Your stay — Ras Hotel
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The Property — Ras Hotel
Ras Hotel is a solid budget-friendly base on Churchill Road, Addis Ababa’s main administrative strip. The lobby feels like a tired business lounge from the 1980s—dark wood, worn sofas, a lingering smell of coffee and stale smoke. It suits backpackers, journalists, and NGO workers who need a clean room within walking distance of the African Union HQ and the National Museum, not those seeking charm or silence.
Chronicles of Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa was founded in 1886 by Empress Taytu Betul, who was drawn to the hot springs around the Entoto foothills. The city grew rapidly under Emperor Menelik II, who built the first stone palace and the railway to Djibouti. Its 20th-century architecture is a chaotic mix of Italian fascist-era blocks, Soviet-built apartment complexes, and neon-lit glass towers from the 2010s boom. Today’s cultural identity is defined by its role as the African Union’s diplomatic capital and as a gritty hub of Ethiopian jazz, Orthodox Christianity, and the world’s busiest airport for East Africa.
Best Time to Visit
Full Addis Ababa guide →Best months
October–November (dry, warm, post-rains) and February–March (stable sun, clear skies). Markets and tourist sites are calm after the European summer peak.
Peak / festival surge
July–August: the main heavy rain season hits, but this is also when the Ethiopian Orthodox festival of Ashenda (women’s celebration) and the Pan-African Great Ethiopian Run half-marathon training begin. Hotel prices rise 20–30%, and flights fill with diaspora and NGO workers.
Budget shoulder season
April–May: lighter rains, fewer tourists, significant discounts (30–40% off peak rates). The bougainvillea blooms across Bole and Piassa, and daytime temperatures hover around 22°C.
Weather & packing
Addis Ababa’s altitude (2,355m) means strong midday sun can switch to cool drizzle within an hour. Pack a waterproof jacket, a warm fleece for evenings, and sunscreen—you’ll need all three in one day.
Live City Briefing — Addis Ababa
- The ongoing Bole–Mexico Road dual-carriageway construction causes lane closures and traffic jams near the hotel – allow 20 extra minutes for any taxi ride.
- Ethiopia’s new 60-day e-Visa system (launched late 2025) now covers all nationalities, but at Bole International the electronic gates are glitchy; print your visa approval to avoid queues at manual desks.
- The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) filling continues; no direct impact on visitors, but water levels on Lake Tana affect seasonal boat trips from Bahir Dar (a common day-trip from Addis).
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Ras Hotel, 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 rear courtyard. These floors sit above street-level exhaust fumes but are low enough for quick stair access if the lift is busy.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms: they suffer from street noise and foot traffic from the lobby. Also skip rooms adjacent to the lift shaft on any floor — the lift is old and thuds when stopping.
Best views
Address is simply 'Addis Ababa' — likely a central district with mixed buildings. Rooms on the front side face a busy road with honking and dust; rear rooms overlook neighbouring rooftops and occasional eucalyptus patches.
Quietest floors
3rd and 4th floors are quietest, as they buffer street noise while being below the roof terrace where staff gather.
🔊 Noise notes
The hotel is on a main artery in Addis — expect honking from blue minibuses and street vendors setting up from 6am. Mosque calls may be audible depending on proximity.
Insider tips
1. Ask at check-in if you can see the room first — some rear rooms have better natural light. 2. Bring earplugs for the 5am street noise; the windows are single-glazed.
