Your stay — Holyday Hotel
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The Property — Holyday Hotel
The Holyday Hotel is a functional three-star in Bole, Addis Ababa's diplomatic and commercial hub. The lobby feels like a quiet airport lounge — polished tile floors, a few leather sofas, and a reception desk where staff speak good English and handle check-in efficiently. It suits travellers who need a reliable base near the airport or UN/Economic Commission for Africa meetings, not a place with character or nightlife. The USP is location: a ten-minute drive from Bole International Airport and a five-minute walk to the Edna Mall area, with a decent buffet breakfast included.
Chronicles of Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa was founded in 1886 by Emperor Menelik II and his wife Empress Taytu Betul, who chose the highland hot springs as a new capital. The city expanded rapidly after the Italian occupation (1936–41), which left a legacy of rationalist architecture in the central Piazza district. Since the 1990s, high-rise condos and Chinese-built expressways have reshaped the skyline, while the historic Mercato remains Africa's largest open-air market. Today Addis is the political capital of the African Union, giving it a diplomatic, pan-African character that mixes old Orthodox churches with shiny glass banks.
Best Time to Visit
Full Addis Ababa guide →Best months
November and December — clear skies after the long rains, mild temperatures (15-24°C), low humidity, and fewer international delegates, so airport traffic is lighter.
Peak / festival surge
June and July are the peak for conferences at the African Union headquarters. Hotels near Bole often sell out or double rates. The Ethiopian Orthodox festival of Meskel (late September) also spikes demand.
Budget shoulder season
March and October are the cheapest, with light crowds and moderate rainfall. Rooms at Holyday Hotel often drop 20-30% below peak rates.
Weather & packing
Addis sits at 2,355 metres, so afternoons are sunny and warm but evenings drop sharply to 10-12°C. Pack layers: a light jacket or fleece for night, and a brolly even in the dry season, because sudden downpours happen year-round.
Live City Briefing — Addis Ababa
- The Addis Ababa light-rail system has resumed full service after track upgrades; the Bole line stops within 400m of the hotel, offering cheap travel to the city centre.
- Addis Ababa is hosting the African Union summit from 27 June to 1 July 2026, so Bole hotels and restaurants will be full and traffic around the AU complex heavy — plan airport transfers with extra time.
- Visa-on-arrival for most nationalities has been replaced by a mandatory online e-visa since 2025; apply at least 72 hours ahead to avoid delays at Bole International.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Holyday 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 the inner courtyard or rear of the building. These floors are high enough to reduce street noise but still within easy reach by stairs if the lift is busy.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the 1st floor: they sit directly above street level, so you'll hear traffic and foot traffic from Addis Ababa's main roads. Also skip rooms near the lift shaft on any floor — the clatter is constant, especially during peak hours.
Best views
The best view is from upper-floor rooms facing east or south, overlooking the city's hills and the Entoto Mountains in the distance. North-facing rooms just see the next block; west views are of the hotel's own service yard.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4 are the quietest: far enough from the street and service areas, and the lift stops less frequently there. The 2nd floor can also be decent if you're away from the lift.
🔊 Noise notes
Addis Ababa has heavy traffic on main roads, especially during morning and evening rush hours (7–9am, 4–7pm). Taxi horns and minibus (blue-and-white) queues outside the hotel are common. Also note that mosques call to prayer five times daily, audible even on upper floors; earplugs help.
Insider tips
1. The hotel has a small car park at the back — ask for a free space ahead of time via phone, as street parking is chaotic and your car will be blocked in. 2. Check-in can be slow at peak (11am–2pm); request early check-in when booking, or arrive after 3pm. 3. The buffet breakfast runs 6:30–9:30am; get there by 7am for the freshest eggs and fewer crowds.
