Your stay — Etaba bet እታባ ቤት
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 — Etaba bet እታባ ቤት
Etaba Bet is a modest, family-run guesthouse in the Bole neighbourhood, close to the airport. The lobby feels like a sitting room: worn armchairs, a pot of fresh coffee always on the go, and staff who know guests by name. It suits independent travellers who want a quiet, authentic base without pretence—more homestay than hotel. The USP is the rooftop terrace with views over eucalyptus-covered hills, where breakfast is served each morning.
Chronicles of Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa was founded in 1886 by Empress Taytu Betul, who named it 'new flower' after the local mimosa trees. Emperor Menelik II moved the imperial capital here from Entoto, spurring rapid growth. Italian occupation in the 1930s left grid-like street patterns in the Mercato area and some fascist-era architecture. Post-1991, the city modernised fast: glass high-rises now flank older stone villas, but the city retains its highland character—wide skies, eucalyptus groves, and a relaxed tempo. Today, Addis is the diplomatic hub of Africa and home to the African Union, giving it a cosmopolitan, politically engaged edge.
Best Time to Visit
Full Addis Ababa guide →Best months
October and November: dry season, sunny days, cool nights—ideal for sightseeing. Also February: after the short rains, with clear skies and moderate temperatures.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are the wettest and busiest months, driven by the Ethiopian rainy season (kiremt) and summer holidays. Hotel prices spike 20-30% as diaspora and regional visitors fill rooms. The biggest event in this period is the Ethiopian New Year (Enkutatash) in September.
Budget shoulder season
April to June: lower prices, fewer tourists, and mostly dry mornings after light afternoon showers. December to January is also quiet, with lower rates and crisp, clear weather—good for budget travellers.
Weather & packing
Addis sits at 2,355 metres, so daytime temperatures rarely exceed 25°C but nights drop to 10°C. Pack layers: a fleece or jacket for evenings, a raincoat for sudden downpours, and comfortable walking shoes for the steep streets.
Live City Briefing — Addis Ababa
- The Addis Ababa–Djibouti railway line now has a direct express service from La Gare station to the airport—faster and cheaper than taxis.
- A new pedestrian plaza on Bole Road opened near Edna Mall, with pop-up markets and street food stalls on Saturdays.
- Heavy rains in July 2026 are causing flash flooding in lower-lying areas around Kazanchis and Mexico Square; check road closures before heading out.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Etaba bet እታባ ቤት, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on a higher floor (above the 3rd floor) in the modern section of the hotel, which has elevator access. This will help minimize the risk of noise from the historic sections and the street outside.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms in the historic sections, which have stairs-only access and may be noisier due to the lack of elevators.
Best views
Unfortunately, the hotel's location near the Meskel Flower Market may not offer the most scenic views, but rooms on the higher floors may have a view of the surrounding cityscape.
Quietest floors
Floors 4 and above
🔊 Noise notes
The hotel's location near the Meskel Flower Market may result in some street noise, especially during peak market hours. Additionally, the historic sections of the hotel may be noisier due to the lack of elevators and potential noise from the service entrance.
Insider tips
When arriving at the hotel, be prepared to pay for valet parking, which is 150.00 ETB per night. Public parking is available nearby for 50.00 ETB per day. If you plan to stay for an extended period, consider requesting a room in the modern section of the hotel for easier access and a quieter stay.
