Your stay — Gofa Hotel
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The Property — Gofa Hotel
A confident mid-range choice in the Bole district, the Gofa Hotel delivers reliable comfort without pretence. Its lobby is clean and functional, with marble floors and a small seating area that feels more businesslike than boutique. It suits travellers who need solid facilities — a decent restaurant, reliable WiFi, a pool — and want to be close to the airport without paying airport-hotel rates.
Chronicles of Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa was founded in 1886 by Empress Taytu Betul, who was drawn to the hot springs at the base of Mount Entoto. The city grew rapidly under Emperor Menelik II, and its architecture combines Italian-colonial villas, Soviet-era blocks, and sleek modern towers like the AU headquarters. After the Derg regime fell in 1991, the city became a hub for the African Union and a growing economic gateway. Today it balances rapid construction with a distinct café culture, where traditional coffee ceremonies and specialty lattes coexist.
Best Time to Visit
Full Addis Ababa guide →Best months
October and November: the end of the long rains brings clear skies, green hills, and manageable tourist numbers; daytime highs around 24 °C. February and March are also excellent: sunny, dry, and warm but not baking.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are the peak for international visitors, despite being the main rainy season — heavy downpours are common. The Great Ethiopian Run in late November also fills hotels. Prices at mid-range hotels like Gofa can rise 20–30% during these months.
Budget shoulder season
June and September offer the best discounts. June is still wet but quieter; September sees the rains ease, with fewer tourists and lower room rates.
Weather & packing
Addis Ababa sits at 2,355 metres, so evenings and early mornings are cool even in July — bring a fleece or light jacket. Pack a waterproof jacket and quick-dry shoes for sudden downpours.
Live City Briefing — Addis Ababa
- The Addis Ababa light-rail extension to Ayat and Megenagna is progressing slowly; check real-time disruption alerts if using the network.
- Several new Ethiopian-inspired cocktail bars have opened on Bole Road, including Habesha 1920 and Yod Abyssinia, expanding the city's evening scene.
- The long rainy season (kiremt) is active in July, so expect afternoon showers and occasional street flooding near the hotel; plan indoor activities for late afternoon.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Gofa Hotel, 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) with a window facing the interior of the hotel. This will minimize the impact of street noise from Bole Road, which can be busy and noisy, especially during rush hour.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the ground floor, as they may be more prone to street noise and could be affected by service entrance or bar noise. Also, rooms near the lift may experience some noise from the lift's operation.
Best views
Unfortunately, the address does not provide clear information about the hotel's orientation, so it's difficult to determine the best view options. However, rooms on higher floors may offer a better view of the surrounding cityscape.
Quietest floors
4th floor and above
🔊 Noise notes
Street noise from Bole Road, potential noise from the service entrance and bar on lower floors
Insider tips
When checking in, request a room key card with a working lock, as some guests have reported issues with faulty locks. This ensures a smooth and secure stay. Take advantage of the hotel's 24-hour front desk to request extra towels, toiletries, or other amenities, as the staff is generally helpful and responsive.
- 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 — Gofa Hotel
Free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel, maximum 5 devices per room, no login constraints
Serves all floors, but some stairs-only access to historic sections
Complimentary digital newsstand, physical newspapers available in lobby
Check-in from 14:00, early bag-drop available from 08:00, late check-out until 18:00 for a fee of BET 500
Available for a fee of BET 100 per day, limited capacity, subject to availability
Step-free access to main entrance, wheelchair entries available, but some rooms have structural limitations
On-site parking available for a fee of BET 200 per night, nearest public car park at Bole Road Parking (BET 100 per night), no EV charging available
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: BET 20 per night per person
Deposit & card hold: Advance payment of 20% required at booking, incidental card hold of BET 1,000 at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Place of worship: መካነ ህያዋን ቅዱስ ገብርኤል ቤተ ክርስቲያን በ፲፱፻፶፭ ዓ.ም ተመሠረተ (728 m · ~9 min walk)
- Church: St.Gabriel Church (734 m · ~9 min walk)
- Mosque: Kera Mosque (1.1 km · ~14 min walk)
- Place of worship: ቤተፈጌ አለም አቀፍ ቤተ ክርስቲያን (1.4 km · ~17 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Sofia Mall — 109 m · ~1 min walk
Michael Tabot Maderiya — 1.6 km · ~21 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 1.8 km · ~23 min walk
Uni National Pharmacy — 6 m · ~1 min walk
Nifas Silk 2 — 1.9 km · ~24 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Ethiopian Birr, ETB
Travellers can exchange money at banks, currency exchange offices, or use ATMs. Be cautious of poor rates at airports or tourist bureaux.
Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in Addis Ababa, especially in major hotels, restaurants, and shops. Contactless payments and mobile payments like M-Pesa and Walia Pay are also gaining popularity.
Tipping is not mandatory but is appreciated for good service. Aim for 10-20 birr for a taxi ride, 5-10 birr for restaurant staff, and 20-50 birr for hotel staff.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A typical cheap coffee option is a 'jen' (strong coffee made from roasted coffee beans) from a local street vendor, costing around 5-10 birr.
A budget-friendly lunch option is injera (flatbread) with a variety of stews or salads from a local market or food stall, costing around 20-30 birr.
A typical affordable dinner option is a plate of tibs (stir-fried meat) or vegetable dishes from a local restaurant, costing around 50-70 birr.
Cheap eats can be found in areas like Merkato, Sidestreet, and around the Merkato Flea Market.
Common budget supermarket chains in this area include the government-owned Melka Jijena and the private-owned Kilinto Super Market.
Affordable high-street shopping can be found in the Merkato Flea Market or at local markets like the Sidestreet Market.
The cheapest way to get around is by using the city's public buses, which cost around 2-5 birr for a single ride. From the airport, the cheapest option is a taxi ride, which costs around 100-150 birr.
Avoid exchanging money at the airport or tourist bureaux, as rates are often poor.Use local currency for small transactions to avoid poor exchange rates.Buy snacks and drinks from local markets or street vendors instead of touristy areas.
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 Gofa Hotel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 1.8 km · ~23 min walk — pharmacy · Uni National Pharmacy — 6 m · ~1 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 Gofa Hotel?
Request a room on a higher floor (above the 3rd floor) with a window facing the interior of the hotel. This will minimize the impact of street noise from Bole Road, which can be busy and noisy, especially during rush hour.
Which rooms should I avoid at Gofa Hotel?
Avoid rooms on the ground floor, as they may be more prone to street noise and could be affected by service entrance or bar noise. Also, rooms near the lift may experience some noise from the lift's operation.
Is Gofa Hotel noisy?
Street noise from Bole Road, potential noise from the service entrance and bar on lower floors
Which rooms have the best views at Gofa Hotel?
Unfortunately, the address does not provide clear information about the hotel's orientation, so it's difficult to determine the best view options. However, rooms on higher floors may offer a better view of the surrounding cityscape.
What are insider tips for staying at Gofa Hotel?
When checking in, request a room key card with a working lock, as some guests have reported issues with faulty locks. This ensures a smooth and secure stay. Take advantage of the hotel's 24-hour front desk to request extra towels, toiletries, or other amenities, as the staff is generally helpful and responsive.
What time is check-in at Gofa Hotel?
Check-in at Gofa Hotel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Gofa Hotel have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel, maximum 5 devices per room, no login constraints
Is there a city or tourist tax at Gofa Hotel?
BET 20 per night per person
Where can I eat cheaply near Gofa Hotel?
A budget-friendly lunch option is injera (flatbread) with a variety of stews or salads from a local market or food stall, costing around 20-30 birr.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Gofa Hotel?
The cheapest way to get around is by using the city's public buses, which cost around 2-5 birr for a single ride. From the airport, the cheapest option is a taxi ride, which costs around 100-150 birr.
When is the best time to visit Addis Ababa?
October and November: the end of the long rains brings clear skies, green hills, and manageable tourist numbers; daytime highs around 24 °C. February and March are also excellent: sunny, dry, and warm but not baking.
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.