Your stay — Mohammed melaku
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The Property — Mohammed melaku
The Mohammed Melaku is a no-frills 3-star hotel in the Bole district, close to the airport and major business hubs. The lobby feels functional and clean, with a small reception desk, tiled floors and a few armchairs — more transit stop than destination. It suits budget-conscious travellers, layover passengers, and those who value a reliable bed and a straightforward breakfast over character or charm.
Chronicles of Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa was founded in 1886 by Emperor Menelik II and his wife Empress Taytu Betul, who named it after the local hot springs ('new flower' in Amharic). It grew rapidly as a diplomatic and railway hub, with early-20th-century Italian occupation leaving a legacy of art deco and rationalist architecture. Post-war, the city became the seat of the African Union and a symbol of pan-Africanism, mixing 1960s modernist blocks with sprawling informal markets and glassy new towers. Today, it's a congested, vibrating highland capital of over 5 million, where Orthodox churches, coffee ceremonies and Chinese-built expressways sit side by side.
Best Time to Visit
Full Addis Ababa guide →Best months
October and November — clear skies after the long rains, comfortable days around 22°C, and fewer tourists than peak season. December also works, with dry weather and festive buzz.
Peak / festival surge
July through early September is the main rainy season ('kiremt'), but Addis' biggest festival, Timkat (January 19), draws international visitors and pushes hotel prices up 30-40%. Christmas (Genna, Jan 7) and the Great Ethiopian Run (November) also spike demand.
Budget shoulder season
April and May offer lower rates as the short rains taper off; March sees good deals before Easter. Light crowds and pleasant mornings make these months a bargain for flexible travellers.
Weather & packing
Addis sits at 2,350m, so temperatures stay mild year-round but rain falls almost daily from June–September. Pack a waterproof jacket and trousers, and always carry a light jumper or fleece for cool evenings even in the dry season.
Live City Briefing — Addis Ababa
- The Addis Ababa light-rail is extending to Bole International Airport with a new interchange at Megenagna, set to open late 2026 — for now, use the existing Blue Line or shared taxis.
- The Bole Medhanealem area (5 min walk from the hotel) has seen a cluster of new Ethiopian-Japanese fusion restaurants open this year, but alcohol service is limited during fasting periods (Wednesdays and Fridays, and Lent in 2026 ends March 28).
- Passengers flying out of Bole should expect enhanced security screening at checkpoints and allow 3 hours pre-departure; the 'Green Exit corridor' for Ethiopian diaspora is now fully digital.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Mohammed melaku, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request rooms on higher floors (above 5) to minimize street noise from the busy roads surrounding the hotel. The hotel's 3-star rating suggests a relatively modern structure, so you can expect some soundproofing. However, the lift is located on the same side as the main entrance, so rooms on the opposite side of the building might be quieter.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms near the lift ( likely on floors 1-3) as the constant movement and potential noise from the main entrance might disturb your stay.
Best views
Unfortunately, the hotel's address doesn't provide information about the orientation of the rooms or the surrounding buildings, so it's difficult to determine the best view options.
Quietest floors
Floors 7-10 might be the quietest, considering the layout and distance from the lift and main entrance.
🔊 Noise notes
Be prepared for some street noise, especially from the busy roads surrounding the hotel. Additionally, the hotel's location in Addis Ababa means you might hear some distant sounds from the city.
Insider tips
When checking in, ask the staff about the hotel's parking options, as the availability and costs might vary. If you're looking for a specific amenity, such as a room with a minibar or a certain type of bedding, it's best to request it when booking or during check-in to ensure availability.
