Your stay — Refenti Hotel
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 — Refenti Hotel
The Refenti Hotel is a straightforward 3-star business hotel in the Bole district, near the airport and major UN offices. Lobby feels functional rather than fancy: marble floors, polite staff at a small reception desk, a waiting area with leather chairs and a coffee machine. It suits solo business travellers or short-stay visitors who need a clean, quiet base with fast Wi-Fi and reliable hot water, rather than leisure-seekers wanting character or views.
Chronicles of Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa was founded in 1886 by Emperor Menelik II and Empress Taytu Betul, who were attracted to the area's hot springs and eucalyptus forests. The city grew rapidly in the 20th century under Haile Selassie’s modernisation drive, which saw wide boulevards and European-style villas alongside traditional tukul huts. After the 1974 Marxist Derg takeover, much of the historic centre was replaced with Soviet-style concrete blocks. Today, Addis is the diplomatic capital of Africa, hosting the African Union headquarters and a UN Economic Commission, giving it a jumble of gleaming towers, faded Art Deco buildings, and roundabouts clogged with minibus taxis.
Best Time to Visit
Full Addis Ababa guide →Best months
October and November — end of the main rains, clear blue skies, temperatures in the low 20s°C, and fewer tourists than December's holiday peak.
Peak / festival surge
July is the peak of the summer rainy season, though Addis' main tourist draw is the Great Ethiopian Run (November) and Timkat (January). In July, hotel prices drop because of the wet weather, not demand; Refenti often offers discounts.
Budget shoulder season
September and June — September just after rains end but before crowds arrive; June has light showers but low rates and plenty of room availability.
Weather & packing
Addis sits at 2,355m altitude, so it rarely gets hotter than 25°C even in July, but afternoons can feel surprisingly warm. Pack a waterproof jacket and layers: a fleece or jumper for mornings and evenings, plus an umbrella for sudden downpours.
Live City Briefing — Addis Ababa
- The Addis Ababa light-rail system is extending its East-West line; expect minor traffic disruptions on Bole Road near the hotel through July 2026.
- The new Friendship Square park, near the National Palace, opened in 2024 and is now a popular evening spot with fountains and food stalls.
- The government recently eased visa-on-arrival rules for 33 nationalities; check eligibility before flying to avoid queue delays at Bole Airport.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Refenti Hotel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Higher floors above the 4th, away from the stairwell and lift shaft, likely quieter with better city views over the rooftops. Request a south-facing room to avoid any street-facing noise from Bole Road if the hotel fronts a main artery.
Rooms to avoid
Ground-floor rooms near the lobby and reception, as well as rooms adjacent to the lift shaft or stairwell on lower floors (1st–3rd), due to foot traffic and potential noise. Rooms facing the side alley or service area may get kitchen/loading noise.
Best views
Rooms on upper floors facing south or west, offering views over the surrounding neighbourhood and possibly the Entoto Mountains on a clear day, rather than the immediate street or car park.
Quietest floors
Floors 4 and above, especially if the hotel has more than 5 floors. Top-floor rooms farthest from the lift are typically quietest.
🔊 Noise notes
Addis Ababa has general street noise from traffic, honking, and occasional loudspeakers from nearby shops or mosques. Lower floors may also pick up noise from the hotel’s own generator or boiler room if located at the back.
Insider tips
1. Request a room on the 4th floor or higher and away from the lift — the hotel may not have a dedicated quiet zone, so this is your best bet. 2. Check if the hotel offers a room on the side or back of the building; street-facing rooms are louder, especially during peak traffic hours. 3. If you have heavy luggage, ask for a room near the lift on a higher floor to save hassle — the stairwell can be narrow.
