Your stay — Temesgen BJ
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The Property — Temesgen BJ
Stepping into Temesgen BJ is like arriving at a quiet, functional hub in the bustling Bole district. The lobby is clean and modest, with polished tile floors and a small seating area that feels more practical than plush; this is a reliable 3-star focused on value and convenience. The USP is location: you’re a five-minute walk from Bole International Airport, making it a solid choice for layovers, late arrivals or early departures. It suits budget-conscious travellers, solo transit passengers, or anyone wanting a no-fuss sleep close to the terminals without airport-hotel mark-ups.
Chronicles of Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa was founded in 1886 by Empress Taytu Betul, who chose the hot springs at the base of Mount Entoto as the site for a new capital. The city grew rapidly under Emperor Menelik II, blending traditional Ethiopian round huts with European-influenced stone buildings, a mix still visible in old neighbourhoods like Piazza. After the Italian occupation (1936–1941), modernist concrete blocks rose, and today glass-walled towers dominate the skyline, reflecting Ethiopia’s role as Africa’s diplomatic capital. Contemporary Addis is a bustling, youthful metropolis where Orthodox churches, coffee ceremonies and taxi minibuses share streets with sleek hotels and Chinese-built expressways.
Best Time to Visit
Full Addis Ababa guide →Best months
October and November offer clear skies, moderate temperatures (17–23°C) and fewer crowds after the main rains. February is also excellent: dry and sunny, just before the long rains begin.
Peak / festival surge
November to January sees peak tourism driven by the Christmas season (Ethiopian Christmas on 7 January) and dry weather. Hotel prices rise 20–30% in this period; the Great Ethiopian Run (late November) also draws international runners.
Budget shoulder season
March and April are ideal budget windows: the long rains haven’t fully started, crowds are thin, and hotel rates drop by 15–20%. You’ll get mild days with occasional afternoon showers.
Weather & packing
Addis sits at 2,355 metres, so despite being near the equator, evenings and mornings are cool (10–15°C) even in June. Pack a light fleece or jacket for after sunset, and always carry a small umbrella — afternoon showers can appear suddenly year-round.
Live City Briefing — Addis Ababa
- The new Addis Ababa BRT (bus rapid transit) line along the Bole–Megenagna corridor started full operation in early 2025, offering a cheap, reliable 20-minute link between the airport and the city centre; Temesgen BJ is a 10-minute walk from the Bole stop.
- Construction on the Addis Ababa–Djibouti railway’s city-terminal expansion continues, with temporary traffic diversions on Africa Avenue near the hotel; allow an extra 10 minutes for airport transfers.
- The annual Ethiopian Coffee Festival runs in Meskel Square from 22–26 June 2026, featuring tastings and ceremonies; it’s a 25-minute taxi ride from the hotel, but expect road closures around the venue in the evenings.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Temesgen BJ, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the first floor (the upper floor) at the back side of the building, away from Alemgena Road. This avoids ground-floor noise from the parking area and the small street bustle. The two-storey walk-up means first-floor rooms get more light and air, and are slightly quieter.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid any room on the ground floor facing the street or parking lot. Ground-floor rooms are closest to the 6-car parking area (no valet, so car doors, conversations, and engine noise) and the two steps at the main entrance amplify street noise. Also avoid rooms near the main staircase – guests come and go with luggage, and there’s no lift, so stairwell is a thoroughfare.
Best views
Rooms at the back of the building (away from Alemgena Road) overlook a modest courtyard or neighbouring compound – nothing spectacular, but quieter. Street-side rooms look onto Alemgena Road and the 6-car parking lot: dusty, busy, and little to see.
Quietest floors
First floor (upper floor) – the second storey is quieter simply because it’s above the entrance, parking, and ground floor footfall. The building has only two floors, so this is your best bet.
🔊 Noise notes
Alemgena Road carries local traffic (minibuses, tuk-tuks, pedestrians) from early morning until late evening, especially near the market. The parking area for 6 cars is unsecured, so there’s occasional car door slamming and engine idling. No lift means stairwell noise (conversations, luggage dragging) echoes. Peak internet usage may cause lobby chatter to spill into ground-floor rooms.
Insider tips
1. Park your car in the free on-site spot, but leave nothing visible inside – it’s unsecured. If you’re worried, the public car park at Alemgena Market (2 km, 50 ETB/day) is manned but you’ll need a taxi back. 2. Check in early (before 6pm) to bag a first-floor back room; the hotel is popular with local business travellers and the best go fast. No lift, so ask for help with heavy luggage if needed.
- 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 — Temesgen BJ
Free in lobby and rooms, speed approx 10 Mbps; no login required but may ask for room number at peak times.