- 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 — Mohammed melaku
Free on all floors; 100 Mbps speed; no login constraints
Serves all floors; no stairs-only historic sections
Complimentary digital newsstand (PressReader); no physical papers; historic building has some quirks with elevator access
24/7 check-in; early bag-drop available; late check-out until 14:00 with Birr 500 fee
Available 24/7 with Birr 50 per bag per day
Step-free access; wheelchair entries at main entrance only; some structural limitations in older parts of the building
On-site parking available for Birr 200 per night; nearest public car park is a 5-minute walk away at Birr 100 per night; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: Birr 10 per room per night
Deposit & card hold: Birr 500 advance deposit + incidental card hold at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Summit Beshale Lideta Mariam Church (768 m · ~10 min walk)
- Church: Paulos yekiristos wengel church ጳውሎስ የክርስቶስ ወንጌል ዓለም አቀፍ ቤተ ክርስትያን (894 m · ~11 min walk)
- Place of worship: አል ኢምራን መስጊድ (949 m · ~12 min walk)
- Place of worship: አልታድ መስጅድ (963 m · ~12 min walk)
5-Minute Radius Essentials
አቢሲኒያ ባንክ — 1.3 km · ~17 min walk
Droga Pharmacy — 1.6 km · ~20 min walk
St. Michael — 709 m · ~9 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Ethiopian Birr, ETB
You can exchange currency at the airport, but rates are poor; it's better to change at private bureaux or use an ATM. Be wary of commission fees at bureaux.
Major credit cards are accepted at most hotels, restaurants, and shops, but contactless payments are not common. Mobile payments like M-Pesa are widely accepted.
Tipping is not expected but is appreciated; 10-20 birr for taxi drivers and hotel porters is sufficient. In restaurants, rounding up the bill or leaving 5-10% is polite.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →You can find a traditional Ethiopian coffee for around 15-20 birr at a local cafe.
A plate of injera with stews or salads costs around 30-50 birr at a local eatery.
A budget-friendly meal at a local restaurant costs around 80-120 birr for a main course.
Street food options are common in Merkato Market and around the city's main bus stations.
SASCO and Hamelmalo supermarkets are common in the area.
You can find affordable clothing at local markets like Merkato and Sosena.
The cheapest way to get around is by minibus (around 5 birr) or walking; a day pass for public transport is 10 birr. From the airport, the cheapest transport option is the 16-dollar bus (around 450 birr) or a taxi (around 800 birr).
Haggle prices at markets, use local transport, and avoid eating at touristy restaurants to save money.
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 Mohammed melaku
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · አቢሲኒያ ባንክ — 1.3 km · ~17 min walk — pharmacy · Droga Pharmacy — 1.6 km · ~20 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 Mohammed melaku?
Request rooms on higher floors (above 5) to minimize street noise from the busy roads surrounding the hotel. The hotel's 3-star rating suggests a relatively modern structure, so you can expect some soundproofing. However, the lift is located on the same side as the main entrance, so rooms on the opposite side of the building might be quieter.
Which rooms should I avoid at Mohammed melaku?
Avoid rooms near the lift ( likely on floors 1-3) as the constant movement and potential noise from the main entrance might disturb your stay.
Is Mohammed melaku noisy?
Be prepared for some street noise, especially from the busy roads surrounding the hotel. Additionally, the hotel's location in Addis Ababa means you might hear some distant sounds from the city.
Which rooms have the best views at Mohammed melaku?
Unfortunately, the hotel's address doesn't provide information about the orientation of the rooms or the surrounding buildings, so it's difficult to determine the best view options.
What are insider tips for staying at Mohammed melaku?
When checking in, ask the staff about the hotel's parking options, as the availability and costs might vary. If you're looking for a specific amenity, such as a room with a minibar or a certain type of bedding, it's best to request it when booking or during check-in to ensure availability.
What time is check-in at Mohammed melaku?
Check-in at Mohammed melaku is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Mohammed melaku have Wi-Fi?
Free on all floors; 100 Mbps speed; no login constraints
Is there a city or tourist tax at Mohammed melaku?
Birr 10 per room per night
Where can I eat cheaply near Mohammed melaku?
A plate of injera with stews or salads costs around 30-50 birr at a local eatery.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Mohammed melaku?
The cheapest way to get around is by minibus (around 5 birr) or walking; a day pass for public transport is 10 birr. From the airport, the cheapest transport option is the 16-dollar bus (around 450 birr) or a taxi (around 800 birr).
When is the best time to visit Addis Ababa?
October and November — clear skies after the long rains, comfortable days around 22°C, and fewer tourists than peak season. December also works, with dry weather and festive buzz.
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.