🇪🇹 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Ras Amba
📍 Queen Elizabeth Street, Bel Air area, Addis Ababa
Photo: official website
Your stay — Ras Amba
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The Property — Ras Amba
Ras Amba is a no-frills 3-star in the business district near Bole Road. The lobby feels like a functional transit hub – polished concrete floors, a single reception desk under harsh lights, and a constant flow of guests in suits or backpacks. It suits budget-conscious travellers and layover visitors who need a clean bed, reliable hot water, and proximity to the airport without paying downtown premiums. The vibe is brisk Ethiopian efficiency, not charm.
Chronicles of Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa was founded in 1886 by Emperor Menelik II and Empress Taytu Betul, named after the Amharic for 'new flower'. Its expansion accelerated under Italian occupation (1936–41), which left Mussolini-era villas and wide boulevards like Bole Road. Post-1991, the city exploded with Chinese-financed highways, glass office towers, and the light-rail system – Africa's first modern urban metro. Today, it's the diplomatic capital of Africa, home to the African Union, but retains a raw, chaotic energy of street-side coffee ceremonies and eucalyptus groves.
Best Time to Visit
Full Addis Ababa guide →Best months
October and November: after the long rains, with clear skies, moderate 15–22°C days, and thin crowds before the December holiday rush. March: dry and sunny, with lower humidity than June.
Peak / festival surge
July sees the Ethiopian capital's major annual events: the Ethiopian Great Run and the Ashenda festival (women's cultural celebration). Prices at Ras Amba can jump 30–40% as domestic tourists fill rooms. The rainy season is in full swing (daily downpours), so outdoors activities are limited.
Budget shoulder season
April and May offer discounted rates (20–30% off peak) and fewer tourists, though expect light showers. The short, dry break in late May is particularly pleasant for budget travellers.
Weather & packing
Addis lies at 2,355 metres altitude; afternoons are warm (22–25°C) but evenings plunge to 10°C, even in July. Pack layers: a waterproof jacket for sudden downpours and a fleece for evenings.
Live City Briefing — Addis Ababa
- Bole Road road-widening project (ongoing till late 2026) causes frequent traffic jams near the hotel; allow an extra 30 minutes to Bole International Airport.
- New direct Ethiopian Airlines flight from London Gatwick launched June 2026, increasing tourist arrivals and hotel demand.
- The Oromia regional government has imposed a city-centre vehicle emission ban for 2026–27 to tackle pollution; taxis must pass inspection, reducing available rides.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Ras Amba, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor facing the inner courtyard or away from Queen Elizabeth Street. These levels are high enough to reduce street noise and overlook the quieter interior of the Bel Air area.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the 1st floor, especially those facing Queen Elizabeth Street, due to direct street-level noise from traffic, pedestrians, and possible service vehicle activity near the lobby entrance.
Best views
Upper-floor rooms facing the inner courtyard or rear of the hotel offer a calm view of residential Addis Ababa, with occasional glimpses of the Entoto Mountains on a clear day. Avoid street-side views which show busy traffic and parked cars.
Quietest floors
3rd and 4th floors are the quietest, being above typical street noise and away from ground-floor commotion.
🔊 Noise notes
Queen Elizabeth Street is a main road through Bel Air, so expect consistent daytime traffic rumble and occasional honking, especially during morning and evening rush hours. The lift can be audible if your room is adjacent to the shaft.
Insider tips
1. Ask for a room on the 3rd or 4th floor at check-in, ideally on the back side of the building. 2. The hotel may have a limited number of rooms with windows that open; if you prefer fresh air, request one in advance, as many windows in older budget hotels are sealed or fixed.
- 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 — Ras Amba
Free Wi-Fi for all guests, speed approx 10 Mbps; new login required every 8 hours.
Single lift serves all 5 floors; no stairs-only sections.
Complimentary digital access to PressReader; no physical papers. Building is a 1990s concrete block with no heritage quirks.
Standard check-in from 14:00; early bag drop allowed from 08:00; late check-out until 12:00 costs 500 ETB (weekday), 600 ETB (weekend).
Free for guests; non-guests charged 200 ETB per day.
