🇪🇹 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
TZ Hotel
📍 T Z Building, Rwanda Street, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Your stay — TZ 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 — TZ Hotel
TZ Hotel is a functional, no-frills 3-star near Bole International Airport. Its lobby feels like a transit lounge: practical tiles, a small seating area, and staff who handle check-ins efficiently. It suits budget-conscious business travellers or anyone needing a clean, quiet room close to the runway for an early flight. Don't expect character or charm — expect reliable Wi-Fi and a solid breakfast spread.
Chronicles of Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa was founded in 1886 by Emperor Menelik II and Empress Taytu Betul, chosen for its hot springs and high-altitude climate. Unlike many African capitals, it was never colonised, so its architecture blends Italian modernist blocks, imperial-era villas, and gleaming Chinese-built towers. The city expanded rapidly in the 20th century as the seat of the African Union, earning it the nickname 'the political capital of Africa'. Today, it's a sprawling metropolis of 5 million, where horse-drawn carts dodge rush-hour minibuses and eucalyptus trees line every avenue. Its cultural identity remains anchored to Ethiopian Orthodox traditions, coffee ceremonies, and the vibrant music of the 'Golden Age' of the 1960s and 70s.
Best Time to Visit
Full Addis Ababa guide →Best months
OctoberNovemberFebruary
Peak / festival surge
December-January (Christmas/Genna) and Ethiopian New Year (September 11-12); prices at 3-stars rise 20-40%, rooms scarce due to diaspora returnees and religious pilgrims.
Budget shoulder season
March and June offer lower rates, sporadic light rain, and quieter attractions; April sees the heaviest rains but deep discounts.
Weather & packing
Addis has two rainy seasons (June-September and March-April) with sudden downpours. Even in June, pack a waterproof jacket, long sleeves for evening, and a scarf for church visits.
Live City Briefing — Addis Ababa
- The new Bole-Meskel Square light rail extension opened this year, reducing taxi costs to city centre (now 5-10 min walk from TZ Hotel).
- Ethiopia's visa-on-arrival for most nationalities is now fully operational at Bole Airport; double-check e-visa requirements if arriving after 10pm.
- June is the start of the heavy rains — expect delays on gravel roads and reduced visibility on flights; pack an umbrella and patience.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to TZ Hotel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the first floor for easier access to the lift and less chance of noise from the service entrance on the ground floor.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms near the lift as it can be noisy, especially during peak hours.
Best views
Rooms on the top floor may offer a view of the surrounding cityscape.
Quietest floors
First floor
🔊 Noise notes
The hotel's location on Rwanda Street, near Bole Road, means that rooms facing the street may be affected by traffic noise.
Insider tips
Take advantage of the free on-site parking, but be aware that it's first-come, first-served and not reserved. Consider checking in earlier to secure a room on a higher floor, as the lift can be a bottleneck during peak hours.
- 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 — TZ Hotel
Free basic Wi-Fi for all rooms and lobby. Average speed 10 Mbps down, 5 Mbps up. No login required – just accept terms on the portal.
One lift serves all three guest floors. No stairs-only sections.
Free digital Newsstand via PressReader login at reception. No physical papers delivered.
Check-in from 14:00. Early bag drop allowed from 10:00 without charge. Late check-out until 16:00 costs ETB 800; subject to availability.
Free storage at reception for same-day collection. Longer terms possible but not official policy.
Step-free entry at main door. No ramps to restaurant or conference room – they are accessed via two steps. Lift has room for a wheelchair but no tactile buttons.
Free on-site parking for guests, first-come first-served, no reservation. Nearest public car park is Bole Parking Lot (200m, ETB 50 per 24h). No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking; a refundable ETB 2,000 hold on a credit card at check-in for incidentals.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Thehadso International Church (700 m · ~9 min walk)
- Mosque: Welo Sefer Mosque (747 m · ~9 min walk)
- