🇪🇹 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Tesfu Hotel
📍 CMC Road, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Your stay — Tesfu 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 — Tesfu Hotel
Tesfu Hotel in Addis Ababa is a modest 3-star property in the Bole district, near the airport and the commercial spine of the city. The lobby feels functional and busy: tiled floors, a small seating area, and staff at the front desk who process check-ins quickly. It suits travellers who need a no-fuss base near Bole International for a short stopover or early flight. The USP is its location – walking distance to Bole Medhanealem Church and several decent restaurants – not the facilities, which are clean but basic.
Chronicles of Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa was founded in 1886 by Emperor Menelik II, on a spot chosen by his wife Empress Taytu Betul for its hot springs. Unlike many African capitals, it was never colonised, and its early architecture mixed traditional tukul huts with Italian stone buildings from the 1930s occupation. Post-war, the city sprawled rapidly, and today its skyline is a jumble of high-rises, tin-roofed neighbourhoods, and vast Chinese-built boulevards. Culturally, Addis is the political capital of Africa – hosting the African Union – and its identity is glued together by coffee ceremonies, huge markets like Merkato, and the enduring sway of the Orthodox Church.
Best Time to Visit
Full Addis Ababa guide →Best months
October and November, after the long rains have cleared the air, with sunny days and lighter crowds for sightseeing. Also February, during the short dry spell, when temperatures are mild and skies are typically blue.
Peak / festival surge
Peak is September to early October around Ethiopian New Year (Enkutatash, 11 September) when the meskel daisies bloom, and again in January for Timkat (Epiphany). Hotel prices in Addis jump 30-50%, and rooms in any decent property near Bole fill fast with diaspora and business travellers.
Budget shoulder season
March and April offer a sweet spot: the short rains are light and brief, prices drop from January highs, and you’ll find few tourists. June and July are discount months too – wet but with big hotel deals.
Weather & packing
Addis sits at 2,355 metres, so the climate is spring-like year-round – around 20-25°C by day but dropping to 10°C at night. Pack layers: a lightweight jacket or hoodie is essential for evenings, plus a rain jacket for sudden downpours even in June.
Live City Briefing — Addis Ababa
- Light rail extension works on the north-south line are ongoing, causing detours on Bole Road near the hotel; allow extra time for taxis.
- The new Sheger Park along the riverside in the city centre opened in 2024 and now hosts a weekend food market, a 15-min drive from Bole.
- June 2026 falls in the long rainy season (kiremt), so expect heavy showers in the afternoon; the airport’s new terminal has improved queuing times for departures.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Tesfu Hotel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the top floor (third floor) for a relatively quieter stay. The hotel has only one lift serving all three floors, so you'll have minimal elevator noise.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms in the older wing, which has narrower doorways. This may be a concern for guests with mobility issues.
Best views
Unfortunately, there's no information on the hotel's orientation or the views from the rooms. Given the hotel's location on Bole Road, rooms on higher floors might offer views of the surrounding city, but this is uncertain.
Quietest floors
The second floor may be the quietest, as it's not directly above or below the lift. However, this is speculative, as no specific floor is mentioned as being quieter than others.
🔊 Noise notes
Street noise from CMC Road may be a concern for light sleepers. The hotel's location in Addis Ababa, a bustling city, contributes to this.
Insider tips
Take note of the free parking on-site, but be aware that the nearest public car park at Bole International Airport is a short drive away and costs 100 ETB per day. Don't bother asking for a password for the WiFi; it's free for all guests and doesn't require login.
