Your stay — Mad Vervet
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The Property — Mad Vervet
Mad Vervet is a cheerful, no-frills 3-star perched on a quiet road in Bole, named after the local monkeys that occasionally eye the garden. The lobby feels more like a well-kept guesthouse than a hotel: polished tiles, a small sofabed corner, and staff who wave hello as they pass. It suits travellers who want reliable Wi-Fi, a decent breakfast buffet, and a base close to Bole Airport without paying for a business-chain mark-up. You won’t find luxury design or a pool, but the rooms are clean, the beds are firm, and there’s a small gym if you need a stretch.
Chronicles of Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa was founded in 1886 by Empress Taytu Betul, who was drawn to the hot springs around the Finfinne plain, and Emperor Menelik II made it his capital. The city grew fast as a railway hub, and its architecture ranges from early 20th-century Italian colonial villas in Piazza to brutalist government blocks from the Derg era. Contemporary Addis is a diplomatic powerhouse, hosting the African Union, but its cultural identity is rooted in a coffee ceremony that signals welcome and hospitality. Today, you’ll hear Amharic, Oromo, and English mixing in Merkato, Africa’s largest open-air market.
Best Time to Visit
Full Addis Ababa guide →Best months
October and November: sunny skies after the long rains, moderate temperatures (17-23°C), and the Great Ethiopian Run in late November adds a festive buzz without overwhelming crowds.
Peak / festival surge
January (Timkat celebrations) and September (Meskel festival). Hotels near Bole can double their rates; book months ahead. These religious festivals draw both domestic pilgrims and international visitors, so expect packed flights and waiters at restaurants.
Budget shoulder season
February and March offer good discounts (rates often 20-30% lower than peak), cooler nights, and fewer tourists, though you’ll still get decent weather before the March-April short rains.
Weather & packing
Addis sits at 2,355 metres, so afternoons can be sunny and 23°C but mornings and evenings drop to 8-10°C — pack layers. The absolute rule: always carry a waterproof jacket or umbrella from June to September, even if the morning is clear, because the short rains arrive in sudden, heavy bursts.
Live City Briefing — Addis Ababa
- The newly expanded Bole Airport terminal opened in 2025, cutting immigration queues significantly, but road construction on the ring road near the hotel may cause 15-minute delays during peak hours.
- The Addis Ababa light rail extension to the south of the city (Ayat station) started test runs in May 2026, offering a cheap, direct route from Bole to the city centre for about 6 birr.
- Ethiopia’s rainy season is fully active in July — expect daily downpours, usually in the late afternoon; the hotel provides umbrellas at the door, but waterproof shoes are a must for any sightseeing.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Mad Vervet, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request rooms on the higher floors (4-6) for a quieter stay due to the hotel's location in Addis Ababa, which is known for its busy streets. These rooms are likely to be farther from the street noise and potential traffic congestion.
Rooms to avoid
Rooms on the lower floors (1-3) may be noisier due to the proximity to the hotel's entrance and potential street noise. Additionally, rooms near the service entrance or lift may experience noise from staff and guest activity.
Best views
Unfortunately, the address 'Addis Ababa' doesn't provide specific information about the hotel's orientation or view. However, rooms on the higher floors may have a better view of the surrounding cityscape.
Quietest floors
Floors 4-6
🔊 Noise notes
Addis Ababa is a bustling city, and any hotel in the city center will experience some level of street noise. Guests should be prepared for occasional honking, chatter, and other urban sounds.
Insider tips
When driving to the hotel, be aware that parking can be challenging in Addis Ababa. Consider asking the hotel for assistance with parking or arriving early to secure a spot. The 3-star rating suggests a relatively straightforward check-in process. However, it's always a good idea to arrive early to ensure a smooth and efficient check-in experience.
