🇪🇹 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
SAMARA Hotel
📍 Africa China Avenue, Addis Ababa
Your stay — SAMARA Hotel
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The Property — SAMARA Hotel
SAMARA Hotel sits on Bole Road, Addis Ababa’s main artery, and feels like a business-class bolt-hole: efficient, clean and quietly competent. The lobby is bright, tiled and unpretentious, with a small seating area and a reception that moves guests through quickly. For the price (a reliable 3-star), you get a solid room with a desk, decent Wi-Fi and a breakfast buffet that includes Ethiopian breads and eggs cooked to order. It suits the solo traveller or short-stay visitor who wants a no-surprises base in the city centre, close to Bole International Airport and the diplomatic quarter.
Chronicles of Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa was founded in 1886 by Emperor Menelik II, who chose the highland site for its temperate climate and mineral springs. The city expanded rapidly under Italian occupation (1936–1941), which left a legacy of rationalist villas and wide boulevards. After 1941, Emperor Haile Selassie modernised the capital, building the Africa Hall and the grand Jubilee Palace complex. Today, Addis is the diplomatic hub of Africa, home to the African Union, and its streets blend modern glass towers with traditional tukul huts and 1960s modernist concrete. The city’s cultural identity is rooted in its role as a pan-African centre, but it also retains a distinctly Ethiopian character, with its own calendar, cuisine and coffee ceremony ubiquitous in every neighbourhood.
Best Time to Visit
Full Addis Ababa guide →Best months
October–NovemberFebruary–March
Peak / festival surge
July–August is peak due to northern summer holidays and the Ethiopian rainy season’s second period. Festivals such as the Ethiopian New Year (Enkutatash) in September also drive demand. Hotels like SAMARA can see prices rise 20–40% in July and August, though Addis is rarely fully booked outside major conferences.
Budget shoulder season
June and September are good shoulders: June sees lighter rains, September has clearing skies, and both months offer lower rates (10–20% off peak) and thinner crowds.
Weather & packing
Addis sits at 2,355m, so afternoons are mild (20–22°C) but mornings and evenings can drop to 8°C. Pack layers: a light jumper or fleece for mornings, and a waterproof jacket for the July showers.
Live City Briefing — Addis Ababa
- Ethiopian Airlines has launched a new domestic route from Addis to Jinka, expanding access to the Omo Valley; direct flights start 1 July 2026.
- The Addis Ababa light-rail line is extending its East–West route with a new station at Bole International Airport, due to open in late 2026; July visitors should expect some construction noise near Meskel Square.
- A series of electrical grid upgrades is planned for July 2026; short power outages (1–2 hours) may occur in parts of the city, including Bole district. Pack a power bank and a small torch.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to SAMARA Hotel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the upper floors (4th floor or above) for a quieter stay. The hotel's location on Africa China Avenue means you'll be near a busy road, so higher floors will give you a better chance of escaping street noise. Additionally, the hotel's 4 floors have a lift, making it easier to access without having to climb stairs.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the first floor, as they may be more prone to noise from the street and potential foot traffic from the hotel's entrance. Rooms on the ground floor near the service entrance or bar may also be noisier due to the hotel's proximity to the road.
Best views
Unfortunately, the hotel's address doesn't suggest a particularly scenic view, but rooms on higher floors may offer a view of the surrounding cityscape.
Quietest floors
3rd floor to 4th floor
🔊 Noise notes
Be prepared for potential street noise from Africa China Avenue, which can be busy. The hotel's proximity to the road means you may hear some traffic sound, especially during peak hours.
Insider tips
1. If you're arriving by car, be aware that parking may be limited in the area, so it's best to ask the hotel staff about parking options when you check-in. 2. Consider requesting a room with a balcony, as they may offer a slightly better view and a chance to enjoy some fresh air.
