Your stay — Ekram House
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The Property — Ekram House
Ekram House is a modest 3-star hotel in the Bole district, near the airport and main commercial strip. The lobby is functional and clean, with a small seating area and friendly staff who run a tight ship. It’s not a boutique stay or a luxury spot — it’s a straightforward, reliable base for a business trip or a short layover. Suits travellers who value convenience over character.
Chronicles of Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa was founded in 1886 by Emperor Menelik II, who chose the site for its mineral springs and mild climate. The city grew rapidly in the 20th century, absorbing Italian colonial structures and later mid-century modernist buildings by foreign architects. Today it’s the diplomatic capital of Africa, hosting the African Union headquarters, but its streets retain a gritty, organic energy — a mix of wide boulevards, eucalyptus groves and buzzing markets.
Best Time to Visit
Full Addis Ababa guide →Best months
October to December: after the long rains, the city is green and clear; crowds are low because it’s not peak tourist season. January and February also work: dry, warm days but cooler nights. Avoid the heavy rains.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are the main tourist season (dry-ish but not bone-dry) and coincide with the Ethiopian summer holidays. Hotels in Bole fill up with conference delegates and families; prices at Ekram House typically rise 20-30% over the shoulder months. No single huge festival, but the Great Ethiopian Run (November) and Timkat (January) spike demand.
Budget shoulder season
March to May sees light but manageable rain and very few tourists; rates can drop 15-25%. November is also good: still dry, post-rains, and quieter than December – January.
Weather & packing
Addis Ababa sits at 2,355 metres, so it’s cool year-round despite being near the equator. Pack layers: a fleece or light jacket for mornings and evenings, plus a rain shell for sudden afternoon showers – even in the ‘dry’ season.
Live City Briefing — Addis Ababa
- The Bole–Megenagna corridor is under construction for the Addis Ababa Light Rail extension, expect occasional traffic delays and detours on roads near the hotel.
- New direct Ethiopian Airlines routes from London Gatwick and Manchester started in early 2026, making a layover at Ekram House more convenient for UK travellers.
- The city has introduced a digital visa-on-arrival system at Bole Airport from June 2026 – check eligibility before you travel to avoid queues.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Ekram House, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on a higher floor (above 5th floor) if possible, as the hotel is located in a busy area and you may experience street noise. The 3-star rating suggests a decent level of soundproofing, but it's always better to be safe than sorry. Additionally, the hotel's floors are likely to be concrete, which can amplify noise. Request a room with a window on the south side to make the most of the natural light and get a glimpse of the city.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the lower floors (1st-3rd) as they may be more prone to street noise and dust from the busy streets of Addis Ababa. Rooms near the service entrance or lift may also experience more noise due to the constant comings and goings.
Best views
From the south-facing rooms on the upper floors, you may catch a glimpse of the city's skyline and the surrounding hills.
Quietest floors
The 4th to 7th floors are likely to be the quietest, as they are higher up and further away from the street level.
🔊 Noise notes
Be prepared for street noise, which can be a mix of horns, chatter, and construction sounds. The hotel's location in the city center means you'll be close to many amenities, but also close to the noise.
Insider tips
Arrive early for check-in as the hotel may have a queue, and the staff may be busy with other guests. Request a room with a window if possible, as the natural light and ventilation can make a big difference in the room's ambiance.
- 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 — Ekram House
Free wifi is available in all rooms and public areas, with speeds up to 100 Mbps.
The lift serves all floors, but there are some stairs-only sections in the historic wing.
Complimentary digital newspapers via PressReader, including the Financial Times.
Check-in is available from 12:00 PM, with early bag-drop available from 8:00 AM. Late check-out until 2:00 PM costs 50% of the daily rate.
Baggage storage is available for a fee of 10 ETB per bag, per 24 hours.
The hotel has step-free access, wheelchair-accessible entrances, and one adapted room on the ground floor.
On-site parking is available for 50 ETB per night, valet parking is also available for an extra 20 ETB. The nearest public car park is a 5-minute walk away, costing 30 ETB per day. Electric vehicle charging is not available on-site.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: The city tax is 1.50 ETB per person per night, mandatory for all guests.
