Your stay — Condominium
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The Property — Condominium
The Condominium in Addis Ababa has the unsentimental feel of a neighbourhood guesthouse that means business. Wood-panelled corridors smell faintly of coffee, and the small lobby with its worn sofas rarely echoes; travellers are typically younger backpackers or NGO staff passing through. It suits the budget-conscious who want a reliable base near the Bole area without frills. Rooms are clean but spartan — expect tile floors, a desk and a functional en suite. The real draw is the price and the proximity to commuter minibus routes.
Chronicles of Addis Ababa
Founded in 1886 by Emperor Menelik II, Addis Ababa grew quickly as a political and diplomatic hub for a newly unified Ethiopia. Its name, Amharic for 'new flower', reflects its youthful status compared to ancient capitals like Lalibela or Axum. The Italian occupation in the 1930s left behind functionalist buildings and wide boulevards that still structure the city centre. Post-war, Addis became the seat of the African Union, drawing embassies and a cosmopolitan layer over its traditional markets and Orthodox churches. Today it’s a city of contradictions — glassy towers rise next to corrugated-iron shacks, and heavy traffic competes with wandering goats in some suburbs.
Best Time to Visit
Full Addis Ababa guide →Best months
October and November offer warm, sunny days after the long rains, with fewer tourists than the peak season; December is crisp and clear for sightseeing.
Peak / festival surge
September sees a surge around Ethiopian New Year (Enkutatash, 11-12 September), plus the end-of-rains festivals. Hotel prices can jump 30-50% during major holidays like Christmas (7 January) and Timkat (19 January).
Budget shoulder season
April and May are the 'small rains' months — still workable with a good jacket, and room rates often drop 20% as visitors avoid the drizzle.
Weather & packing
Addis sits at 2,355 metres — it’s cool year-round with fierce sun. Pack layers: a fleece or cardigan for mornings and evenings, and a lightweight rain shell for sudden afternoon showers.
Live City Briefing — Addis Ababa
- The Addis Ababa Light Rail is undergoing track replacement on the East-West line until late 2026; expect reduced frequency and longer waits for Ring Road travel.
- A new terminal at Bole International Airport opened fully in 2025, easing arrivals congestion but adding a 15-minute walk from drop-off to passport control.
- The city introduced a congestion tax for non-resident vehicles in the central business district starting April 2026, making minibuses and the light rail more practical for visitors.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Condominium, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on a higher floor (3rd or 4th) for a quieter stay. The single lift serving all 4 guest floors can be a source of noise, but the higher you are, the less likely you'll be disturbed by the constant elevator traffic.
Rooms to avoid
Rooms on the first floor are likely to be noisier due to the main entrance and possible foot traffic. Additionally, rooms near the lift may experience more noise from the elevator's operation throughout the day.
Best views
Unfortunately, the hotel's address on Bole Road does not offer any notable views, given the surrounding urban context. However, rooms facing east or west may catch a glimpse of the surrounding cityscape.
Quietest floors
2nd and 3rd floors
🔊 Noise notes
Be prepared for potential street noise from Bole Road, as the hotel is situated on a busy street in Addis Ababa. The single lift and possible foot traffic near the main entrance on the first floor may also contribute to noise levels.
Insider tips
Take advantage of the free street parking, but be aware that it's limited. If you have a lot of luggage or prefer more secure parking, consider using the Bole Medhanealem Garage, 500m away, for 50 ETB per night. Login to the free Wi-Fi using your room number and surname, and enjoy standard-speed internet throughout the hotel.
- 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 — Condominium
Free standard-speed Wi-Fi throughout (approx. 10 Mbps); no paid upgrade available; login via room number and surname
Single lift serves all 4 guest floors; no stairs-only sections
No complimentary newspapers or digital newsstand; television in rooms with local satellite channels only
Standard check-in from 14:00; luggage drop available before check-in; late check-out until 13:00 for 50% of night rate, after 13:00 full night rate
Free short-term storage at reception for check-in day only; longer storage not offered
No step-free access; wheelchair entry not possible due to 3 steps at main entrance and narrow lift; no accessible rooms
Street parking only, free but limited; nearest public car park is Bole Medhanealem Garage, 500m away, 50 ETB per night; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full advance payment required at booking; no incidental hold mentioned, but a credit card imprint may be taken at check-in
5-Minute Radius Essentials
አቢሲንያ ባንክ - አለምገና ቅርንጫፍ — 347 m · ~4 min walk
Furi-Labu — 3.2 km · ~40 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Ethiopian Birr, ETB
Use banks or Dashen/Switch money-transfer offices in Bole area; avoid airport or hotel bureaux—rates are poor.
Larger hotels, supermarkets and some restaurants accept cards, but cash is king at street stalls, taxis and markets.
Not expected but appreciated: round up taxi fares, leave 10% in decent restaurants, small change for hotel staff.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A short espresso (buna) at a local coffee stall in Bole or around Piazza—5–10 birr.
A plate of injera with shiro or a tibs combo from a cafeteria—about 50–80 birr.
A main of kitfo or a fish dish at an ordinary restaurant—around 100–150 birr.
Bole area has roadside grilled corn and samosa stalls; the night food market near Piazza is cheap and lively.
Shola Supermarket and Friends Supermarket in Bole; also local minimarkets for basics.
Merkato for traditional and everyday wear (bargain hard); Bole’s Edna Mall for affordable chain fashion like Zara-level brands.
Blue minibus taxis (shared, fixed routes) from Bole to Piazza cost 5–10 birr; from airport take the same minibuses (Line 8) for 10 birr.
Eat at local cafeterias not hotels; use shared taxis not private ones; buy bottled water in bulk from supermarkets.
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 Condominium
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · አቢሲንያ ባንክ - አለምገና ቅርንጫፍ — 347 m · ~4 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 Condominium?
Request a room on a higher floor (3rd or 4th) for a quieter stay. The single lift serving all 4 guest floors can be a source of noise, but the higher you are, the less likely you'll be disturbed by the constant elevator traffic.
Which rooms should I avoid at Condominium?
Rooms on the first floor are likely to be noisier due to the main entrance and possible foot traffic. Additionally, rooms near the lift may experience more noise from the elevator's operation throughout the day.
Is Condominium noisy?
Be prepared for potential street noise from Bole Road, as the hotel is situated on a busy street in Addis Ababa. The single lift and possible foot traffic near the main entrance on the first floor may also contribute to noise levels.
Which rooms have the best views at Condominium?
Unfortunately, the hotel's address on Bole Road does not offer any notable views, given the surrounding urban context. However, rooms facing east or west may catch a glimpse of the surrounding cityscape.
What are insider tips for staying at Condominium?
Take advantage of the free street parking, but be aware that it's limited. If you have a lot of luggage or prefer more secure parking, consider using the Bole Medhanealem Garage, 500m away, for 50 ETB per night. Login to the free Wi-Fi using your room number and surname, and enjoy standard-speed internet throughout the hotel.
What time is check-in at Condominium?
Check-in at Condominium is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Condominium have Wi-Fi?
Free standard-speed Wi-Fi throughout (approx. 10 Mbps); no paid upgrade available; login via room number and surname
Is there a city or tourist tax at Condominium?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Condominium?
A plate of injera with shiro or a tibs combo from a cafeteria—about 50–80 birr.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Condominium?
Blue minibus taxis (shared, fixed routes) from Bole to Piazza cost 5–10 birr; from airport take the same minibuses (Line 8) for 10 birr.
When is the best time to visit Addis Ababa?
October and November offer warm, sunny days after the long rains, with fewer tourists than the peak season; December is crisp and clear for sightseeing.
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.