- 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 — SAMARA Hotel
free, 5 Mbps speed, no login constraints
serves all floors, but there is a stairs-only section on the top floor
complimentary digital newsstand, including PressReader, no physical papers
24/7 check-in, early bag-drop available from 06:00, late check-out until 14:00, ETB 500 fee
available, ETB 100 per bag per 24 hours
step-free access, wheelchair entries on all levels, but no elevator access to top floor
on-site parking available, ETB 200 per night, nearest public car park is the Africa Avenue Car Park, ETB 150 per day, no EV charging available
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: ETB 25 per person per night
Deposit & card hold: 50% advance deposit, 100% incidental card hold at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: ቦሌ ቃለ ሕይወት ቤተ-ክርስቲያን (275 m · ~3 min walk)
- Mosque: Hacheva Mosque (326 m · ~4 min walk)
- Church: ቦሌ ሚካኤል ቤ/ክ (975 m · ~12 min walk)
- Place of worship: ቦሌ ደብረ ምሕረት ቅዱስ ሚካኤል ቤተ ክርስቲያን በ፲፱፻፷፰ ዓ.ም ተመሠረተ (981 m · ~12 min walk)
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 799 m · ~10 min walk
Kab Pharmacy — 809 m · ~10 min walk
Nifas Silk 2 — 2.6 km · ~33 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Ethiopian Birr (ETB)
You can exchange currency at local banks like Commercial Bank of Ethiopia or Dashen Bank, but be aware that rates at the Bole International Airport may be unfavorable. It's recommended to exchange currency at a local bank or a licensed forex bureau.
Major credit cards like Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, and some shops, but it's best to have some local currency for smaller transactions. Contactless and mobile payments are not common in Addis Ababa.
Tipping is not mandatory but is appreciated for good service. Aim to tip 10% in restaurants and bars, and ETB 10-20 for taxi drivers.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A typical cheap coffee option is a local 'jebena' coffee, which can be found for around ETB 10-15.
A budget lunch option is a traditional injera flatbread with various stews, available for around ETB 20-30.
A typical affordable dinner option is a plate of tibs or wats, which can be found for around ETB 50-70.
The Merkato market is a good place to find street food and cheap eats.
Local supermarkets like Italo and Belay Ababu are common in this area.
The Merkato market and nearby Atikilt Tera market are good places to find affordable high-street and market shopping.
The cheapest way to get around is by minibus or 'gurasa', which costs around ETB 5-10. From the airport, take a taxi or a shared minibus (gurasa) for around ETB 100-150.
Avoid exchanging money at hotels or airports, as the rates are often unfavorable.Use local currency for small transactions to avoid high fees.Negotiate prices when shopping at markets or from street vendors.
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 SAMARA Hotel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 799 m · ~10 min walk — pharmacy · Kab Pharmacy — 809 m · ~10 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 SAMARA Hotel?
Request a room on the upper floors (4th floor or above) for a quieter stay. The hotel's location on Africa China Avenue means you'll be near a busy road, so higher floors will give you a better chance of escaping street noise. Additionally, the hotel's 4 floors have a lift, making it easier to access without having to climb stairs.
Which rooms should I avoid at SAMARA Hotel?
Avoid rooms on the first floor, as they may be more prone to noise from the street and potential foot traffic from the hotel's entrance. Rooms on the ground floor near the service entrance or bar may also be noisier due to the hotel's proximity to the road.
Is SAMARA Hotel noisy?
Be prepared for potential street noise from Africa China Avenue, which can be busy. The hotel's proximity to the road means you may hear some traffic sound, especially during peak hours.
Which rooms have the best views at SAMARA Hotel?
Unfortunately, the hotel's address doesn't suggest a particularly scenic view, but rooms on higher floors may offer a view of the surrounding cityscape.
What are insider tips for staying at SAMARA Hotel?
1. If you're arriving by car, be aware that parking may be limited in the area, so it's best to ask the hotel staff about parking options when you check-in. 2. Consider requesting a room with a balcony, as they may offer a slightly better view and a chance to enjoy some fresh air.
What time is check-in at SAMARA Hotel?
Check-in at SAMARA Hotel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does SAMARA Hotel have Wi-Fi?
free, 5 Mbps speed, no login constraints
Is there a city or tourist tax at SAMARA Hotel?
ETB 25 per person per night
Where can I eat cheaply near SAMARA Hotel?
A budget lunch option is a traditional injera flatbread with various stews, available for around ETB 20-30.
What is the cheapest way to get around from SAMARA Hotel?
The cheapest way to get around is by minibus or 'gurasa', which costs around ETB 5-10. From the airport, take a taxi or a shared minibus (gurasa) for around ETB 100-150.
When is the best time to visit Addis Ababa?
October–NovemberFebruary–March
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.