Your stay — Bole Central Apartment
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The Property — Bole Central Apartment
Bole Central Apartment is a functional 3-star self-catering option in a concrete residential block near Bole Medhanealem Church. The lobby is basic and clean, with a security desk and a worn sofa. It suits travellers who prefer a private apartment over a hotel: you get a kitchenette, a separate sitting area, and a reliable hot shower. It's not stylish, but it's honest – a sensible base for short-term work or transit stops.
Chronicles of Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa was founded in 1886 by Empress Taytu Betul, who chose the site for its hot springs and eucalyptus groves. The city grew rapidly under Emperor Menelik II, becoming Ethiopia's permanent capital in the early 20th century. Italian occupation left a mark in the form of rationalist architecture and wide avenues. Today, Addis is a diplomatic hub, home to the African Union, and a melting pot of traditional crafts, Italian espresso culture, and modernist tower blocks.
Best Time to Visit
Full Addis Ababa guide →Best months
October and November: after the main rains, clear skies, good visibility for mountain views, fewer tourists than the European summer.
Peak / festival surge
December to February is peak season for sunny weather and Christmas (Ethiopian Christmas is 7 Jan). Hotel prices rise 20-30% and rooms get booked weeks ahead. The Great Ethiopian Run in November also adds demand.
Budget shoulder season
March-May is a good shoulder: before the long rains start, still partly sunny, hotel rates drop 15-20%, and crowds thin out.
Weather & packing
Addis sits at 2,355m – expect cool mornings (8-10°C) and warm afternoons (22-24°C) even in June. Pack layers: a lightweight jacket or fleece for mornings, and a rain jacket or umbrella for sudden afternoon showers.
Live City Briefing — Addis Ababa
- The Addis Ababa light rail is running a reduced weekday schedule due to maintenance on the north-south line; check before relying on it to get to Bole.
- Bole International Airport's new terminal opened fully in 2025, but roadworks on the approach road (Ring Road) can cause 15-20 minute delays.
- Ethiopian authorities implemented a digital visa-on-arrival system at Bole Airport in early 2026 for many nationalities – speeds up entry but have a printed confirmation ready.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Bole Central Apartment, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the higher floors (4-6) for a quieter stay, as the hotel is located near a busy intersection and street noise from the surrounding area can be a concern.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms near the lift, as it's the only lift serving all floors and can be noisy, especially if multiple guests are using it at the same time.
Best views
Rooms on the higher floors (4-6) offer a view of the surrounding cityscape, but be aware that the hotel's location near a busy intersection might make the view partially obstructed.
Quietest floors
Floors 4-6
🔊 Noise notes
Street noise from the surrounding area can be a concern, especially during peak hours. Additionally, the lift can be noisy, especially if multiple guests are using it at the same time.
Insider tips
Arrive early to secure free parking, as spaces are limited and first-come first-served. Take advantage of free WiFi with sufficient speed for videocalls and streaming, but be aware that there are no audible signals in the lift, so make sure to check the floor number carefully before exiting.
- 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 — Bole Central Apartment
Free, no login required. Speed sufficient for videocalls and streaming, about 10 Mbps down.
One lift serves all 6 floors. No stairs-only sections.
No newspapers. No digital newsstand. Building has a small rooftop terrace with a view of Mount Entoto, original to the 1990s construction.
Standard check-in: 14:00. Early bag drop allowed from 08:00. Late check-out until 12:00 free, after 12:00 charged 50% of one night.
Free of charge at reception. Secure but not locked, ask for a tag.
Step-free via a ramp at the side entrance. Lift fits a wheelchair. Doors are standard width, tight for larger chairs. No audible signals in lift.
Free on-site parking for 4 cars, first-come first-served. Nearest public car park at Bole Medhanealem Hospital, 500 m away, 50 ETB per hour. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: 30% advance deposit due on booking; remainder plus 2000 ETB incidental hold on a credit or debit card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Place of worship: ቦሌ መስጅድ (1.1 km · ~14 min walk)
- Mosque: Dewam Mosque (1.1 km · ~14 min walk)
- Church: Urael Ethiopian Orthodox Church (1.3 km · ~17 min walk)
- Church: Urael Ethiopian Orthodox Church (1.3 km · ~17 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Grace Plaza — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk
Shalla Public Park — 589 m · ~7 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk
Nile Pharmacy — 543 m · ~7 min walk
Almi Mini Market — 529 m · ~7 min walk
Hayahulet 1 — 1.4 km · ~17 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Ethiopian Birr, ETB
Change money at banks or licensed forex bureaux in Bole area; avoid the airport or hotel desks as rates are poor.
Cards accepted in upscale hotels and some supermarkets; most local shops, taxis, and street stalls expect cash.
Restaurants: 10% for good service; taxis: round up to nearest 10-20 Birr; hotel staff: 50-100 Birr for porter/housekeeping.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A single espresso or macchiato at a local coffee stall or kiosk: 10-20 ETB.
Injera with a vegetarian or meat sauce combo from a corner cafeteria: 60-120 ETB.
A main of grilled meat (tibs) or pasta with salad at a neighbourhood restaurant: 100-200 ETB.
Merkato and around Piazza for sambusa, shiro rolls, and roasted corn; stalls are common on street corners.
Branches of Shoa Supermarket, Belayab, or newer chain Delilah are common in the Bole and around the airport area.
Merkato (open market) for second-hand and new clothing; small shops along Bole Road offer mid-range attire.
Blue-and-white minibus taxis (around 5-10 ETB per short trip) are the cheapest; from airport, take line bus for 10 ETB or minibus to Bole area for 20 ETB.
Eat at local cafeterias serving set lunches (boonda) for under 100 ETB; use shared minibuses instead of private taxis; buy snacks and water from kiosks not tourist shops.
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 Bole Central Apartment
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk — pharmacy · Nile Pharmacy — 543 m · ~7 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 Bole Central Apartment?
Request a room on the higher floors (4-6) for a quieter stay, as the hotel is located near a busy intersection and street noise from the surrounding area can be a concern.
Which rooms should I avoid at Bole Central Apartment?
Avoid rooms near the lift, as it's the only lift serving all floors and can be noisy, especially if multiple guests are using it at the same time.
Is Bole Central Apartment noisy?
Street noise from the surrounding area can be a concern, especially during peak hours. Additionally, the lift can be noisy, especially if multiple guests are using it at the same time.
Which rooms have the best views at Bole Central Apartment?
Rooms on the higher floors (4-6) offer a view of the surrounding cityscape, but be aware that the hotel's location near a busy intersection might make the view partially obstructed.
What are insider tips for staying at Bole Central Apartment?
Arrive early to secure free parking, as spaces are limited and first-come first-served. Take advantage of free WiFi with sufficient speed for videocalls and streaming, but be aware that there are no audible signals in the lift, so make sure to check the floor number carefully before exiting.
What time is check-in at Bole Central Apartment?
Check-in at Bole Central Apartment is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Bole Central Apartment have Wi-Fi?
Free, no login required. Speed sufficient for videocalls and streaming, about 10 Mbps down.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Bole Central Apartment?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Bole Central Apartment?
Injera with a vegetarian or meat sauce combo from a corner cafeteria: 60-120 ETB.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Bole Central Apartment?
Blue-and-white minibus taxis (around 5-10 ETB per short trip) are the cheapest; from airport, take line bus for 10 ETB or minibus to Bole area for 20 ETB.
When is the best time to visit Addis Ababa?
October and November: after the main rains, clear skies, good visibility for mountain views, fewer tourists than the European summer.
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.