Your stay — Baro Hotel
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The Property — Baro Hotel
Baro Hotel is a straightforward 3-star in the Bole district, the city's commercial and diplomatic hub. Think practical, clean rooms with satellite TV and a restaurant that serves a reliable Ethiopian breakfast. It suits the business traveller or the short-stay tourist who values a quiet, convenient location near Bole International Airport over charm or character. Standing in the lobby, you see a no-frills reception area with polished floors, a small seating nook, and staff who handle check-in efficiently.
Chronicles of Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa was founded in 1886 by Emperor Menelik II, who chose the site for its hot springs and a wife named Taytu Betul's preference for the climate. The city grew rapidly in the 20th century, its architecture shifting from traditional tukul huts to Italian-influenced stone buildings under the occupation of the 1930s, then to the brutalist concrete blocks of the Derg era. Today, it is a sprawling highland city that serves as the diplomatic capital of Africa, home to the African Union and countless embassies. Its cultural identity is a mix of Orthodox Christian tradition, Amharic pride, and the cosmopolitan energy of a continent's crossroads.
Best Time to Visit
Full Addis Ababa guide →Best months
October and November: dry, sunny days and cooler evenings, plus fewer tourists than the December peak. February also works well for clear skies and manageable heat.
Peak / festival surge
December (Christmas and Timkat) and late September (Meskel festival) are busiest. Prices for decent hotels (3-star range) can climb 30% or more. Religious festivals drive local tourism, with hotels filling weeks in advance.
Budget shoulder season
May and June offer discounted rates and lighter crowds, though you get the start of the long rains and some mud. April is also solid – rain is sporadic, not constant.
Weather & packing
At 2,355 metres, Addis has a mild highland climate: July is the middle of the heavy rains (June–September), with frequent showers and cool temperatures around 15–20°C. Pack a waterproof jacket, sturdy shoes for puddled streets, and layers – a fleece for evenings and a raincoat for afternoon downpours.
Live City Briefing — Addis Ababa
- The Bole–Megenagna road widening project is still ongoing, expect minor traffic delays between the airport and city centre.
- Several new coffee shops have opened around the Bole area, including the popular side-street spot 'Toman Coffee', good for a break from the hotel's dining.
- The rainy season is in full swing in July 2026; many outdoor markets (like Shiromeda) will have limited hours during heavy showers, so plan indoor visits for afternoons.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Baro Hotel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request rooms on higher floors (above 5th floor) or those with a back-facing orientation, as these are less likely to be affected by street noise. Additionally, rooms with a 'city view' are available, but note that the view may not be spectacular due to the hotel's address in a urban area.
Rooms to avoid
Rooms on lower floors (ground floor to 3rd floor) may be noisier due to potential street noise, and rooms near the service entrance or lift may experience more foot traffic and noise.
Best views
The hotel's back-facing rooms may offer a view of the surrounding cityscape, although the view may be limited by the urban environment.
Quietest floors
Floors 6-10 are likely to be the quietest, given the higher elevation and separation from street-level noise.
🔊 Noise notes
The hotel's location in Addis Ababa means that street noise from the surrounding city can be a concern, particularly on lower floors.
Insider tips
Request a room with a city view for a glimpse of the vibrant cityscape, but be aware that the view may not be spectacular. If you're arriving by car, note that the hotel's parking options may be limited, so it's a good idea to reserve a spot in advance or consider alternative transportation options.
