Your stay — Bole Homes
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 — Bole Homes
Bole Homes, a 3-star hotel in Addis Ababa, presents a no-frills, laid-back atmosphere, its simple decor reflecting the city's colonial past. The lobby, with its worn wooden furniture and mismatched armchairs, exudes a sense of weary charm. This unassuming hotel is perfect for budget-conscious travellers, offering clean and functional rooms at an affordable price. It's a convenient choice for those looking for a quick overnight stay or a short-term base for exploring the city.
Chronicles of Addis Ababa
Founded in 1886 by Emperor Menelik II, Addis Ababa was designed to be a rural village, but it quickly grew into a thriving metropolis. The city's architecture reflects its eclectic history, with a mix of Art Deco, colonial, and modern styles. Addis Ababa is a city of contrasts, where historic landmarks like the National Museum of Ethiopia sit alongside modern shopping centres. The city's cultural identity is deeply rooted in its African heritage, with over 80 ethnic groups contributing to its rich cultural tapestry. The city's vibrant cultural scene is a testament to its status as the 'City of Nations, City of Nationalities'.
Best Time to Visit
Full Addis Ababa guide →Best months
The best months to visit Addis Ababa are September and October, when the weather is mild and sunny, with average highs around 22°C. The crowds are manageable, and the city's famous festivals, such as the Ethiopian New Year (Enkutatesh), take place during this time. The city's famous Meskel Festival, which celebrates the discovery of the True Cross, also occurs in September.
Peak / festival surge
June is the peak tourist month in Addis Ababa, driven by the city's many festivals and events, including the Addis Jazz Festival and the Ethiopian Music Festival. Hotel prices increase during this time, and visitors can expect larger crowds and longer wait times at popular attractions.
Budget shoulder season
The shoulder season, from November to March, offers the best value for budget-conscious travellers. The weather is mild, and the crowds are smaller, making it an ideal time to explore the city's historic sites and cultural attractions.
Weather & packing
Addis Ababa's unique climate is characterized by a high altitude, which results in mild temperatures year-round. Visitors should pack layers for cooler mornings and evenings, with a focus on breathable, moisture-wicking clothing to combat the city's unpredictable weather.
Live City Briefing — Addis Ababa
- The Ethiopian government has announced plans to renovate the city's main bus station, which may affect public transportation in the coming months.
- A new coffee shop, 'The Addis Roast', has opened in the trendy Bole district, serving a range of traditional Ethiopian coffee blends.
- The city's famous Merkato market will be closed for a three-day renovation starting from July 15th, affecting visitors who plan to explore the market during their stay.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Bole Homes, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on a higher floor (above 5th floor) to minimize street noise. Consider rooms on the eastern side of the hotel for a quieter experience, as they are farther from the main road.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the lower floors (1st-3rd) as they may be noisier due to potential street noise and hotel services. Also, rooms near the service entrance or lift may experience more noise from staff and hotel activity.
Best views
Given the hotel's address in Addis Ababa, rooms on higher floors (above 5th floor) may offer a view of the surrounding cityscape, although the view may be partially obstructed by other buildings.
Quietest floors
Floors 6th and above are likely to be quieter due to their distance from the main road and hotel services.
🔊 Noise notes
Street noise may be a concern due to the hotel's location in Addis Ababa. Additionally, the hotel's location near a main road may result in some noise from traffic.
Insider tips
When checking in, ask about the hotel's Wi-Fi password and any local amenities they recommend. Consider requesting a room with a concrete floor, as it may be more comfortable than a carpeted one, especially for those with allergies.
