Is there a city or tourist tax at Astara Hotel?
Birr 20 per night, per person, mandatory city tax
Where can I eat cheaply near Astara Hotel?
A traditional injera with vegetables and meat can be found for around 20-30 ETB at a local eatery.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Astara Hotel?
A day pass for public transportation costs around 1 ETB, and taxis are affordable at around 10-20 ETB for short distances.
When is the best time to visit Addis Ababa?
November and January are ideal – the long rains have ended by October, skies are clear, and the city is less humid; crowds are manageable because it’s outside major holidays.
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.