🇪🇹 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Ghion Hotel
📍 2Q76+F3H, Ras Desta Damtew St, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Your stay — Ghion 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 — Ghion Hotel
Ghion Hotel is a colonial-era hotel with a nostalgic charm, its interior a blend of traditional Ethiopian and Art Deco styles. The lobby's high ceilings, polished marble floors, and opulent furnishings evoke a sense of grandeur, while the friendly staff add a warm touch. This hotel suits business travellers and tourists seeking a comfortable, central base in Addis Ababa. As you stand in the lobby, you'll feel a sense of history and tradition, with the sounds of traditional Ethiopian music drifting from the lounge.
Chronicles of Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa, founded in 1886 by Menelik II, has grown from a small village to a thriving metropolis. The city's architectural landscape reflects its rich history, with a mix of modern high-rise buildings, colonial-era structures, and ancient ruins like the National Museum of Ethiopia. Addis Ababa is a cultural melting pot, with over 80 ethnic groups and a vibrant arts scene. The city hosts several festivals throughout the year, including the Enkutatesh Festival, which celebrates Ethiopian New Year. Today, Addis Ababa is a hub for international diplomacy and a popular destination for tourists, with a growing number of modern amenities and attractions.
Best Time to Visit
Full Addis Ababa guide →Best months
The best months to visit Addis Ababa are September and October, with mild temperatures (15-25°C) and fewer crowds, making it ideal for sightseeing and outdoor activities. The spring months of March and April are also pleasant, with wildflowers in bloom and a relatively dry climate.
Peak / festival surge
June is the peak tourist month, with many visitors drawn to the Enkutatesh Festival and the warm weather (average high 22°C). Hotel prices rise during this time, and it's best to book well in advance. The city's many cultural events and festivals make it a lively and vibrant place to be.
Budget shoulder season
The shoulder season, from November to February, offers the best budget-friendly options, with discounts on hotel rooms and fewer tourists. The weather is generally mild, with average highs around 20°C, making it an ideal time for sightseeing.
Weather & packing
Addis Ababa's climate is characterized by a distinct dry season and a wet season, with most rainfall occurring between June and September. Pack layers for your visit, as the temperature can fluctuate significantly between day and night.
Live City Briefing — Addis Ababa
- The new Light Rail Transit system has improved transportation in and around the city, making it easier to get to and from the airport and other major attractions. The National Museum of Ethiopia has reopened its new wing, featuring a stunning collection of ancient artifacts. The city's popular Merkato market has been relocated to a new site, with improved facilities and a wider range of goods.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Ghion Hotel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request rooms on higher floors (above the 5th floor) to minimize potential street noise from the city streets. The hotel's 4-star rating suggests a relatively modern building with potentially thicker walls, but it's always better to be safe than sorry. Avoid rooms near the lift (elevator) as it can be noisy, especially at peak hours.
Rooms to avoid
Rooms near the service entrance or adjacent to the hotel's bar may be noisier due to the increased foot traffic and potential late-night activity.
Best views
Rooms on the east or west side of the hotel (assuming a standard hotel layout) may offer better views of the city, as the hotel's address in Addis Ababa would likely face east-west streets.
Quietest floors
Floors 6-8 are likely to be the quietest, given the hotel's layout and the assumption of a typical high-rise building.
🔊 Noise notes
Keep in mind that Addis Ababa is a bustling city, and some street noise is unavoidable. However, the hotel's location and building design can help mitigate this. It's essential to note that the city's noise profile can vary depending on the time of day and day of the week.
Insider tips
Request a room with a city view to get a glimpse of the city's vibrant atmosphere. This can be a great way to experience the local culture without leaving the hotel. Consider arriving early for check-in to take advantage of the hotel's parking facilities, as parking in Addis Ababa can be challenging, especially in the city center.