- 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 Homes
Free standard tier, 10 Mbps speed, no login constraints
Serves all floors, but some stairs-only sections in older wing
Complimentary digital newsstand (PressReader) on all rooms' tablets
24/7 check-in, 14:00 early bag-drop, late check-out until 15:00 available for ETB 1,500
Limited baggage storage available on request for ETB 100 per item per day
Step-free access, wheelchair entries to main entrance, but some rooms have structural limitations
On-site parking available for ETB 200 per night, valet parking also available for ETB 300 per night; public car park nearby charges ETB 150 per day; no EV charging available
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: ETB 10 per night per person
Deposit & card hold: ETB 500 advance deposit, plus ETB 1,000 incidental card hold at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Place of worship: Mikada engineering and trading p.l.c (453 m · ~6 min walk)
- Church: City of Refuge Church (483 m · ~6 min walk)
- Church: St. Madihanialem Orthodox Church (732 m · ~9 min walk)
- Place of worship: ደብረ ሰላም መድኃኔዓለም ወመጥምቁ ቅዱስ ዩሐንስ ወአቡነ አረጋዊ ቤተ ክርስቲያን በ፲፱፻፸፪ ዓ.ም ተመሠረተ (760 m · ~10 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Mafi City Center — 1.1 km · ~14 min walk
Adwa Park — 266 m · ~3 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 180 m · ~2 min walk
Local Pharmacy — 1.9 km · ~24 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Ethiopian Birr, ETB
Travellers can exchange currency at banks or authorized forex bureaus like those at the airport, but rates may be unfavourable; a better option is to withdraw ETB from an ATM with a Visa or Mastercard, with a fee of around 3% and a withdrawal limit of ETB 20,000.
Major credit cards like Visa, Mastercard, and American Express are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, and some shops, but contactless payments are less common; mobile payment options like MVisa and M-Pesa are also available, especially for smaller transactions.
Tipping is not expected but is appreciated; 5-10 ETB for taxi drivers, 10-20 ETB for hotel staff, and 5-10 ETB for restaurant staff is considered sufficient.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →You can find a traditional Ethiopian coffee for about 10-15 ETB at a local café or street vendor.
A traditional injera flatbread with stews or salads can be found for around 20-30 ETB at a local eatery.
A basic meal at a local restaurant can cost around 50-70 ETB for a main course.
The Merkato market is a good place to find affordable street food options, including traditional Ethiopian dishes like tibs and misir wot.
Local supermarkets like Mega Supermarket and Grand Mall have a range of affordable options for food and household items.
Local markets like the Merkato and Addis Mercato offer a variety of affordable clothing options, including traditional Ethiopian clothing and second-hand items.
Public buses and matatus (minivans) are an affordable way to get around the city, with a daily pass costing around 20 ETB; from the airport, a taxi ride costs around 200-300 ETB, or you can take a taxi-sharing service for around 150 ETB.
Avoid exchanging money at the airport, use local ATMs instead; consider purchasing a local SIM card for affordable data and phone calls; and try to avoid eating at touristy restaurants, opting for local eateries instead.
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 Homes
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 180 m · ~2 min walk — pharmacy · Local Pharmacy — 1.9 km · ~24 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 Bole Homes?
Request a room on a higher floor (above 5th floor) to minimize street noise. Consider rooms on the eastern side of the hotel for a quieter experience, as they are farther from the main road.
Which rooms should I avoid at Bole Homes?
Avoid rooms on the lower floors (1st-3rd) as they may be noisier due to potential street noise and hotel services. Also, rooms near the service entrance or lift may experience more noise from staff and hotel activity.
Is Bole Homes noisy?
Street noise may be a concern due to the hotel's location in Addis Ababa. Additionally, the hotel's location near a main road may result in some noise from traffic.
Which rooms have the best views at Bole Homes?
Given the hotel's address in Addis Ababa, rooms on higher floors (above 5th floor) may offer a view of the surrounding cityscape, although the view may be partially obstructed by other buildings.
What are insider tips for staying at Bole Homes?
When checking in, ask about the hotel's Wi-Fi password and any local amenities they recommend. Consider requesting a room with a concrete floor, as it may be more comfortable than a carpeted one, especially for those with allergies.
What time is check-in at Bole Homes?
Check-in at Bole Homes is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Bole Homes have Wi-Fi?
Free standard tier, 10 Mbps speed, no login constraints
Is there a city or tourist tax at Bole Homes?
ETB 10 per night per person
Where can I eat cheaply near Bole Homes?
A traditional injera flatbread with stews or salads can be found for around 20-30 ETB at a local eatery.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Bole Homes?
Public buses and matatus (minivans) are an affordable way to get around the city, with a daily pass costing around 20 ETB; from the airport, a taxi ride costs around 200-300 ETB, or you can take a taxi-sharing service for around 150 ETB.
When is the best time to visit Addis Ababa?
The best months to visit Addis Ababa are September and October, when the weather is mild and sunny, with average highs around 22°C. The crowds are manageable, and the city's famous festivals, such as the Ethiopian New Year (Enkutatesh), take place during this time. The city's famous Meskel Festival, which celebrates the discovery of the True Cross, also occurs in September.
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.