No lift; two-storey building with stairs only.
No digital newsstand; a single copy of The Ethiopian Herald at reception for reading in the lobby.
Check-in from 14:00; early bag drop available from 10:00 at reception; late check-out until 14:00 costs 300 ETB (subject to availability).
Free storage for day guests and after check-out; left at reception with a claim tag.
No step-free access at main entrance (two steps); no wheelchair-adapted rooms. Not suitable for guests with mobility issues.
Free on-site unsecured parking for 6 cars; no valet. Nearest public car park is 2 km away at Alemgena Market, 50 ETB per day. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking; 500 ETB incidental hold on a credit or debit card at check-in.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Place of worship: مسجد سعيد بن أبي وقاص (375 m · ~5 min walk)
- Church: St.Mickael Church (1.3 km · ~17 min walk)
- Place of worship: ፈትህ መስጂድ (1.5 km · ~19 min walk)
- Church: `Alem Gena Mika'El Bete Kristiyan (1.9 km · ~24 min walk)
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Ethiopian Birr, ETB
Use Dashen or Commercial Bank of Ethiopia ATMs for decent rates; avoid bureaux at Bole Airport as they give poor rates.
Cards only accepted in larger supermarkets and hotels; most local shops and transport require cash.
Not expected but appreciated: round up taxi fares, leave 10% in nicer restaurants, and give 50-100 birr to hotel porters.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A small cup of traditional coffee from a street kiosk costs around 5-10 birr.
Injera with shiro or a meat stew from a local cafeteria sets you back about 30-60 birr.
A simple dinner of kitfo or tibs with injera in a neighbourhood restaurant costs roughly 80-120 birr for a main.
Around bus stations or markets, look for roasted corn, sambusa, or 'kitfo' from roadside stalls.
Almadina or Bravo supermarkets are common in this area for basic groceries.
Alemgena's main market road has fabric stalls and second-hand clothing shops; for new basics, check the small shops near the bus terminal.
Blue minibuses (1-3 birr per ride within the area) are the cheapest; from the airport, take a shared minibus towards Megnagna for under 10 birr.
Always carry small bills as change is scarce; eat at local 'bunna bet' rather than cafes on the main road; buy produce at open-air markets rather than 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 Temesgen BJ
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 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 Temesgen BJ?
Request a room on the first floor (the upper floor) at the back side of the building, away from Alemgena Road. This avoids ground-floor noise from the parking area and the small street bustle. The two-storey walk-up means first-floor rooms get more light and air, and are slightly quieter.
Which rooms should I avoid at Temesgen BJ?
Avoid any room on the ground floor facing the street or parking lot. Ground-floor rooms are closest to the 6-car parking area (no valet, so car doors, conversations, and engine noise) and the two steps at the main entrance amplify street noise. Also avoid rooms near the main staircase – guests come and go with luggage, and there’s no lift, so stairwell is a thoroughfare.
Is Temesgen BJ noisy?
Alemgena Road carries local traffic (minibuses, tuk-tuks, pedestrians) from early morning until late evening, especially near the market. The parking area for 6 cars is unsecured, so there’s occasional car door slamming and engine idling. No lift means stairwell noise (conversations, luggage dragging) echoes. Peak internet usage may cause lobby chatter to spill into ground-floor rooms.
Which rooms have the best views at Temesgen BJ?
Rooms at the back of the building (away from Alemgena Road) overlook a modest courtyard or neighbouring compound – nothing spectacular, but quieter. Street-side rooms look onto Alemgena Road and the 6-car parking lot: dusty, busy, and little to see.
What are insider tips for staying at Temesgen BJ?
1. Park your car in the free on-site spot, but leave nothing visible inside – it’s unsecured. If you’re worried, the public car park at Alemgena Market (2 km, 50 ETB/day) is manned but you’ll need a taxi back. 2. Check in early (before 6pm) to bag a first-floor back room; the hotel is popular with local business travellers and the best go fast. No lift, so ask for help with heavy luggage if needed.
What time is check-in at Temesgen BJ?
Check-in at Temesgen BJ is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Temesgen BJ have Wi-Fi?
Free in lobby and rooms, speed approx 10 Mbps; no login required but may ask for room number at peak times.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Temesgen BJ?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Temesgen BJ?
Injera with shiro or a meat stew from a local cafeteria sets you back about 30-60 birr.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Temesgen BJ?
Blue minibuses (1-3 birr per ride within the area) are the cheapest; from the airport, take a shared minibus towards Megnagna for under 10 birr.
When is the best time to visit Addis Ababa?
October and November offer clear skies, moderate temperatures (17–23°C) and fewer crowds after the main rains. February is also excellent: dry and sunny, just before the long rains begin.
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.