Your stay — Fraol Hotel
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 — Fraol Hotel
Fraol Hotel is a modest 3-star in Bole, Addis Ababa’s commercial hub, offering clean rooms and a reliable 24-hour airport shuttle — not stylish, but practical. The lobby feels like a functional transit lounge: tiled floors, a reception desk with a computer, and waiting area chairs. It suits a solo traveller or business visitor needing a convenient overnight near Bole International Airport, not a leisure stay.
Chronicles of Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa was founded in 1886 by Emperor Menelik II, who was drawn to the hot springs at the base of Mount Entoto. Unlike most Ethiopian capitals, it grew as a sprawling, unplanned city of eucalyptus groves and mud houses, later layered with Italian modernist villas from the 1936–41 occupation. After the Derg regime fell in 1991, it boomed with Chinese-built high-rises and shopping malls, becoming the diplomatic heart of Africa (home to the African Union). Today its identity swings between traditional injera eateries and coffee ceremonies, and a fast-gentrifying skyline of glass towers and traffic jams.
Best Time to Visit
Full Addis Ababa guide →Best months
October, November, December — dry season, clear skies, mild days (20-24°C), and no major festivals clashing with crowds.
Peak / festival surge
September (Ethiopian New Year, Enkutatash, 11-12 September) and January (Timkat, Ethiopian Epiphany, 19 January). Hotels double in price; Bole quarters sell out fast for Timkat’s processions.
Budget shoulder season
March to May — light rains start, but not heavy; hotel discounts of 20-30% versus peak, and fewer tourists. June’s long rains make it quieter but still workable.
Weather & packing
Addis sits at 2,355m: days can be sunny and 25°C, then drop to 10°C by evening. Wear layers — pack a fleece or light jacket for morning and night, even in summer.
Live City Briefing — Addis Ababa
- Bole Road’s new flyover and pedestrian bridge opened February 2026, easing congestion near the hotel but still dig around Mexico Square junction.
- Ethiopian Airlines launched direct flights to Gatwick in March 2026, increasing transfer passenger volume at Bole — expect busier lobby at peak times.
- Short rains (belg) in July mean possible afternoon showers; check your flight schedule: fog occasionally delays morning departures.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Fraol Hotel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor facing away from the main road. These floors are high enough to minimise street noise but low enough for reliable water pressure and quick lift access.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the lobby or breakfast area – they can be noisy with foot traffic and kitchen sounds. Also avoid rooms directly above the hotel bar if one exists, as music or chatter may carry late.
Best views
Rooms at the rear of the hotel offer a calmer view over local neighbourhoods, possibly with a glimpse of the Entoto Mountains on clear days. Front-facing rooms see city streets and local life.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4 are generally quietest, as they're above ground-level bustle but below any rooftop activities.
🔊 Noise notes
Addis Ababa has constant traffic noise (horns, tuk-tuks, minibuses), especially during weekday rush hours (7-9am, 4-7pm). Early morning calls to prayer from nearby mosques may also be audible. The bar or restaurant (if open) can generate evening noise.
Insider tips
Ask for a top-floor room if you want better water pressure – many older 3-star hotels in Addis have weak flow on lower floors. Arrive early to request a room away from the lift shaft, as lifts can be noisy at all hours.
- 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 — Fraol Hotel
free for all guests; speeds up to 15 Mbps; requires room number and surname login
single lift serves all 4 floors; no stairs-only sections
no physical newspapers; free digital access to The Reporter Ethiopia via lobby tablet
check-in from 14:00; early bag drop allowed from 10:00 (no fee); late check-out until 16:00 costs 50% of nightly rate (subject to availability)
free for guests; non-guests 50 ETB per bag per day
step-free entry via side ramp; lift to all floors; no wheelchair-accessible bathrooms
free on-site parking for 12 cars (first-come, first-served); nearest public car park at Bole Medhanialem Church (200 ETB per night, 5-min walk); no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: full prepayment required for online bookings; 1000 ETB incidentals hold at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Place of worship: ፀዴንያ ስመኝ ማሪያም ገዳም (541 m · ~7 min walk)
- Mosque: ከታ መስጊድ (1.5 km · ~19 min walk)
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Ethiopian Birr, ETB
Use bank ATMs for the best rates; avoid airport or tourist bureau exchanges which give poor rates.
Visa and Mastercard accepted in upscale hotels and larger supermarkets; small shops and taxis are cash-only. Contactless payments are rare.
10% is standard in nicer restaurants; round up for taxis; tip hotel staff 50–100 Birr.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A macchiato from a local kiosk or street-side coffee stall: 15–20 Birr.
Injera with shiro or tibs from a local cafeteria: 100–150 Birr.
A main of grilled goat or fish with bread at a neighbourhood eatery: 150–200 Birr.
Bole Medhanialem area has evening street stalls for sambusa and roasted corn; also try the night market near Mexico Square.
Supermarkets like Safeway or NY Fresh are common in Bole area.
Bole Medhanialem and the Merkato district for affordable second-hand and new clothes.
Local minibuses (blue-and-white) cost 5–10 Birr per ride; from Bole Airport, the airport shuttle bus to the city centre is 50 Birr.
Eat at neighbourhood cafeterias rather than hotels; use minibuses instead of taxis; buy bottled water from supermarkets not street stalls.
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 Fraol Hotel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 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 Fraol Hotel?
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor facing away from the main road. These floors are high enough to minimise street noise but low enough for reliable water pressure and quick lift access.
Which rooms should I avoid at Fraol Hotel?
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the lobby or breakfast area – they can be noisy with foot traffic and kitchen sounds. Also avoid rooms directly above the hotel bar if one exists, as music or chatter may carry late.
Is Fraol Hotel noisy?
Addis Ababa has constant traffic noise (horns, tuk-tuks, minibuses), especially during weekday rush hours (7-9am, 4-7pm). Early morning calls to prayer from nearby mosques may also be audible. The bar or restaurant (if open) can generate evening noise.
Which rooms have the best views at Fraol Hotel?
Rooms at the rear of the hotel offer a calmer view over local neighbourhoods, possibly with a glimpse of the Entoto Mountains on clear days. Front-facing rooms see city streets and local life.
What are insider tips for staying at Fraol Hotel?
Ask for a top-floor room if you want better water pressure – many older 3-star hotels in Addis have weak flow on lower floors. Arrive early to request a room away from the lift shaft, as lifts can be noisy at all hours.
What time is check-in at Fraol Hotel?
Check-in at Fraol Hotel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Fraol Hotel have Wi-Fi?
free for all guests; speeds up to 15 Mbps; requires room number and surname login
Is there a city or tourist tax at Fraol Hotel?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Fraol Hotel?
Injera with shiro or tibs from a local cafeteria: 100–150 Birr.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Fraol Hotel?
Local minibuses (blue-and-white) cost 5–10 Birr per ride; from Bole Airport, the airport shuttle bus to the city centre is 50 Birr.
When is the best time to visit Addis Ababa?
October, November, December — dry season, clear skies, mild days (20-24°C), and no major festivals clashing with crowds.
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.