Step-free entrance at main door; lift access to all floors; no grab rails in bathrooms.
On-site free parking for up to 10 cars (first-come, first-served); nearby public lot at Bole Road costs 150 ETB overnight; no EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required 3 days before arrival; cash deposit of 1,000 ETB on check-in for incidentals.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: St Matthew’s Anglican Church (274 m · ~3 min walk)
- Church: ባለወልድ ቤተ ክርስትያን (640 m · ~8 min walk)
- Church: Holy Trinity Cathedral (660 m · ~8 min walk)
- Church: MedhaneAlem Church (838 m · ~10 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Ambassador Mall — 1.1 km · ~14 min walk
Kideste Mariam Park — 1.3 km · ~17 min walk
Archaeology Museum — 756 m · ~9 min walk
Arat kilo children and youth center — 550 m · ~7 min walk
meda — 1.1 km · ~14 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 581 m · ~7 min walk
Mahi Pharmacy — 251 m · ~3 min walk
Kasantshis — 2.3 km · ~29 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Ethiopian Birr, ETB
Use Dashen Bank or commercial bank branches with good rates; the airport gives poor rates and tourist bureau exchange counters also sting you.
Visa/Mastercard accepted in upmarket hotels and some larger restaurants; most shops and local eateries are cash-only.
Round up taxi fares; leave 10% in restaurants if service charge isn't added; tip hotel porters 20–50 birr.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A short espresso or macchiato from a street kiosk costs about 15–25 birr.
Injera with a meat or vegetable wot from a local canteen sets you back 80–120 birr.
A main dish of tibs or pasta in a modest restaurant runs about 150–250 birr.
Edget or Bole side streets have vendors selling roasted corn, sambusas, and shiro wot by the bowl.
Supermarkets like Lafto Mall grocery or Friendship Supermarket are common in this area.
Merkato has cheap new and second-hand clothes; Bole area has mid-range shops along Bole Road.
Shared minibus (blue/white taxis) costs 5–10 birr per ride; from the airport take the minibus to Bole roundabout for 100 birr.
Eat at local wot houses not tourist spots; buy coffee beans from a market not a café; use shared taxis over private hires.
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 Ras Amba
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 581 m · ~7 min walk — pharmacy · Mahi Pharmacy — 251 m · ~3 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Ras Amba?
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor facing the inner courtyard or away from Queen Elizabeth Street. These levels are high enough to reduce street noise and overlook the quieter interior of the Bel Air area.
Which rooms should I avoid at Ras Amba?
Avoid rooms on the 1st floor, especially those facing Queen Elizabeth Street, due to direct street-level noise from traffic, pedestrians, and possible service vehicle activity near the lobby entrance.
Is Ras Amba noisy?
Queen Elizabeth Street is a main road through Bel Air, so expect consistent daytime traffic rumble and occasional honking, especially during morning and evening rush hours. The lift can be audible if your room is adjacent to the shaft.
Which rooms have the best views at Ras Amba?
Upper-floor rooms facing the inner courtyard or rear of the hotel offer a calm view of residential Addis Ababa, with occasional glimpses of the Entoto Mountains on a clear day. Avoid street-side views which show busy traffic and parked cars.
What are insider tips for staying at Ras Amba?
1. Ask for a room on the 3rd or 4th floor at check-in, ideally on the back side of the building. 2. The hotel may have a limited number of rooms with windows that open; if you prefer fresh air, request one in advance, as many windows in older budget hotels are sealed or fixed.
What time is check-in at Ras Amba?
Check-in at Ras Amba is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Ras Amba have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi for all guests, speed approx 10 Mbps; new login required every 8 hours.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Ras Amba?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Ras Amba?
Injera with a meat or vegetable wot from a local canteen sets you back 80–120 birr.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Ras Amba?
Shared minibus (blue/white taxis) costs 5–10 birr per ride; from the airport take the minibus to Bole roundabout for 100 birr.
When is the best time to visit Addis Ababa?
October and November: after the long rains, with clear skies, moderate 15–22°C days, and thin crowds before the December holiday rush. March: dry and sunny, with lower humidity than June.
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.