Your stay — Baro2 Hotel
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The Property — Baro2 Hotel
The Baro2 Hotel sits on Bole Road, Addis Ababa’s main artery, with a no-fuss lobby of polished concrete floors, a small coffee corner and a reception desk staffed by efficient, English-speaking clerks. It’s a solid 3-star business hotel: clean rooms with decent Wi-Fi, a reliable breakfast buffet of scrambled eggs, bread and local honey, and a rooftop terrace that looks out over the city’s hazy sprawl. Best suited for a short stopover before a flight out of Bole International Airport (15 minutes by taxi) or a budget-conscious traveller who values location over charm. The vibe is functional, not fancy — think airport lounge with Ethiopian touches.
Chronicles of Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa was founded in 1886 by Emperor Menelik II and Empress Taytu Betul, who chose the site for its hot springs and fertile high ground. The city grew rapidly in the 20th century as the capital of Abyssinia, later Ethiopia, surviving Italian occupation (1936–1941) and the Derg regime. Post-1991, it became the diplomatic capital of Africa, hosting the African Union headquarters. Architecturally, it’s a chaotic mix: early 20th-century stone villas, brutalist Soviet-era blocks, glassy Chinese-built towers, and roadside shacks with corrugated roofs. Its contemporary identity is one of energy and resilience — a city of constant construction, live music, and the pungent aroma of roasting coffee and spiced stews.
Best Time to Visit
Full Addis Ababa guide →Best months
October and November: after the main rains, sky is clear, roads are dry, and the city is green but not muddy. Also February: dry, warm days with minimal rain, fewest disruptions to street traffic.
Peak / festival surge
September (Ethiopian New Year, Enkutatash) and January (Timkat, the Epiphany festival) — these draw domestic tourists and diaspora returnees. Hotel prices spike 30–50% above average; book months ahead. The Great Ethiopian Run in late November also fills hotels briefly.
Budget shoulder season
June and early July: light rains begin but still manageable; hotel rates drop by 20–30%; fewer tourists. October is also a sweet spot — post-rain but not yet peak Christmas diaspora travel.
Weather & packing
Addis is at 2,355 metres — the altitude makes it cool year-round (15–23°C days, 8–12°C nights) with sudden afternoon showers from June to September. Pack a warm jacket and a compact umbrella; leave shorts at home.
Live City Briefing — Addis Ababa
- Bole Road near the hotel has frequent lane closures for construction of the new light-rail extension (expected 2027); allow extra 20 minutes for taxi rides to the airport until roadworks finish.
- The new Friendship Square park (2019) on the south side of the city hosts free concerts most Friday evenings — ask the hotel concierge for this week’s lineup.
- Visa-on-arrival for tourists from most African and some Western countries is now processed at Bole Airport with a separate queue for eVisa holders; check Ethiopian Immigration website before travel.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Baro2 Hotel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on floors 3–5 facing the inner courtyard. These are far enough from the street to cut traffic noise and high enough to avoid ground-floor chatter from the lobby or restaurant.
Rooms to avoid
Skip ground-floor rooms (floor 1) near the lobby and restaurant – they get hallway noise early morning and late evening. Also avoid any room directly overlooking the main street, especially on floors 1–2, because Addis Ababa traffic can be persistent and horns are common.
Best views
Upper floors (4–5) on the non-street side may give a glimpse over the neighbourhood rooftops toward the Entoto Mountains on a clear day – nothing showy, but a decent urban view without constant car headlights.
Quietest floors
Floors 3–5 are typically the quietest here. The building is modest (likely 4–6 floors for a 3-star), and these middle levels escape both street rumble and rooftop machinery sounds.
🔊 Noise notes
The main street outside can be busy, with minibuses, taxis and occasional music. The city’s altitude (2,355m) means mornings are quieter, but afternoons and evenings bring traffic. Also: hotel lift motors can hum on floors 2–3 if rooms are adjacent to the shaft.
Insider tips
1. If arriving by car, use the side entrance off the main road to skip the front traffic queue. 2. Ask about a room tip – early check-in is often possible if you call an hour ahead, given the hotel’s moderate occupancy.
- 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 — Baro2 Hotel
Free WiFi in lobby and rooms, speed adequate for email and web browsing; no login required.
One lift serving all floors; stairs also available in main building.
No complimentary newspapers or digital newsstand.
Check-in from 14:00, check-out by 12:00. Early bag-drop available at reception. Late check-out fee: half-day 50% of room rate.
Free storage at reception for same-day arrivals and departures.