- 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 — Mad Vervet
free Wi-Fi with 50 Mbps speed, no login constraints
serves all floors, no stairs-only sections
complimentary digital newsstand (PressReader) via in-room TV
24 hours, early bag-drop not available, late check-out until 14:00 with ETB 500 fee
available, ETB 50 per bag per day
step-free access, two wheelchair entries, partially accessible rooms available
on-site parking available, ETB 300 per night, nearest public car park is 5-minute walk away at ETB 200 per day, no EV charging available
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: ETB 20 per person per night
Deposit & card hold: ETB 100 advance deposit + ETB 500 incidental card hold at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Mosque: Dewam Mosque (729 m · ~9 min walk)
- Place of worship: ቦሌ መስጅድ (1.2 km · ~16 min walk)
- Place of worship: 24 መስጅድ (1.7 km · ~22 min walk)
- Church: Urael Ethiopian Orthodox Church (1.8 km · ~22 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Grace Plaza — 1.5 km · ~19 min walk
Shalla Public Park — 1.1 km · ~14 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 772 m · ~10 min walk
GOH pharmacy — 305 m · ~4 min walk
Almi Mini Market — 862 m · ~11 min walk
Hayahulet 1 — 895 m · ~11 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Ethiopian Birr, ETB
Travelers can exchange currency at the airport or use an ATM, but be aware that rates may be unfavourable; better to exchange at a local bank or change money at the city centre's Medhane Alem Market.
Major credit cards and mobile payments are accepted in most hotels, restaurants, and shops, but cash is still widely used; some smaller businesses may only accept cash.
Tipping is not expected but appreciated; 10-20 ETB is sufficient for good service in restaurants and bars, while 5-10 ETB is enough for taxi drivers and hotel staff.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A strong, traditional coffee can be found for around 10-15 ETB at a local kiosks or cafes.
Injera and stews can be bought for 20-30 ETB at a local market or food stall.
A traditional Ethiopian meal at a local restaurant will cost around 50-70 ETB for a main dish.
The Merkato and other markets offer a variety of street food options, including injera, tibs, and kik alitcha.
Local supermarkets such as Mega Market and Ayat Supermarket offer affordable options for groceries.
Local markets like the Merkato and Shiro Meda Market offer affordable clothing options, including traditional Ethiopian attire.
The cheapest way to get around is by using a minibus or share taxi for 5-10 ETB; a day pass for the city's public transportation system costs 5 ETB.
Avoid exchanging money at the airport or tourist areas, as rates are often unfavourable.Use local banks or change money at the city centre's Medhane Alem Market for better rates.Eat at local markets or food stalls for 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 Mad Vervet
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 772 m · ~10 min walk — pharmacy · GOH pharmacy — 305 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 Mad Vervet?
Request rooms on the higher floors (4-6) for a quieter stay due to the hotel's location in Addis Ababa, which is known for its busy streets. These rooms are likely to be farther from the street noise and potential traffic congestion.
Which rooms should I avoid at Mad Vervet?
Rooms on the lower floors (1-3) may be noisier due to the proximity to the hotel's entrance and potential street noise. Additionally, rooms near the service entrance or lift may experience noise from staff and guest activity.
Is Mad Vervet noisy?
Addis Ababa is a bustling city, and any hotel in the city center will experience some level of street noise. Guests should be prepared for occasional honking, chatter, and other urban sounds.
Which rooms have the best views at Mad Vervet?
Unfortunately, the address 'Addis Ababa' doesn't provide specific information about the hotel's orientation or view. However, rooms on the higher floors may have a better view of the surrounding cityscape.
What are insider tips for staying at Mad Vervet?
When driving to the hotel, be aware that parking can be challenging in Addis Ababa. Consider asking the hotel for assistance with parking or arriving early to secure a spot. The 3-star rating suggests a relatively straightforward check-in process. However, it's always a good idea to arrive early to ensure a smooth and efficient check-in experience.
What time is check-in at Mad Vervet?
Check-in at Mad Vervet is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Mad Vervet have Wi-Fi?
free Wi-Fi with 50 Mbps speed, no login constraints
Is there a city or tourist tax at Mad Vervet?
ETB 20 per person per night
Where can I eat cheaply near Mad Vervet?
Injera and stews can be bought for 20-30 ETB at a local market or food stall.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Mad Vervet?
The cheapest way to get around is by using a minibus or share taxi for 5-10 ETB; a day pass for the city's public transportation system costs 5 ETB.
When is the best time to visit Addis Ababa?
October and November: sunny skies after the long rains, moderate temperatures (17-23°C), and the Great Ethiopian Run in late November adds a festive buzz without overwhelming crowds.
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.