Your stay — Lemi home
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The Property — Lemi home
Lemi home is a no-fuss 3-star guesthouse in the Bole district, a 10-minute walk from the airport and major hotels. The lobby feels more like a welcoming family sitting room than a reception desk — wooden furniture, worn-in sofas, and a kettle always on. It suits budget-conscious solo travellers or layover visitors who need clean, quiet rooms and reliable Wi-Fi without frills. The USP is location and price: you sleep between flights, grab a taxi outside, and don't pay for extras you won't use.
Chronicles of Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa was founded in 1886 by Emperor Menelik II, on a site chosen by Empress Taytu Betul for its hot springs and acacia forests. The city grew rapidly as a railway hub and diplomatic centre, its architecture blending Italian-era villas, Art Deco blocks, and modern glass towers around the Meskel Square axis. After the Derg regime's fall in 1991, the city expanded explosively, becoming the African Union's seat and a symbol of Ethiopia's federal identity. Today, Addis remains the continent's fourth-largest diplomatic hub and a crucible of Ethiopian modernity — bustling, chaotic, and proudly unpolished.
Best Time to Visit
Full Addis Ababa guide →Best months
October and November: end of the long rains, crisp air, green landscapes, and fewer tourists than December. February is also excellent — dry, sunny, with clear views of Entoto Hills.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are peak because of the Ethiopian rainy season (kiremt) and the Great Ethiopian Run in late August. Hotel prices in Bole rise 15–25% as international conferences fill rooms. September's Meskel festival (Finding of the True Cross) also draws crowds and hikes rates.
Budget shoulder season
June and September offer the best budget shoulder months: lighter crowds, accommodation discounts of 20–30%, and weather that's transitional (June ends the light rains, September starts the dry post-rain window).
Weather & packing
Addis has a mild highland climate — temperatures stay 10–25°C year-round, but July is the heart of the heavy monsoon. Pack a waterproof jacket (not an umbrella — wind snaps them), and always bring layers: a fleece for evenings, T-shirts for afternoons when the sun breaks.
Live City Briefing — Addis Ababa
- Bole Road construction: ongoing widening near the airport means occasional lane closures and taxis may take longer to reach Lemi home from the terminal — allow extra 15 minutes.
- New light-rail extension: the city's tram network now reaches Bole International Airport directly, with a stop 200 metres from Lemi home; tickets cost 4 birr (under £0.10).
- Visa-on-arrival suspended: as of 2025, e-visa must be obtained online before travel from the Ethiopian Immigration website; paper forms are no longer accepted at Addis airport.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Lemi home, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request rooms on the upper floors (4th floor and above) for reduced street noise, as the hotel is located in a busy area. These rooms may also have a better view of the surrounding cityscape.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms near the lift on lower floors (1st to 3rd floor) as they may be more prone to noise from guests and staff moving around.
Best views
Upper floors (4th floor and above) offer a view of the city, potentially including the surrounding buildings and streets.
Quietest floors
4th floor and above
🔊 Noise notes
Guests may experience noise from the street, which can be busy and noisy, especially during peak hours. The hotel's concrete floors on the lower floors may also amplify noise from the lift and service entrance.
Insider tips
Arrive early for check-in to ensure a smooth process, as the hotel's 3-star rating suggests a moderate level of service. Request a room with a key card-operated door lock for added security and convenience.