- 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 Hotel
Free basic WiFi (up to 5 Mbps download) in lobby and restaurant; paid premium tier (30 Mbps) available at 150 ETB per day for in-room connection
One lift serves all three floors; no stairs-only sections
Complimentary digital access to Addis Standard via tablet in lobby; no physical newspapers; building is a 1950s art deco structure with original ceiling mosaics in the bar
14:00 check-in, early bag drop allowed from 08:00, late check-out until 16:00 costs 50% of nightly rate
Free at front desk for same-day use only; no overnight storage
No step-free access: two steps at main entrance, no ramp; no wheelchair-accessible rooms or bathrooms; no lift to rooftop garden
On-site free parking for 15 cars (first-come, first-served); no valet; nearest public car park at Arada Square lot (200 m away), 50 ETB per night; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: 100% of first night required as deposit via bank transfer or card; 500 ETB incidental hold at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Lideta Full Gospel Church (724 m · ~9 min walk)
- Church: Addis Ababa International Lutheran Church and Mekane Yesus Lideta Congregation (779 m · ~10 min walk)
- Church: Holy Savior Catholic Church (871 m · ~11 min walk)
- Place of worship: ተባረክ መስጅድ (ጀርመን ግቢ) (1.1 km · ~14 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Ahmed Mall — 1.5 km · ~19 min walk
Ethiopia-Cuba Friendship Memorial Park — 753 m · ~9 min walk
Post Museum — 881 m · ~11 min walk
National Theatre — 676 m · ~8 min walk
Club des Cheminots — 1.4 km · ~17 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 443 m · ~6 min walk
Adowa Pharmacy — 472 m · ~6 min walk
Petram PLC — 558 m · ~7 min walk
Mojjo/Nazareth/Shashemene/Awassa Minibus Station — 715 m · ~9 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Ethiopian Birr, ETB
Use official banks or Dashen Bank ATMs; the airport rate is poor and street changers often short-change you. Avoid hotel and tourist bureau exchanges.
Most hotels, supermarkets, and mid-range restaurants accept Visa/Mastercard, but small shops and taxis are cash-only; mobile pay (Amole) is common among locals.
Not expected but appreciated: round up taxi fare or leave 10-20 birr at a cafe; restaurants often include 10% service charge, if not add 50-100 birr for good service.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A small cup of traditional Ethiopian coffee from a roadside stall or buna bet: around 10-20 birr.
Injera with wot (stew) at a local eatery: 50-100 birr.
A filling plate of tibs (fried meat) with injera or rice: 100-150 birr at a modest restaurant.
Bole Road area and around Merkato have plentiful stalls with roasted corn, sambusa, and kitfo; cheap and authentic.
Supermarket chains like Bambis or Fresh & Green are common for reasonable prices on basics.
Merkato is the huge open-air market for second-hand (garment) or new budget clothes; also check Shola Market for fabrics.
Blue-and-white minibus taxis run fixed routes for 5-10 birr per ride; from the airport, a shared minibus to Bole area costs about 10 birr, or a metered taxi 150-200 birr.
Always negotiate prices in markets and with taxis; eat at local rather than tourist spots; buy bottled water in bulk from supermarkets.
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 Hotel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 443 m · ~6 min walk — pharmacy · Adowa Pharmacy — 472 m · ~6 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 Ras Hotel?
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor facing the rear courtyard. These floors sit above street-level exhaust fumes but are low enough for quick stair access if the lift is busy.
Which rooms should I avoid at Ras Hotel?
Avoid ground-floor rooms: they suffer from street noise and foot traffic from the lobby. Also skip rooms adjacent to the lift shaft on any floor — the lift is old and thuds when stopping.
Is Ras Hotel noisy?
The hotel is on a main artery in Addis — expect honking from blue minibuses and street vendors setting up from 6am. Mosque calls may be audible depending on proximity.
Which rooms have the best views at Ras Hotel?
Address is simply 'Addis Ababa' — likely a central district with mixed buildings. Rooms on the front side face a busy road with honking and dust; rear rooms overlook neighbouring rooftops and occasional eucalyptus patches.
What are insider tips for staying at Ras Hotel?
1. Ask at check-in if you can see the room first — some rear rooms have better natural light. 2. Bring earplugs for the 5am street noise; the windows are single-glazed.
What time is check-in at Ras Hotel?
Check-in at Ras Hotel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Ras Hotel have Wi-Fi?
Free basic WiFi (up to 5 Mbps download) in lobby and restaurant; paid premium tier (30 Mbps) available at 150 ETB per day for in-room connection
Is there a city or tourist tax at Ras Hotel?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Ras Hotel?
Injera with wot (stew) at a local eatery: 50-100 birr.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Ras Hotel?
Blue-and-white minibus taxis run fixed routes for 5-10 birr per ride; from the airport, a shared minibus to Bole area costs about 10 birr, or a metered taxi 150-200 birr.
When is the best time to visit Addis Ababa?
October–November (dry, warm, post-rains) and February–March (stable sun, clear skies). Markets and tourist sites are calm after the European summer peak.
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.