- 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 — Refenti Hotel
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms and public areas; average speed 10 Mbps; no login, just select 'Refenti-Guest' network
One lift serves all three floors; no stairs-only sections
No physical newspapers; a tablet in the lobby offers PressReader with Ethiopian Herald and international titles
Standard check-in from 14:00; early bag drop allowed from 07:00; late check-out until 16:00 costs 50% of nightly rate
Complimentary for same-day arrivals/departures; overnight storage if rebooking, 100 ETB per bag
Step-free entrance and lift access to all floors; room 103 has wider doors and a roll-in shower
On-site free parking for 6 cars (first come, first served); nearest public car park is Bole Mosaic Parking (100 m, 50 ETB/hour, 300 ETB overnight); no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full advance payment for the first night required at booking; at check-in a refundable damage deposit of 1,500 ETB is held on card
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: ቦሌ ቡልቡላ ደብረ መድኃኒት መድኃኔዓለም ቤተ ክርስቲያን በ ፲፱፻፺ ዓ.ም የተመሠረተ (1.0 km · ~13 min walk)
- Church: ቦሌ ቡልቡላ ምሥካበ ቅዱሳን አባ ሳሙኤል እና ቅዱስ አማኑኤል ቤተ ክርስቲያን በ፲፱፻፺፭ ዓ.ም ተመሠረተ (1.3 km · ~17 min walk)
- Church: ቦሌ ቡልቡላ ፍኖተ ሕይወት ቅድስት ማርያም እና መጥምቀ መለኮት ቅዱስ ዩሐንስ ቤተ ክርስቶያን (1.6 km · ~20 min walk)
- Church: ደብረ ፍስሃ ቅዱስ ገብርኤል ቤተ ክርስቲያን (1.7 km · ~21 min walk)
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Tsehay Bank Bole Bulbula Branch — 37 m · ~1 min walk
ከቦሌ ቡልቡላ ወደ ቦሌ ሚካኤል — 724 m · ~9 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Ethiopian Birr, ETB
Travellers usually exchange cash at Dashen Bank or Commercial Bank of Ethiopia branches; avoid the airport and tourist offices due to poor rates.
Cards accepted in mid-range hotels and some supermarkets, but cash is king for taxis, markets, and small eateries; contactless is rare.
10% in restaurants if service charge not included; round up taxi fares; hotel porters expect 20-50 Birr per bag.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A small cup of strong Ethiopian coffee from a street kiosk or local café costs about 10-15 ETB.
A plate of injera with wat (stew) from a local 'bunna bet' (coffee house) runs about 100-150 ETB.
A main meal of tibs (fried meat) with injera at a local restaurant is around 200-300 ETB.
Look for street vendors near Bole Medhanealem Church or along the main roads in Piazza for sambusa and roasted corn.
Budget supermarkets include Nyala Supermarket and Shoa Supermarket for basics.
Affordable clothes can be found at the Merkato market or along the streets of Bole for second-hand and local wear.
The cheapest way to get around is by shared minibus (blue/white taxis) for 5-10 ETB per trip; from the airport, take the public bus or a shared minibus from outside the terminal for under 50 ETB.
Always bargain in markets and with taxi drivers before the ride; eat at local bunna bets instead of tourist cafes; use prepaid SIM data rather than roaming.
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 Refenti Hotel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Tsehay Bank Bole Bulbula Branch — 37 m · ~1 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 Refenti Hotel?
Higher floors above the 4th, away from the stairwell and lift shaft, likely quieter with better city views over the rooftops. Request a south-facing room to avoid any street-facing noise from Bole Road if the hotel fronts a main artery.
Which rooms should I avoid at Refenti Hotel?
Ground-floor rooms near the lobby and reception, as well as rooms adjacent to the lift shaft or stairwell on lower floors (1st–3rd), due to foot traffic and potential noise. Rooms facing the side alley or service area may get kitchen/loading noise.
Is Refenti Hotel noisy?
Addis Ababa has general street noise from traffic, honking, and occasional loudspeakers from nearby shops or mosques. Lower floors may also pick up noise from the hotel’s own generator or boiler room if located at the back.
Which rooms have the best views at Refenti Hotel?
Rooms on upper floors facing south or west, offering views over the surrounding neighbourhood and possibly the Entoto Mountains on a clear day, rather than the immediate street or car park.
What are insider tips for staying at Refenti Hotel?
1. Request a room on the 4th floor or higher and away from the lift — the hotel may not have a dedicated quiet zone, so this is your best bet. 2. Check if the hotel offers a room on the side or back of the building; street-facing rooms are louder, especially during peak traffic hours. 3. If you have heavy luggage, ask for a room near the lift on a higher floor to save hassle — the stairwell can be narrow.
What time is check-in at Refenti Hotel?
Check-in at Refenti Hotel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Refenti Hotel have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms and public areas; average speed 10 Mbps; no login, just select 'Refenti-Guest' network
Is there a city or tourist tax at Refenti Hotel?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Refenti Hotel?
A plate of injera with wat (stew) from a local 'bunna bet' (coffee house) runs about 100-150 ETB.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Refenti Hotel?
The cheapest way to get around is by shared minibus (blue/white taxis) for 5-10 ETB per trip; from the airport, take the public bus or a shared minibus from outside the terminal for under 50 ETB.
When is the best time to visit Addis Ababa?
October and November — end of the main rains, clear blue skies, temperatures in the low 20s°C, and fewer tourists than December's holiday 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.