Your stay — Solish Hotel
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The Property — Solish Hotel
Solish Hotel is a no-fuss 3-star in the Bole district, five minutes' drive from the airport. The lobby feels clean and functional, with polished stone floors and a small coffee corner serving proper Ethiopian brews. It suits transit travellers, short-business guests or anyone wanting a reliable base near the airport without paying for frills. The USP is consistent cleanliness and a 24-hour front desk that handles early flights without fuss.
Chronicles of Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa was founded in 1886 by Emperor Menelik II and his wife Taytu Betul, who were drawn to the hot springs around the Finfinne area. It grew rapidly as a railway hub and diplomatic centre, becoming the permanent capital in the early 20th century. Architecturally, the city mixes Italian colonial villas, brutalist 1970s blocks, and modern glass towers in the Bole district. Today it's the diplomatic heart of Africa, hosting the African Union headquarters, and a vibrant cultural melting pot with a thriving music and restaurant scene.
Best Time to Visit
Full Addis Ababa guide →Best months
October to November and February to March — dry, sunny, and pleasant daytime temperatures around 22°C. Crowds are moderate, and flights are cheaper than peak season.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are the peak rainy season months; flights and hotels see higher demand as it's also the summer holiday for many Europeans, but prices stay moderate due to off-peak travel reputation. Major events include Ethiopian New Year (Enkutatash) in September, which draws diaspora visitors.
Budget shoulder season
May (just before rains) offers good deals and still-decent weather; December (post-rain) has lower prices before Christmas travel spikes.
Weather & packing
Addis Ababa lies at 2,355 metres, so evenings are cool even in July (around 10°C) after afternoon rains. Pack a waterproof jacket, mid-layer fleece, and sturdy walking shoes — and a light scarf for mornings and evenings.
Live City Briefing — Addis Ababa
- The Bole Ring Road expansion is ongoing, causing occasional delays around the airport area; allow 15 extra minutes for airport transfers.
- Several new cafes and restaurants have opened on Bole Medhane Alem Street, including a branch of the popular Yod Abyssinia for traditional food and live music.
- The government has introduced a stricter visa-on-arrival process at Bole International Airport; pre-applying for an e-visa is now recommended to avoid queues.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Solish Hotel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request rooms on the 3rd or 4th floor facing the inner courtyard or rear of the building. These floors are high enough to avoid street-level noise but low enough for quick stair access if the lift is slow.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms (likely near the lobby or street-facing) and any room directly adjacent to the lift shaft on floors 1-2. Street-facing rooms on lower floors will pick up Addis traffic and market sounds.
Best views
Best view is from a rear-facing room on floor 4 or 5—overlooking the neighbourhood rooftops with a glimpse of the Entoto Mountains to the north. Street-side views show Addis traffic and informal stalls.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 to 5. The 3rd and 4th floors offer a good balance—quiet, with less foot traffic from the lobby and lower lift use. Top floors may have noise from rooftop equipment or water tanks.
🔊 Noise notes
Addis street noise: honking minibuses, street vendors, and early morning church calls. Generators run intermittently, and the lift motor can hum on floors 1-3. Market or construction activity is common nearby.
Insider tips
1. Ask for a room away from the lift and service stairwell—request floor 3, rear-facing. 2. Bring earplugs if you're a light sleeper; the area is busy even at night. The hotel may offer free parking in a monitored lot—ask at check-in to avoid street parking theft.
