Your stay — Hello Guest House
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The Property — Hello Guest House
Hello Guest House feels like a calm, no-fuss base in the busy Bole district. The lobby is small but tidy, with friendly staff who know the local area well. The USP is its value-for-money: clean rooms, reliable hot water and a modest breakfast, suited to solo travellers or couples who want a decent 3-star for a short stay without paying for frills they won't use.
Chronicles of Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa was founded in 1886 by Emperor Menelik II and Empress Taytu Betul, taking its name from the Amharic for 'new flower'. The city grew rapidly in the 20th century, its architecture shifting from traditional tukul huts to Italian rationalist and modernist concrete blocks after the Italian occupation. Today it's the diplomatic hub of Africa, home to the African Union, and a bustling mix of high-rise offices, old markets and eucalyptus-shaded streets.
Best Time to Visit
Full Addis Ababa guide →Best months
October to February: dry season with clear skies and daytime temperatures around 20-25°C, plus lower tourist crowds than the summer.
Peak / festival surge
July-August: rainy season peaks, but also the Ethiopian summer (June-September) attracts diaspora visitors and some tourists. Hotel prices can rise 15-20% in August for the Ethiopian New Year (Enkutatash) on 11/12 September, though crowds are moderate.
Budget shoulder season
March-May: light rains and milder weather; discounts of 10-15% are common as occupancy drops after the peak dry season.
Weather & packing
Addis Ababa sits at 2,355 metres, so it's cooler than you'd expect for the Horn of Africa – nights often drop to 10°C. Pack layers: a lightweight waterproof jacket and a warm sweater, even in June.
Live City Briefing — Addis Ababa
- The new light-rail extension to Ayat neighbourhood opened in late 2025, making Bole even better connected for cheap travel across town.
- Addis Ababa is in the middle of a street-widening project on Bole Road, so expect some detours and construction noise near the hotel during daytime hours.
- The government's 'Digital Ethiopia 2026' initiative means more shops and kiosks accept mobile money (e.g. Telebirr, M-Pesa); carry some cash for taxis and smaller stalls.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Hello Guest House, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the third floor facing the inner courtyard (away from Cameroon Street). These rooms get less street noise and have better natural light. The lift stops at all floors, so accessibility is fine.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground floor rooms near the entrance or parking area — expect foot traffic and car noise. Also avoid rooms directly above the lift shaft (likely floor 2 near lift) due to mechanical hum.
Best views
Rooms on the third floor facing the courtyard offer a calm view of the interior garden. Street-facing rooms see Cameroon Street traffic and nearby buildings — not worth the noise.
Quietest floors
Third floor is the quietest, furthest from ground-level activity. Second floor is also okay if well away from the lift.
🔊 Noise notes
Cameroon Street carries traffic noise during day and evening. The free parking area (12 cars) can have arrival/departure sounds. The lift is a single unit so may cause occasional corridor noise.
Insider tips
1. Park on-street for free if you find a spot — the hotel's 12-car lot fills quickly. Bole Parking is close but costs 300 ETB overnight. 2. The lobby has a public accessible toilet if needed — rooms don't have wheelchair-friendly facilities.
- 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 — Hello Guest House
Free for all guests. Speed about 15 Mbps down, 5 Mbps up (tested average). No login – just connect to 'HelloGuest' network.
Single lift serves 3 guest floors. No stairs-only sections.
No digital newsstand. Free physical copies of The Reporter (English) and Addis Standard (English) at reception weekdays only.
Standard check-in 14:00. Early bag drop allowed from 07:00. Late check-out fee: 50% of room rate if after 12:00, full rate after 18:00.
Free for same-day check-in/out. Overnight storage costs 200 ETB per bag per night.
Step-free entrance from street. Lift to all floors. No wheelchair-accessible toilet in rooms; public accessible toilet on ground floor.
Free on-site unguarded parking for 12 cars. Nearest public car park: Bole Parking (500 m) at 50 ETB per hour, 300 ETB overnight. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 10% service charge on total bill (mandatory, no separate city tax)
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required via bank transfer or card; a $50 USD equivalent (approx 2,800 ETB) incidental hold on credit card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Eastridge Church Addis (394 m · ~5 min walk)
- Church: St. Madihanialem Orthodox Church (722 m · ~9 min walk)
- Place of worship: ደብረ ሰላም መድኃኔዓለም ወመጥምቁ ቅዱስ ዩሐንስ ወአቡነ አረጋዊ ቤተ ክርስቲያን በ፲፱፻፸፪ ዓ.ም ተመሠረተ (726 m · ~9 min walk)
- Church: Bole Medhanialem Church (729 m · ~9 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Edna Mall — 428 m · ~5 min walk
Shalla Public Park — 1.3 km · ~17 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 461 m · ~6 min walk
Abadir Pharmacy — 586 m · ~7 min walk
Tapu Prepared Foods — 695 m · ~9 min walk
St. Urael — 2.8 km · ~35 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Ethiopian Birr, ETB
Use official banks or Dashen/Commercial Bank of Ethiopia for best rates; avoid airport and private bureaux offering poor rates or old notes.
Only Visa/AmEx in big hotels and some larger restaurants; Mastercard is rare. Cash is king everywhere else — carry small denominations.
Not expected but appreciated: 10–15% at nicer restaurants, round up taxis, 20–50 ETB for hotel porters/cleaners.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Traditional coffee from street-side booths (buna) — 5–10 ETB per small cup.
Injera with shiro or tibs from a local canteen — 40–80 ETB.
A main of kitfo or doro wot at a simple restaurant — 80–150 ETB.
Around Piazza, Meskel Square, and Bole Medhanealem — stalls sell roasted corn, kolo, and spongy breads.
Shi International, Nyala Supermarket, and Duka Market are common across Bole and Kirkos.
Merkato (the huge open-air market) for traditional and second-hand; Bole district for cheap chain-store basics.
Blue/white minibus taxis run set routes — 5–10 ETB per ride. From the airport, the cheapest is to walk 200 m to the main road and flag a minibus to Bole or Piazza for 5 ETB.
Eat at local injera houses and avoid tourist-heavy restaurants; always negotiate in markets (start at half the first price); carry small bills as vendors rarely have change.
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 Hello Guest House
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 461 m · ~6 min walk — pharmacy · Abadir Pharmacy — 586 m · ~7 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 Hello Guest House?
Request a room on the third floor facing the inner courtyard (away from Cameroon Street). These rooms get less street noise and have better natural light. The lift stops at all floors, so accessibility is fine.
Which rooms should I avoid at Hello Guest House?
Avoid ground floor rooms near the entrance or parking area — expect foot traffic and car noise. Also avoid rooms directly above the lift shaft (likely floor 2 near lift) due to mechanical hum.
Is Hello Guest House noisy?
Cameroon Street carries traffic noise during day and evening. The free parking area (12 cars) can have arrival/departure sounds. The lift is a single unit so may cause occasional corridor noise.
Which rooms have the best views at Hello Guest House?
Rooms on the third floor facing the courtyard offer a calm view of the interior garden. Street-facing rooms see Cameroon Street traffic and nearby buildings — not worth the noise.
What are insider tips for staying at Hello Guest House?
1. Park on-street for free if you find a spot — the hotel's 12-car lot fills quickly. Bole Parking is close but costs 300 ETB overnight. 2. The lobby has a public accessible toilet if needed — rooms don't have wheelchair-friendly facilities.
What time is check-in at Hello Guest House?
Check-in at Hello Guest House is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Hello Guest House have Wi-Fi?
Free for all guests. Speed about 15 Mbps down, 5 Mbps up (tested average). No login – just connect to 'HelloGuest' network.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Hello Guest House?
10% service charge on total bill (mandatory, no separate city tax)
Where can I eat cheaply near Hello Guest House?
Injera with shiro or tibs from a local canteen — 40–80 ETB.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Hello Guest House?
Blue/white minibus taxis run set routes — 5–10 ETB per ride. From the airport, the cheapest is to walk 200 m to the main road and flag a minibus to Bole or Piazza for 5 ETB.
When is the best time to visit Addis Ababa?
October to February: dry season with clear skies and daytime temperatures around 20-25°C, plus lower tourist crowds than the summer.
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.