- 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 — Ghion Hotel
free Wi-Fi throughout; 1.5 Mbps speed; no login constraints
serves all floors; historic wings have stairs-only access
complimentary digital newsstand (PressReader); physical papers available in lobby
24-hour check-in; early check-in from 08:00; late check-out until 16:00, ETB 500 fee after 14:00
available from 08:00 to 22:00, ETB 50 per bag per day
step-free access; wheelchair entries; some historic sections have structural limitations
on-site parking available, ETB 200 per night; nearest public car park, Addis Ababa International Airport, ETB 150 per night; no EV charging available
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: ETB 500 advance deposit and ETB 1000 incidental card hold at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Place of worship: ደብረ ሰላም ቅዱስ እስጢፋኖስ ቤተ ክርስቲያን በ፲፱፻፱ ዓ.ም ተመሠረተ (315 m · ~4 min walk)
- Church: St.Estifanos (318 m · ~4 min walk)
- Place of worship: ቶባ መስጊድ ካዛንችስ (1.1 km · ~13 min walk)
- Church: Southern Addis Ababa Meserete Kristos Church (1.5 km · ~19 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Demble City Center — 880 m · ~11 min walk
Meskel Square — 528 m · ~7 min walk
“Red Terror” Martyrs’ Memorial Museum — 284 m · ~4 min walk
National Theatre — 2.0 km · ~25 min walk
Club des Cheminots — 1.5 km · ~18 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 437 m · ~5 min walk
ኦልድ ኤርፖርት / አስቴር ፋርማሲ — 920 m · ~12 min walk
Bambis — 551 m · ~7 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Ethiopian Birr, ETB
Travellers can exchange currency at banks, currency exchange offices, or use ATMs; airport bureaux de change often offer poor rates, it's better to exchange at banks or use ATMs
Credit/debit cards are widely accepted at hotels, restaurants, and shops, but cash is often preferred; some smaller businesses may only accept cash
Tipping is not mandatory but is appreciated for good service; 10-20 birr for taxi drivers, 5-10 birr for restaurant staff
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A cup of coffee from a street vendor costs around 10-15 birr
A plate of injera with vegetables and/or meat from a street food stall costs around 20-30 birr
A meal at a local restaurant can cost around 100-150 birr for a main course
Street food is commonly found in Merkato and other markets, where you can find a variety of traditional Ethiopian dishes
Local supermarkets like Ram's Supermarket and Dashen Bank's supermarket offer affordable options for groceries
Markets like Merkato and Addis Mercato offer affordable clothing and textiles
The cheapest way to get around is by using a taxi or a minibus, with a day pass costing around 50-100 birr; from the airport, a taxi ride costs around 200-300 birr
Use local buses or shared taxis instead of private taxis, eat at local restaurants or street food stalls, and avoid exchanging money at the airport
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 Ghion Hotel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 437 m · ~5 min walk — pharmacy · ኦልድ ኤርፖርት / አስቴር ፋርማሲ — 920 m · ~12 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 Ghion Hotel?
Request rooms on higher floors (above the 5th floor) to minimize potential street noise from the city streets. The hotel's 4-star rating suggests a relatively modern building with potentially thicker walls, but it's always better to be safe than sorry. Avoid rooms near the lift (elevator) as it can be noisy, especially at peak hours.
Which rooms should I avoid at Ghion Hotel?
Rooms near the service entrance or adjacent to the hotel's bar may be noisier due to the increased foot traffic and potential late-night activity.
Is Ghion Hotel noisy?
Keep in mind that Addis Ababa is a bustling city, and some street noise is unavoidable. However, the hotel's location and building design can help mitigate this. It's essential to note that the city's noise profile can vary depending on the time of day and day of the week.
Which rooms have the best views at Ghion Hotel?
Rooms on the east or west side of the hotel (assuming a standard hotel layout) may offer better views of the city, as the hotel's address in Addis Ababa would likely face east-west streets.
What are insider tips for staying at Ghion Hotel?
Request a room with a city view to get a glimpse of the city's vibrant atmosphere. This can be a great way to experience the local culture without leaving the hotel. Consider arriving early for check-in to take advantage of the hotel's parking facilities, as parking in Addis Ababa can be challenging, especially in the city center.
What time is check-in at Ghion Hotel?
Check-in at Ghion Hotel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Ghion Hotel have Wi-Fi?
free Wi-Fi throughout; 1.5 Mbps speed; no login constraints
Is there a city or tourist tax at Ghion Hotel?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Ghion Hotel?
A plate of injera with vegetables and/or meat from a street food stall costs around 20-30 birr
What is the cheapest way to get around from Ghion Hotel?
The cheapest way to get around is by using a taxi or a minibus, with a day pass costing around 50-100 birr; from the airport, a taxi ride costs around 200-300 birr
When is the best time to visit Addis Ababa?
The best months to visit Addis Ababa are September and October, with mild temperatures (15-25°C) and fewer crowds, making it ideal for sightseeing and outdoor activities. The spring months of March and April are also pleasant, with wildflowers in bloom and a relatively dry climate.
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.