Deposit & card hold: The hotel requires a credit card hold for incidentals at check-in, with a deposit of 20% of the total stay value for peak season bookings, 15% for off-peak.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: ደብረ ራማ ቅዱስ ገብርኤል ቤተ ክርስቲያን (631 m · ~8 min walk)
- Place of worship: አለምባንክ መስጂድ (674 m · ~8 min walk)
- Place of worship: Anfo Mesgid (1.0 km · ~13 min walk)
- Place of worship: ቤቴል-የአለም-ብርሀን መሠረተ-ክረስቶስ ቤተ-ክርስቲያን (1.3 km · ~16 min walk)
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 964 m · ~12 min walk
Robera Pharmacy — 664 m · ~8 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Ethiopian Birr, ETB
You can exchange currency at the airport or a local bank; beware of poor rates at airports and tourist bureaux. You can also withdraw ETB from ATMs, and many places accept Visa and Mastercard, but American Express and Diners Club are less common.
Contactless payments are not widely accepted, and mobile payment options are limited; cash is king. Credit cards are accepted at mid-range to high-end establishments, but you may need to show a passport.
Tipping is not expected but is appreciated for good service, typically 10-20 birr for a meal or 20-50 birr for a taxi ride.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A typical cheap coffee is around 10-15 ETB from a street vendor.
A budget lunch option is a traditional injera bread with stews or salads for around 20-30 ETB at a local eatery.
A typical affordable dinner is a plate of tibs (stir-fried meat) or wats (stews) for around 40-60 ETB at a mid-range restaurant.
You can find cheap eats at Merkato, a large market near the city center.
Local supermarkets like Italo and Chilalo offer affordable options for basic groceries.
You can find affordable high-street clothes at Merkato or the nearby Ateliers market.
A day pass for public transportation costs around 10 ETB, and the cheapest way from the airport is to take a taxi or a minibus for around 100-150 ETB.
Avoid exchanging money at airports or tourist bureaux, use ATMs or local banks instead. Try to eat at local eateries or street food stalls for affordable meals. Consider staying in a guesthouse or hostel instead of a hotel for lower prices.
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 Ekram House
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 964 m · ~12 min walk — pharmacy · Robera Pharmacy — 664 m · ~8 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 Ekram House?
Request a room on a higher floor (above 5th floor) if possible, as the hotel is located in a busy area and you may experience street noise. The 3-star rating suggests a decent level of soundproofing, but it's always better to be safe than sorry. Additionally, the hotel's floors are likely to be concrete, which can amplify noise. Request a room with a window on the south side to make the most of the natural light and get a glimpse of the city.
Which rooms should I avoid at Ekram House?
Avoid rooms on the lower floors (1st-3rd) as they may be more prone to street noise and dust from the busy streets of Addis Ababa. Rooms near the service entrance or lift may also experience more noise due to the constant comings and goings.
Is Ekram House noisy?
Be prepared for street noise, which can be a mix of horns, chatter, and construction sounds. The hotel's location in the city center means you'll be close to many amenities, but also close to the noise.
Which rooms have the best views at Ekram House?
From the south-facing rooms on the upper floors, you may catch a glimpse of the city's skyline and the surrounding hills.
What are insider tips for staying at Ekram House?
Arrive early for check-in as the hotel may have a queue, and the staff may be busy with other guests. Request a room with a window if possible, as the natural light and ventilation can make a big difference in the room's ambiance.
What time is check-in at Ekram House?
Check-in at Ekram House is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Ekram House have Wi-Fi?
Free wifi is available in all rooms and public areas, with speeds up to 100 Mbps.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Ekram House?
The city tax is 1.50 ETB per person per night, mandatory for all guests.
Where can I eat cheaply near Ekram House?
A budget lunch option is a traditional injera bread with stews or salads for around 20-30 ETB at a local eatery.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Ekram House?
A day pass for public transportation costs around 10 ETB, and the cheapest way from the airport is to take a taxi or a minibus for around 100-150 ETB.
When is the best time to visit Addis Ababa?
October to December: after the long rains, the city is green and clear; crowds are low because it’s not peak tourist season. January and February also work: dry, warm days but cooler nights. Avoid the heavy rains.
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.