- 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 — Tesfu Hotel
free for all guests; 5 Mbps download, 2 Mbps upload; no login required, password at reception
one lift serves all three floors; no stairs-only sections
no newspapers; free local TV via satellite in rooms
check-in 14:00-23:00; early bag drop free from 10:00; late check-out fee 20% of room rate until 18:00, subject to availability
free for day of check-out until 20:00; longer stays 50 ETB per day
step-free at main entrance via ramp; lift to all floors; no wheelchair-accessible rooms; narrow doorways in older wing
free on-site parking for 12 cars; no valet; nearest public car park at Bole International Airport parking 1 km away, 100 ETB per day; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 50 ETB per person per night
Deposit & card hold: first night payment via bank transfer or card; 500 ETB incidental hold on credit card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Place of worship: አያት አቡነ ገብረ መንፈስቅዱስ ቤተ ክርስቲያን (838 m · ~10 min walk)
- Place of worship: አያት ቅዱስ ገብርኤል እና ቅድስት ኪዳነ ምሕረት ቤተ ክርስቲያን (979 m · ~12 min walk)
- Church: Meri Debre Tabor St.Fanuhel (1.3 km · ~17 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
ሂል ቦተም መናፈሻ — 585 m · ~7 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 1.5 km · ~19 min walk
Weramo Pharmacy — 615 m · ~8 min walk
Loyal "supermarket" — 310 m · ~4 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Ethiopian Birr, ETB
Use bank ATMs or official forex bureaus in Bole area – avoid airport counters, which give poor rates.
Cards work in upscale hotels and large supermarkets, but street vendors, taxis, and many local shops expect cash; contactless is rare.
Round up taxi fares or leave 10% in restaurants if service charge not included; small tips (20–50 birr) for hotel porters and guides.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A small cup of traditional Ethiopian coffee (buna) from a street kiosk: around 10–15 birr.
Injera with wot (stew) from a local canteen or cafeteria: 60–100 birr.
A main dish like tibs or pasta at a neighbourhood restaurant: 120–200 birr.
Street food areas near bus stations (e.g., Piazza) and around markets – try sambusa, roasted corn, or kitfo.
Branches of Shoa Supermarket, Nyala Supermarket, or Jasmine Supermarket are common in Addis Ababa.
Affordable clothing at Merkato (the big open market) or around Bole Medhanealem area.
Blue-and-white minibus taxis (15–30 birr per ride) are the cheapest way to get around; from the airport, take a municipal bus (about 5 birr) to Piazza, or a shared taxi for 50 birr.
Negotiate prices at markets, especially Merkato. Eat at local kifle (kiosks) rather than tourist restaurants. Use minibus taxis instead of private hire.
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 Tesfu Hotel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 1.5 km · ~19 min walk — pharmacy · Weramo Pharmacy — 615 m · ~8 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 Tesfu Hotel?
Request a room on the top floor (third floor) for a relatively quieter stay. The hotel has only one lift serving all three floors, so you'll have minimal elevator noise.
Which rooms should I avoid at Tesfu Hotel?
Avoid rooms in the older wing, which has narrower doorways. This may be a concern for guests with mobility issues.
Is Tesfu Hotel noisy?
Street noise from CMC Road may be a concern for light sleepers. The hotel's location in Addis Ababa, a bustling city, contributes to this.
Which rooms have the best views at Tesfu Hotel?
Unfortunately, there's no information on the hotel's orientation or the views from the rooms. Given the hotel's location on Bole Road, rooms on higher floors might offer views of the surrounding city, but this is uncertain.
What are insider tips for staying at Tesfu Hotel?
Take note of the free parking on-site, but be aware that the nearest public car park at Bole International Airport is a short drive away and costs 100 ETB per day. Don't bother asking for a password for the WiFi; it's free for all guests and doesn't require login.
What time is check-in at Tesfu Hotel?
Check-in at Tesfu Hotel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Tesfu Hotel have Wi-Fi?
free for all guests; 5 Mbps download, 2 Mbps upload; no login required, password at reception
Is there a city or tourist tax at Tesfu Hotel?
50 ETB per person per night
Where can I eat cheaply near Tesfu Hotel?
Injera with wot (stew) from a local canteen or cafeteria: 60–100 birr.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Tesfu Hotel?
Blue-and-white minibus taxis (15–30 birr per ride) are the cheapest way to get around; from the airport, take a municipal bus (about 5 birr) to Piazza, or a shared taxi for 50 birr.
When is the best time to visit Addis Ababa?
October and November, after the long rains have cleared the air, with sunny days and lighter crowds for sightseeing. Also February, during the short dry spell, when temperatures are mild and skies are typically blue.
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.