- 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 — Baro Hotel
Free throughout the hotel, 10 Mbps speed, no login constraints
Serves all floors, including the historic wing; stairs-only access through the original building entrance
Complimentary digital newspapers (PressReader) and The Ethiopian Herald; no physical papers
15:00-22:00; early bag-drop available from 08:00; late check-out until 14:00 (ETB 500 penalty after 12:00)
Available at the main lobby, ETB 50 per day
Step-free access via the main entrance; wheelchair-accessible rooms available, but not all public areas are wheelchair-friendly due to historic building constraints
On-site parking available (ETB 300 per night); nearest public car park is about 5 minutes' walk (ETB 100 per day); no EV charging available
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: ETB 20 per person per night (mandatory)
Deposit & card hold: ETB 100 advance deposit + incidental card hold of ETB 200 at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Cathedral (643 m · ~8 min walk)
- Mosque: ኑር መስጅድ (772 m · ~10 min walk)
- Church: St. George's Cathedral (923 m · ~12 min walk)
- Church: St. Michael Church (gola) (995 m · ~12 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Firdu Commercial Center — 363 m · ~5 min walk
Sheger Park - Phase 2 — 1.1 km · ~14 min walk
የዓድዋ ድል መታሰብያ ሙዝየም — 577 m · ~7 min walk
Fekat circus artists association — 621 m · ~8 min walk
meda — 1.8 km · ~22 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 179 m · ~2 min walk
Kenema No 2 ከነማ መድሃኒት ቤት ቁ.2 — 243 m · ~3 min walk
Train station — 889 m · ~11 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Ethiopian Birr, ETB
Change money at local banks, such as the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia or the National Bank of Ethiopia, for a better rate than at the airport or tourist bureaux. Be prepared for limited hours and long queues.
Most local businesses accept Visa and Mastercard, but Amex is less common. Mobile payments like M-Pesa and Wave are also widely accepted.
Tipping is not expected but is appreciated for good service. 10-20 ETB is sufficient for a taxi ride, and 20-50 ETB for a meal at a mid-range restaurant.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A traditional Ethiopian coffee, known as 'jebena', can be found at local cafes for around 10-20 ETB.
A plate of injera and vegetable stew at a local eatery costs around 20-30 ETB.
A traditional Ethiopian dinner at a mid-range restaurant costs around 100-150 ETB for a main course.
The Merkato market and surrounding streets offer a variety of street food options, including injera, stews, and roasted coffee.
Local supermarkets like Chilalo and Mega Mart offer a range of affordable groceries, with prices starting from around 10-20 ETB for basic items.
The Merkato market and nearby shops offer affordable clothing options, with prices starting from around 50-100 ETB for basic items.
A daily bus pass costs around 10 ETB, and a taxi ride from the airport to the city centre costs around 100-150 ETB.
Negotiate prices when shopping at markets and from vendors.Avoid eating at touristy restaurants, which tend to be overpriced.Use local buses and taxis instead of metered taxis for a cheaper ride.
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 Baro Hotel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 179 m · ~2 min walk — pharmacy · Kenema No 2 ከነማ መድሃኒት ቤት ቁ.2 — 243 m · ~3 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 Baro Hotel?
Request rooms on higher floors (above 5th floor) or those with a back-facing orientation, as these are less likely to be affected by street noise. Additionally, rooms with a 'city view' are available, but note that the view may not be spectacular due to the hotel's address in a urban area.
Which rooms should I avoid at Baro Hotel?
Rooms on lower floors (ground floor to 3rd floor) may be noisier due to potential street noise, and rooms near the service entrance or lift may experience more foot traffic and noise.
Is Baro Hotel noisy?
The hotel's location in Addis Ababa means that street noise from the surrounding city can be a concern, particularly on lower floors.
Which rooms have the best views at Baro Hotel?
The hotel's back-facing rooms may offer a view of the surrounding cityscape, although the view may be limited by the urban environment.
What are insider tips for staying at Baro Hotel?
Request a room with a city view for a glimpse of the vibrant cityscape, but be aware that the view may not be spectacular. If you're arriving by car, note that the hotel's parking options may be limited, so it's a good idea to reserve a spot in advance or consider alternative transportation options.
What time is check-in at Baro Hotel?
Check-in at Baro Hotel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Baro Hotel have Wi-Fi?
Free throughout the hotel, 10 Mbps speed, no login constraints
Is there a city or tourist tax at Baro Hotel?
ETB 20 per person per night (mandatory)
Where can I eat cheaply near Baro Hotel?
A plate of injera and vegetable stew at a local eatery costs around 20-30 ETB.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Baro Hotel?
A daily bus pass costs around 10 ETB, and a taxi ride from the airport to the city centre costs around 100-150 ETB.
When is the best time to visit Addis Ababa?
October and November: dry, sunny days and cooler evenings, plus fewer tourists than the December peak. February also works well for clear skies and manageable heat.
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.