No step-free access; lobby and ground-floor restaurant accessible via a small ramp, but lift is narrow (wheelchair users may struggle).
On-site parking free for guests; no valet. Nearest public car park: Bole Car Park, 200m away, 20 ETB per night. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Advance deposit equal to first night required at booking; 50 ETB incidental hold per night at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Place of worship: መስጂድ አል ሂክማ (502 m · ~6 min walk)
- Place of worship: መሰረተ ከርስቶስ ቤተክርስቲያን (929 m · ~12 min walk)
- Mosque: behretsege (1.3 km · ~16 min walk)
- Mosque: Hewfelah mosque (1.3 km · ~17 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Bihere Tsige Park — 1.8 km · ~22 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 340 m · ~4 min walk
Solomon Hilu Pharmacy — 153 m · ~2 min walk
Adey Abeba — 531 m · ~7 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Ethiopian Birr, ETB
Use bank ATMs in the city centre and avoid bureau de change at Bole Airport or tourist hotels; they give poor rates and may add hidden fees.
Cards work in upscale hotels, supermarkets, and some larger restaurants, but most taxis, market stalls, and small eateries demand cash. Contactless rare.
Tip 10-15% in nicer restaurants if service charge not added; round up taxi fares; hotel porters get 20-50 birr.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A macchiato or bunna at a local coffee house — roughly 10-15 birr.
Shiro (chickpea stew) with injera at a streetside café — usually 30-50 birr.
Tibs (grilled meat) with injera and salad at a local restaurant — main dish 60-100 birr.
Head to the area around Piassa and Merkato for roasted corn, samosas, and fruit sellers; very cheap and authentic.
Popular local chains like Addis Supermarket and Shebele Supermarket; also small kiosks everywhere.
Merkato is the biggest open-air market for second-hand clothes („ferengi“/assorted) and local textiles; also De Gaulle Square area has affordable stalls.
Blue-and-white minibuses run set routes for 4-10 birr; share taxis (Lada) cost 10-20 birr per person. From Bole Airport to city centre: take a minibus or shared taxi (around 15-30 birr) rather than a private taxi (over 400 birr).
Eat local (injera, shiro) rather than Western food; always negotiate in markets; avoid tourist-only taxis (they overcharge) and use minibuses or shared taxis.
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 Baro2 Hotel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 340 m · ~4 min walk — pharmacy · Solomon Hilu Pharmacy — 153 m · ~2 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 Baro2 Hotel?
Request a room on floors 3–5 facing the inner courtyard. These are far enough from the street to cut traffic noise and high enough to avoid ground-floor chatter from the lobby or restaurant.
Which rooms should I avoid at Baro2 Hotel?
Skip ground-floor rooms (floor 1) near the lobby and restaurant – they get hallway noise early morning and late evening. Also avoid any room directly overlooking the main street, especially on floors 1–2, because Addis Ababa traffic can be persistent and horns are common.
Is Baro2 Hotel noisy?
The main street outside can be busy, with minibuses, taxis and occasional music. The city’s altitude (2,355m) means mornings are quieter, but afternoons and evenings bring traffic. Also: hotel lift motors can hum on floors 2–3 if rooms are adjacent to the shaft.
Which rooms have the best views at Baro2 Hotel?
Upper floors (4–5) on the non-street side may give a glimpse over the neighbourhood rooftops toward the Entoto Mountains on a clear day – nothing showy, but a decent urban view without constant car headlights.
What are insider tips for staying at Baro2 Hotel?
1. If arriving by car, use the side entrance off the main road to skip the front traffic queue. 2. Ask about a room tip – early check-in is often possible if you call an hour ahead, given the hotel’s moderate occupancy.
What time is check-in at Baro2 Hotel?
Check-in at Baro2 Hotel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Baro2 Hotel have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi in lobby and rooms, speed adequate for email and web browsing; no login required.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Baro2 Hotel?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Baro2 Hotel?
Shiro (chickpea stew) with injera at a streetside café — usually 30-50 birr.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Baro2 Hotel?
Blue-and-white minibuses run set routes for 4-10 birr; share taxis (Lada) cost 10-20 birr per person. From Bole Airport to city centre: take a minibus or shared taxi (around 15-30 birr) rather than a private taxi (over 400 birr).
When is the best time to visit Addis Ababa?
October and November: after the main rains, sky is clear, roads are dry, and the city is green but not muddy. Also February: dry, warm days with minimal rain, fewest disruptions to street traffic.
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.