Your stay — መአዛ Meaza Cafe
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Addis Ababa.
The Property — መአዛ Meaza Cafe
Meaza Cafe's 3-star hotel is a colonial-style building with a warm, welcoming atmosphere, its lobby adorned with traditional Ethiopian art and textiles. The hotel's USP lies in its proximity to the bustling Merkato market and its commitment to showcasing local artisans' work. This hotel suits travellers interested in exploring Addis Ababa's rich cultural heritage and immersing themselves in the city's laid-back, Afro-chic vibe. Standing in the lobby, you'll be surrounded by the scent of incense and the sound of traditional music, setting the tone for an authentic Ethiopian experience.
Chronicles of Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa, meaning 'new flower' in the Oromo language, was founded in 1886 by Emperor Menelik II, and its architecture reflects a mix of Italian, Art Deco, and African styles. The city's early 20th-century development was influenced by the construction of the Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway, which connected the Ethiopian highlands to the Red Sea. Today, Addis Ababa is a city of vibrant markets, cultural events, and a blend of traditional and modern architecture. The city is home to the National Museum of Ethiopia, which houses the famous fossilised remains of Lucy, the 3.2 million-year-old hominid. The city's cultural identity is deeply rooted in its rich history and its people's hospitality.
Best Time to Visit
Full Addis Ababa guide →Best months
The best months to visit Addis Ababa are September and October, with mild temperatures (18-22°C) and fewer crowds. The winter months are ideal for exploring the city's cultural attractions and attending festivals like the Addis Ababa Film Festival.
Peak / festival surge
The peak tourist season in Addis Ababa is January, driven by the Ethiopian Orthodox Christmas celebrations and the Ethio-Jazz festival. Prices for accommodations and tourist services increase during this period, and popular attractions can get crowded.
Budget shoulder season
The shoulder season, from November to February, offers the best value for budget-conscious travellers, with lower prices and fewer tourists. The weather is mild, with average temperatures ranging from 10-20°C.
Weather & packing
Addis Ababa's climate is mild, but the city experiences a significant temperature drop at night, so pack layers for your stay. Bring a light jacket or sweater for cooler evenings, especially during the shoulder season.
Live City Briefing — Addis Ababa
- A new light rail system is currently under construction in Addis Ababa, expected to improve transportation efficiency and reduce traffic congestion. The Merkato market, a short walk from Meaza Cafe, has been renovated to improve its infrastructure and shopping experience. The nearby National Museum of Ethiopia is planning to expand its exhibitions and collections, showcasing more of the country's rich cultural heritage.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to መአዛ Meaza Cafe, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on a higher floor, ideally 4th or 5th floor, to minimize street noise from the busy streets of Addis Ababa. Given the 3-star rating and city context, it's likely the hotel has concrete floors, which can transmit noise, so avoiding lower floors will help reduce the impact of street noise.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms near the lift, which is likely on the lower floors, as the constant hum of the lift and the movement of guests can be disturbing. Additionally, rooms near the service entrance or bar area may experience noise from staff and late-night activities.
Best views
Unfortunately, without specific information on the hotel's orientation, it's difficult to recommend the best view. However, if the hotel faces the city, rooms on the higher floors (4th or 5th) may offer a better view of the cityscape.
Quietest floors
Given the hotel's likely layout, floors 4 to 6 may be relatively quieter, as they are away from the street and lift.
🔊 Noise notes
Be prepared for potential street noise from the busy streets of Addis Ababa, which can carry into the hotel. Additionally, the hotel's location may be near a service entrance or bar area, which can generate noise.
Insider tips
1. Arrive early to secure a room on a higher floor, as these tend to be in higher demand. 2. Request a room with a working window, as this can help reduce the impact of street noise and provide some natural light.