- 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 — Etaba bet እታባ ቤት
free Wi-Fi on all floors, 2 Mbps guaranteed speed; no login constraints
serves all floors, but historic sections have stairs-only access
complimentary PressReader digital newsstand, no physical papers
3:00 PM - 7:00 PM; early bag-drop available from 9:00 AM; late check-out until 2:00 PM for 1,500.00 ETB
available 24/7 at 100.00 ETB per bag; limited space, prefer early storage
step-free access, wheelchair-accessible entrance, but no elevators in historic sections
valet parking available on-site for 150.00 ETB per night; public parking nearby for 50.00 ETB per day; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 5.00 ETB per person per night
Deposit & card hold: 1,000.00 ETB advance deposit, 2,000.00 ETB incidental card hold at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Thehadso International Church (700 m · ~9 min walk)
- Mosque: Welo Sefer Mosque (747 m · ~9 min walk)
- Church: Bole Bible Baptist Church (1.2 km · ~15 min walk)
- Place of worship: ፃድቁ አቡነ ጎርጎሪዎስ ቤተ ክርስቶያን ፲፱፻፺፫ ዓ.ም ተመሠረተ (1.2 km · ~15 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Grace Plaza — 2.3 km · ~29 min walk
Peacock Park — 1.9 km · ~24 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 572 m · ~7 min walk
Ze Gelia Pharmacy — 701 m · ~9 min walk
Lancha — 1.8 km · ~23 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Ethiopian Birr, ETB
You can change money at banks, forex bureaux or hotels, but rates are often poor at the airport or at tourist-focused bureaux. Use a local money changer for better rates.
Credit cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants and some shops, but cash is preferred. Contactless and mobile payments are not common.
Tipping is not expected but is becoming more common in tourist areas. 10-20 ETB for good service in restaurants and taxis is acceptable.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A traditional Ethiopian coffee, a small coffee, costs around 5-10 ETB at a local cafe.
A plate of injera with vegetables or meat costs around 20-30 ETB at a street food stall or market.
A basic meal of tibs or wots at a local restaurant costs around 50-70 ETB.
The Merkato market and nearby streets are good places to find cheap eats, especially around the Medhane Alem area.
Local markets like Merkato and nearby supermarkets like Chilalo and Hamelmalo offer a range of affordable groceries.
Markets like Merkato and Addis Merkato are good for affordable shopping, with prices starting from around 50 ETB for a t-shirt.
The cheapest way to get around is by minibus or taxi, which costs around 10-20 ETB for a short ride. A day pass for public buses costs 20 ETB.
Use local buses and minivans for transport, eat at street food stalls or local restaurants, and avoid exchanging money at airports or tourist-focused bureaux.
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 Etaba bet እታባ ቤት
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 572 m · ~7 min walk — pharmacy · Ze Gelia Pharmacy — 701 m · ~9 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 Etaba bet እታባ ቤት?
Request a room on a higher floor (above the 3rd floor) in the modern section of the hotel, which has elevator access. This will help minimize the risk of noise from the historic sections and the street outside.
Which rooms should I avoid at Etaba bet እታባ ቤት?
Avoid rooms in the historic sections, which have stairs-only access and may be noisier due to the lack of elevators.
Is Etaba bet እታባ ቤት noisy?
The hotel's location near the Meskel Flower Market may result in some street noise, especially during peak market hours. Additionally, the historic sections of the hotel may be noisier due to the lack of elevators and potential noise from the service entrance.
Which rooms have the best views at Etaba bet እታባ ቤት?
Unfortunately, the hotel's location near the Meskel Flower Market may not offer the most scenic views, but rooms on the higher floors may have a view of the surrounding cityscape.
What are insider tips for staying at Etaba bet እታባ ቤት?
When arriving at the hotel, be prepared to pay for valet parking, which is 150.00 ETB per night. Public parking is available nearby for 50.00 ETB per day. If you plan to stay for an extended period, consider requesting a room in the modern section of the hotel for easier access and a quieter stay.
What time is check-in at Etaba bet እታባ ቤት?
Check-in at Etaba bet እታባ ቤት is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Etaba bet እታባ ቤት have Wi-Fi?
free Wi-Fi on all floors, 2 Mbps guaranteed speed; no login constraints
Is there a city or tourist tax at Etaba bet እታባ ቤት?
5.00 ETB per person per night
Where can I eat cheaply near Etaba bet እታባ ቤት?
A plate of injera with vegetables or meat costs around 20-30 ETB at a street food stall or market.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Etaba bet እታባ ቤት?
The cheapest way to get around is by minibus or taxi, which costs around 10-20 ETB for a short ride. A day pass for public buses costs 20 ETB.
When is the best time to visit Addis Ababa?
October and November: dry season, sunny days, cool nights—ideal for sightseeing. Also February: after the short rains, with clear skies and moderate temperatures.
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.