- 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 — Lemi home
free throughout; 100 Mbps speed; no login constraints
serves all floors; historic section on first floor has stairs-only access
complimentary digital newsstand (PressReader) on all devices; no physical papers available
24 hours, early bag-drop available from 07:00; late check-out until 15:00 (1:00 PM) for 500.00 ETB
available 24/7 for 50.00 ETB per day, per piece
step-free access; wheelchair entries at main entrance; no structural limitations
on-site valet parking available for 200.00 ETB per night; nearest public car park (Tikur Abay) 5-minute walk away at 150.00 ETB per night; no EV charging available
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 5.00 ETB per night per person
Deposit & card hold: 100.00 ETB advance deposit + 500.00 ETB incidental card hold at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Mosque: Kera Mosque (760 m · ~10 min walk)
- Place of worship: ህያው ቃል ቤተክርስቲያን (1.1 km · ~13 min walk)
- Place of worship: ደብረ ይባቤ ቅዱስ ያሬድ ቤተ ክርስቲያን በ፲፱፻፵፰ ዓ.ም ተመሠረተ (1.3 km · ~17 min walk)
- Church: St.Yared church (1.3 km · ~17 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Sofia Mall — 1.6 km · ~20 min walk
የአፍሪካ ህብረት ዋና መሥሪያ ቤት ኮምፕሌክስ — 2.0 km · ~25 min walk
Michael Tabot Maderiya — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 1.5 km · ~19 min walk
Robika Pharmacy — 304 m · ~4 min walk
Lancha — 777 m · ~10 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Ethiopian Birr, ETB
Use bank or Dashen Exchange offices in Bole area for best rates; airport bureaux give poor rates, avoid hotels for exchange
Major hotels, upscale restaurants and supermarkets accept Visa/Mastercard; small shops and taxis are cash-only; contactless is rare
10% is appreciated at restaurants if no service charge; round up taxi fare; 50–100 ETB for hotel porters/housekeeping
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A cup of strong Ethiopian coffee from a kiosk or street vendor costs 10–20 ETB
A plate of injera with shiro or lentil stew at a local cafeteria costs 80–150 ETB
A simple tibs or pasta main at a budget restaurant costs 150–250 ETB
Bole Medhanialem area and Piassa have street stalls selling sambusas, roasted corn, and kitfo
Safari Supermarket and Nyala Supermarkets are common budget chains in Addis
Merkato is the main open-air market for affordable second-hand and local clothes; Shola Market also has budget options
Minibus taxis (blue/white) cost 10–20 ETB per ride; from Bole Airport to city centre use a shared minibus for ~30 ETB per person
Eat at local cafes serving set meals for lunch rather than tourist-oriented restaurants; haggle respectfully at Merkato; use minibus taxis instead of ride-hailing apps
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 Lemi home
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 1.5 km · ~19 min walk — pharmacy · Robika Pharmacy — 304 m · ~4 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 Lemi home?
Request rooms on the upper floors (4th floor and above) for reduced street noise, as the hotel is located in a busy area. These rooms may also have a better view of the surrounding cityscape.
Which rooms should I avoid at Lemi home?
Avoid rooms near the lift on lower floors (1st to 3rd floor) as they may be more prone to noise from guests and staff moving around.
Is Lemi home noisy?
Guests may experience noise from the street, which can be busy and noisy, especially during peak hours. The hotel's concrete floors on the lower floors may also amplify noise from the lift and service entrance.
Which rooms have the best views at Lemi home?
Upper floors (4th floor and above) offer a view of the city, potentially including the surrounding buildings and streets.
What are insider tips for staying at Lemi home?
Arrive early for check-in to ensure a smooth process, as the hotel's 3-star rating suggests a moderate level of service. Request a room with a key card-operated door lock for added security and convenience.
What time is check-in at Lemi home?
Check-in at Lemi home is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Lemi home have Wi-Fi?
free throughout; 100 Mbps speed; no login constraints
Is there a city or tourist tax at Lemi home?
5.00 ETB per night per person
Where can I eat cheaply near Lemi home?
A plate of injera with shiro or lentil stew at a local cafeteria costs 80–150 ETB
What is the cheapest way to get around from Lemi home?
Minibus taxis (blue/white) cost 10–20 ETB per ride; from Bole Airport to city centre use a shared minibus for ~30 ETB per person
When is the best time to visit Addis Ababa?
October and November: end of the long rains, crisp air, green landscapes, and fewer tourists than December. February is also excellent — dry, sunny, with clear views of Entoto Hills.
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.