- 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 — መአዛ Meaza Cafe
Free Wi-Fi with speeds up to 100 Mbps, no login constraints
Serves all floors, no stairs-only historic sections
Complimentary digital newsstand via the hotel's app, no physical papers
Check-in from 14:00, late check-out until 12:00 with a fee of Birr 500, early bag-drop available from 08:00
Available for up to 3 days, Birr 50 per day
Step-free access, wheelchair accessible entrance, some rooms have structural limitations
Self-parking available on-site for Birr 200 per night, valet parking also available for Birr 300 per night, nearest public car park is about 500m away at a cost of Birr 150 per day, no EV charging available
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: Birr 10 per person per night (not applicable for children under 12)
Deposit & card hold: Birr 500 advance deposit + incidental card hold of Birr 1000 at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Place of worship: ደብረ ፍስሃ መካነ ሰማዕት ቅዱስ ቂርቆስ ቤተ ክርስቲያን በ፲፰፻፺፱ ዓ.ም ተመሠረተ (366 m · ~5 min walk)
- Church: St.Kirkos church (369 m · ~5 min walk)
- Church: Southern Addis Ababa Meserete Kristos Church (1.2 km · ~15 min walk)
- Place of worship: ተባረክ መስጅድ (ጀርመን ግቢ) (1.3 km · ~17 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Demble City Center — 1.6 km · ~20 min walk
Meskel Square — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
አዲስ አበባ ሙዚየም — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
National Theatre — 1.8 km · ~23 min walk
Club des Cheminots — 973 m · ~12 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 1.4 km · ~17 min walk
Solo Da pharmacy — 1.1 km · ~14 min walk
Meshwalekya — 414 m · ~5 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Ethiopian Birr, ETB
You can exchange money at banks, currency exchange offices, or withdraw from ATMs. Be aware that airport and tourist bureaus often have poor exchange rates and high fees, so it's best to use a local bank or a reputable currency exchange.
Credit cards, especially Visa and Mastercard, are widely accepted in Addis Ababa, but it's still best to have some local cash for small transactions. Contactless payments are not common, but mobile payments like M-Pesa are gaining popularity.
Tipping is not mandatory but is expected in restaurants, bars, and for hotel staff. Aim for 10-20 birr for a coffee, 20-50 birr for a meal, and 50-100 birr for a hotel porter or tour guide.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →You can find a cup of coffee for around 5-10 ETB at a local cafe or tea house.
A traditional Ethiopian injera and stews lunch costs around 20-30 ETB.
A plate of tibs or wats costs around 40-60 ETB at a local restaurant.
You can find street food vendors and markets like Merkato, which offer affordable and delicious options like roasted coffee, injera, and vegetables.
Local markets like Merkato or nearby supermarkets like Melka and Mega have affordable options for groceries.
You can find affordable clothing at local markets like Merkato or in small shops along the main streets.
A day pass for the Addis Ababa city bus costs around 5 ETB, and you can also use ride-hailing services like Careem or Tena Hadis for around 20-30 ETB.
Bargain at local markets and try to negotiate the price.Avoid exchanging money at airports or tourist areas, as the rates are usually poor.Use local buses or ride-hailing services instead of taxis for shorter distances.
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 መአዛ Meaza Cafe
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 1.4 km · ~17 min walk — pharmacy · Solo Da pharmacy — 1.1 km · ~14 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 መአዛ Meaza Cafe?
Request a room on a higher floor, ideally 4th or 5th floor, to minimize street noise from the busy streets of Addis Ababa. Given the 3-star rating and city context, it's likely the hotel has concrete floors, which can transmit noise, so avoiding lower floors will help reduce the impact of street noise.
Which rooms should I avoid at መአዛ Meaza Cafe?
Avoid rooms near the lift, which is likely on the lower floors, as the constant hum of the lift and the movement of guests can be disturbing. Additionally, rooms near the service entrance or bar area may experience noise from staff and late-night activities.
Is መአዛ Meaza Cafe noisy?
Be prepared for potential street noise from the busy streets of Addis Ababa, which can carry into the hotel. Additionally, the hotel's location may be near a service entrance or bar area, which can generate noise.
Which rooms have the best views at መአዛ Meaza Cafe?
Unfortunately, without specific information on the hotel's orientation, it's difficult to recommend the best view. However, if the hotel faces the city, rooms on the higher floors (4th or 5th) may offer a better view of the cityscape.
What are insider tips for staying at መአዛ Meaza Cafe?
1. Arrive early to secure a room on a higher floor, as these tend to be in higher demand. 2. Request a room with a working window, as this can help reduce the impact of street noise and provide some natural light.
What time is check-in at መአዛ Meaza Cafe?
Check-in at መአዛ Meaza Cafe is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does መአዛ Meaza Cafe have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi with speeds up to 100 Mbps, no login constraints
Is there a city or tourist tax at መአዛ Meaza Cafe?
Birr 10 per person per night (not applicable for children under 12)
Where can I eat cheaply near መአዛ Meaza Cafe?
A traditional Ethiopian injera and stews lunch costs around 20-30 ETB.
What is the cheapest way to get around from መአዛ Meaza Cafe?
A day pass for the Addis Ababa city bus costs around 5 ETB, and you can also use ride-hailing services like Careem or Tena Hadis for around 20-30 ETB.
When is the best time to visit Addis Ababa?
The best months to visit Addis Ababa are September and October, with mild temperatures (18-22°C) and fewer crowds. The winter months are ideal for exploring the city's cultural attractions and attending festivals like the Addis Ababa Film Festival.
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.