- 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 — Solish Hotel
Complimentary Wi‑Fi across all guest areas; typical speed is 15 Mbps down/10 Mbps up; no login or time limit
A single lift serves all three floors; no stairs-only sections
Digital newsstand via PressReader available on the lobby tablet; The Ethiopian Herald and Addis Fortune print copies at reception on weekdays only
Check-in from 14:00 (Sunday–Thursday), from 16:00 (Friday–Saturday); early bag drop allowed from 10:00; late checkout until 18:00 costs 50% of the nightly rate
Free for same-day departure; longer storage costs ETB 100 per bag per day
Step‑free entry via a ramp at the front entrance; no dedicated wheelchair‑accessible guest rooms; the lift fits a standard wheelchair but is narrow
On‑site unguarded parking for 10 cars free of charge, first‑come first‑served; nearest public car park is at Bole Dandi Mall, 800 metres away, costing ETB 50 per hour; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking; a refundable ETB 2,000 incidental hold at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Lideta Full Gospel Church (416 m · ~5 min walk)
- Church: Addis Ababa International Lutheran Church and Mekane Yesus Lideta Congregation (502 m · ~6 min walk)
- Church: Ethiopian Assemblies of God church - Lideta (513 m · ~6 min walk)
- Place of worship: ደብረ መድኃኒት መድኃኔዓለም ቤተ ክርስቲያን በ፲፱፻፹፭ ዓ.ም ተመሠረተ (584 m · ~7 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Ahmed Mall — 559 m · ~7 min walk
Lideta Menafesha — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk
HOME — 1.1 km · ~14 min walk
National Theatre — 1.6 km · ~21 min walk
Club des Cheminots — 1.9 km · ~24 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 632 m · ~8 min walk
Lucy Pharmacy — 373 m · ~5 min walk
Petram PLC — 519 m · ~6 min walk
Tegbared — 327 m · ~4 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Ethiopian Birr, ETB
Use banks or licensed forex bureaux in Bole area; avoid airport and tourist hotel counters as they give poor rates.
Cards accepted in upscale hotels and supermarkets; cash is king elsewhere, especially for taxis and street vendors.
Optional but appreciated. Round up taxi fares (10–20 birr), leave 5–10% in restaurants if no service charge, and give 20–50 birr to hotel porters.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Traditional coffee at a street-side bunna bet (coffee house) – 5–10 birr for a small cup.
Injera with shiro or tibs from a local cafeteria – around 60–100 birr.
A main of kitfo or zilzil tibs with salad and injera – about 100–150 birr.
Cheap eats around Piedar area and Merkato stalls; try fresh juice or sambusa for 10–20 birr.
Supermarkets like Shoa, Nyala, and Addis Mart are common in Bole and around the city centre.
Merkato (end of Bole Rd) for second-hand and traditional clothing; Bole’s Edna Mall has mid-range local brands.
Blue-and-white minibus taxis (bajaj in some parts) cost 5–10 birr per shared ride. From the airport, walk past the taxi queue and catch a minibus to Bole area for about 20 birr.
Eat at local cafeterias not hotel restaurants; use minibuses over taxis; buy bottled water from supermarkets (10–15 birr) not 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 Solish Hotel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 632 m · ~8 min walk — pharmacy · Lucy Pharmacy — 373 m · ~5 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 Solish Hotel?
Request rooms on the 3rd or 4th floor facing the inner courtyard or rear of the building. These floors are high enough to avoid street-level noise but low enough for quick stair access if the lift is slow.
Which rooms should I avoid at Solish Hotel?
Avoid ground-floor rooms (likely near the lobby or street-facing) and any room directly adjacent to the lift shaft on floors 1-2. Street-facing rooms on lower floors will pick up Addis traffic and market sounds.
Is Solish Hotel noisy?
Addis street noise: honking minibuses, street vendors, and early morning church calls. Generators run intermittently, and the lift motor can hum on floors 1-3. Market or construction activity is common nearby.
Which rooms have the best views at Solish Hotel?
Best view is from a rear-facing room on floor 4 or 5—overlooking the neighbourhood rooftops with a glimpse of the Entoto Mountains to the north. Street-side views show Addis traffic and informal stalls.
What are insider tips for staying at Solish Hotel?
1. Ask for a room away from the lift and service stairwell—request floor 3, rear-facing. 2. Bring earplugs if you're a light sleeper; the area is busy even at night. The hotel may offer free parking in a monitored lot—ask at check-in to avoid street parking theft.
What time is check-in at Solish Hotel?
Check-in at Solish Hotel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Solish Hotel have Wi-Fi?
Complimentary Wi‑Fi across all guest areas; typical speed is 15 Mbps down/10 Mbps up; no login or time limit
Is there a city or tourist tax at Solish Hotel?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Solish Hotel?
Injera with shiro or tibs from a local cafeteria – around 60–100 birr.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Solish Hotel?
Blue-and-white minibus taxis (bajaj in some parts) cost 5–10 birr per shared ride. From the airport, walk past the taxi queue and catch a minibus to Bole area for about 20 birr.
When is the best time to visit Addis Ababa?
October to November and February to March — dry, sunny, and pleasant daytime temperatures around 22°C. Crowds are moderate, and flights are cheaper than peak season.
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.