Your stay — Mac Addis
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The Property — Mac Addis
Mac Addis is a no-frills business hotel in the Bole district, close to the airport and a short taxi hop from Bole Road’s restaurants and shops. The lobby feels like a functional transit lounge – tiled floors, dark leather sofas, a slow-turning ceiling fan – and the staff are efficient but not effusive. Rooms are clean and compact, with good blackout curtains and reliable hot water, but the real selling point is the location for layovers or early departures. It suits solo travellers or couples who value convenience over character and won’t spend much time inside.
Chronicles of Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa began in 1886 as a hot-springs retreat for Empress Taytu Betul, then grew rapidly after Emperor Menelik II moved his capital here. The city was rebuilt under Italian occupation (1936–41) leaving a mix of Art Deco and fascist-era concrete, later layered with mid-century modernist blocks and Chinese-built highways. Today it is Africa’s diplomatic capital, home to the African Union, and a cultural crossroads where traditional injera bakeries stand next to glass embassy compounds. Its residents are famously friendly, but the city’s breathless pace, construction dust and diesel haze can overwhelm a first-time visitor.
Best Time to Visit
Full Addis Ababa guide →Best months
OctoberNovemberFebruary
Peak / festival surge
May is busy with conferences at the UN and AU; hotel prices rise 30-50%. The ‘Meskel’ festival (27-28 September) also swells occupancy and rates.
Budget shoulder season
March and August offer mild weather, fewer business travellers and room discounts of 20-30% at 3-star properties like Mac Addis.
Weather & packing
Addis is at 2,355m altitude so midday sun is intense but evenings drop to 10°C – pack layers you can add or peel off by the hour. A rain jacket is essential from June to September; the ‘belg’ short rains in March-April are lighter but still catch the unwary.
Live City Briefing — Addis Ababa
- Ethiopian Airlines launched a direct Addis–London Gatwick route in March 2026, reducing transfer times from Heathrow but expect tighter luggage allowances.
- Bole Road’s major junction renovation near the airport finishes in June 2026, which should ease the chronic weekday gridlock around Mac Addis.
- A new city-wide smoking ban in public spaces took effect in January 2026 – the hotel’s outdoor terrace remains unaffected but bar interiors are now smoke-free.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Mac Addis, 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) for a quieter stay, as the lower floors may experience more street noise from the busy Addis Ababa streets. Additionally, rooms on the west side of the hotel may receive less direct sunlight and some respite from the city's intense sun.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the ground floor, as they may be more prone to street noise and potentially more susceptible to theft or unauthorized access through the service entrance.
Best views
As the hotel is located in Addis Ababa, the views from the higher floors (west side) may offer a glimpse of the surrounding cityscape, but be aware that the hotel's 3-star rating and location in the city center mean that the views may not be spectacular.
Quietest floors
The 4th floor and above are likely to be the quietest, given the hotel's layout and the fact that the elevator only goes up to the 5th floor.
🔊 Noise notes
Be mindful of street noise, which can be intense in Addis Ababa. Additionally, the hotel's location may mean some background noise from the service entrance and elevator.
Insider tips
When checking in, be prepared to provide your passport and pay in local currency (Birr) or credit card, as this is standard practice in Ethiopia. If you're driving, note that parking may be limited in the area, so it's a good idea to inform the hotel in advance to arrange for parking or take a taxi.
- 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 — Mac Addis
free, 10 Mbps speed, no login constraints
serves all floors, no stairs-only sections
complimentary PressReader digital newsstand, physical newspapers available at the lobby
24/7 check-in, early bag-drop available from 08:00, late check-out until 14:00 at 50% of daily rate
available at the front desk, free for up to 24 hours
step-free access, wheelchair accessible entrance, some rooms have walk-in showers
on-site parking available, 500 ETB per night; nearest public car park at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, 200 ETB per day; no EV charging available
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 20.68 ETB per person per night (mandatory)
Deposit & card hold: 30% advance payment and 1000 ETB incidental card hold 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)
Exchange currency at a local bank or an authorized currency exchange office, avoiding airport or tourist bureaux for better rates. Be prepared to show your passport.
Major credit cards, including Visa and Mastercard, are widely accepted in Addis Ababa, but contactless payments are not common. Mobile payments are becoming more popular, especially with the use of apps like M-Pesa.
Tipping is not expected but appreciated for good service, around 10-20 ETB for restaurant staff, and 5-10 ETB for taxi drivers and hotel staff.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A typical cup of coffee can be found for around 10-15 ETB at a local café.
A plate of injera (Ethiopian flatbread) with various stews can be had for around 20-30 ETB.
A basic meal at a local restaurant can cost around 50-70 ETB for a main course.
Street food is available in areas like Merkato and around the city's main bus stations, offering dishes like injera with stews and fried chicken.
Local supermarkets like Italo and Keffa offer affordable options for groceries.
Affordable shopping can be found at local markets like Merkato and Sidist Kilo, where you can find everything from traditional clothing to everyday essentials.
A day pass for public transportation costs around 5 ETB, and the cheapest way from the airport is by taking a taxi for around 200-300 ETB.
Negotiate prices for taxis and other services to get a better deal.Avoid eating at hotels or tourist areas, where prices tend to be higher.Try local eateries and street food for authentic and affordable meals.
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 Mac Addis
🕒 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 Mac Addis?
Request a room on a higher floor (above the 3rd floor) for a quieter stay, as the lower floors may experience more street noise from the busy Addis Ababa streets. Additionally, rooms on the west side of the hotel may receive less direct sunlight and some respite from the city's intense sun.
Which rooms should I avoid at Mac Addis?
Avoid rooms on the ground floor, as they may be more prone to street noise and potentially more susceptible to theft or unauthorized access through the service entrance.
Is Mac Addis noisy?
Be mindful of street noise, which can be intense in Addis Ababa. Additionally, the hotel's location may mean some background noise from the service entrance and elevator.
Which rooms have the best views at Mac Addis?
As the hotel is located in Addis Ababa, the views from the higher floors (west side) may offer a glimpse of the surrounding cityscape, but be aware that the hotel's 3-star rating and location in the city center mean that the views may not be spectacular.
What are insider tips for staying at Mac Addis?
When checking in, be prepared to provide your passport and pay in local currency (Birr) or credit card, as this is standard practice in Ethiopia. If you're driving, note that parking may be limited in the area, so it's a good idea to inform the hotel in advance to arrange for parking or take a taxi.
What time is check-in at Mac Addis?
Check-in at Mac Addis is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Mac Addis have Wi-Fi?
free, 10 Mbps speed, no login constraints
Is there a city or tourist tax at Mac Addis?
20.68 ETB per person per night (mandatory)
Where can I eat cheaply near Mac Addis?
A plate of injera (Ethiopian flatbread) with various stews can be had for around 20-30 ETB.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Mac Addis?
A day pass for public transportation costs around 5 ETB, and the cheapest way from the airport is by taking a taxi for around 200-300 ETB.
When is the best time to visit Addis Ababa?
OctoberNovemberFebruary
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.