- 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 — Holyday Hotel
Free basic WiFi (5 Mbps) for all guests; no login required; no paid upgrade available
Single lift serves all 4 floors; no stairs-only sections
Complimentary digital access to PressReader via QR code at reception; no physical papers
Standard check-in from 14:00; early bag drop allowed from 10:00; late check-out until 12:00 free, after that half-day charge of ETB 800
Free for same-day storage; overnight storage ETB 300 per bag
No step-free main entrance (3 steps); wheelchair access via side ramp upon request; no accessible bathrooms
On-site unsecured parking ETB 200 per night; nearest public car park at Bole Square 400 m away, ETB 150 per night; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking; incidental hold of ETB 2000 per night at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Place of worship: ቦሌ መስጅድ (1.1 km · ~14 min walk)
- Mosque: Dewam Mosque (1.1 km · ~14 min walk)
- Church: Urael Ethiopian Orthodox Church (1.3 km · ~17 min walk)
- Church: Urael Ethiopian Orthodox Church (1.3 km · ~17 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Grace Plaza — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk
Shalla Public Park — 589 m · ~7 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk
Nile Pharmacy — 543 m · ~7 min walk
Almi Mini Market — 529 m · ~7 min walk
Hayahulet 1 — 1.4 km · ~17 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Ethiopian Birr, ETB
Use bank ATMs inside malls or Dashen Bank for the best rate; avoid airport bureaux and hotels, which take a fat cut.
Some mid-range hotels and supermarkets in Bole accept cards, but most taxis, street stalls, and local eateries are cash-only.
Restaurants: 10% if no service charge added. Taxis: round up to nearest 10–20 ETB. Hotel porters: 20–50 ETB per bag.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Street-side coffee ceremony brewed fresh over charcoal, around 5–10 ETB per small cup
Injera with shiro or tibs from a local canteen, 80–120 ETB
A filling main of doro wat or kitfo at a neighbourhood restaurant, 150–200 ETB
Bole Road area after 6pm has stalls selling sambusa, roasted corn, and kitfo; also the Shiromeda market zone for grilled meats
Shemu, Nyala Supermarket, and Friendship Supermarket are common budget chains in Bole and around Mexico Square
Merkato is the huge open-air market for second-hand clothes and local textiles; Bole's Edna Mall has mid-range chain stores
Blue minibuses (taxis) for 6 ETB per ride within the city; from Bole Airport grab a shared minibus for 10 ETB to Bole roundabout
Always negotiate taxi fares before getting in – expect 50–100 ETB for short Bole trips. Eat at kiosk-style 'cafeterias' around Bole Medhanialem for half restaurant prices. Buy bottled water in bulk from supermarkets (15 ETB per 1.5L) rather than street sellers (25 ETB).
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 Holyday Hotel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk — pharmacy · Nile Pharmacy — 543 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 Holyday Hotel?
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor facing the inner courtyard or rear of the building. These floors are high enough to reduce street noise but still within easy reach by stairs if the lift is busy.
Which rooms should I avoid at Holyday Hotel?
Avoid rooms on the 1st floor: they sit directly above street level, so you'll hear traffic and foot traffic from Addis Ababa's main roads. Also skip rooms near the lift shaft on any floor — the clatter is constant, especially during peak hours.
Is Holyday Hotel noisy?
Addis Ababa has heavy traffic on main roads, especially during morning and evening rush hours (7–9am, 4–7pm). Taxi horns and minibus (blue-and-white) queues outside the hotel are common. Also note that mosques call to prayer five times daily, audible even on upper floors; earplugs help.
Which rooms have the best views at Holyday Hotel?
The best view is from upper-floor rooms facing east or south, overlooking the city's hills and the Entoto Mountains in the distance. North-facing rooms just see the next block; west views are of the hotel's own service yard.
What are insider tips for staying at Holyday Hotel?
1. The hotel has a small car park at the back — ask for a free space ahead of time via phone, as street parking is chaotic and your car will be blocked in. 2. Check-in can be slow at peak (11am–2pm); request early check-in when booking, or arrive after 3pm. 3. The buffet breakfast runs 6:30–9:30am; get there by 7am for the freshest eggs and fewer crowds.
What time is check-in at Holyday Hotel?
Check-in at Holyday Hotel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Holyday Hotel have Wi-Fi?
Free basic WiFi (5 Mbps) for all guests; no login required; no paid upgrade available
Is there a city or tourist tax at Holyday Hotel?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Holyday Hotel?
Injera with shiro or tibs from a local canteen, 80–120 ETB
What is the cheapest way to get around from Holyday Hotel?
Blue minibuses (taxis) for 6 ETB per ride within the city; from Bole Airport grab a shared minibus for 10 ETB to Bole roundabout
When is the best time to visit Addis Ababa?
November and December — clear skies after the long rains, mild temperatures (15-24°C), low humidity, and fewer international delegates, so airport traffic is lighter.
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.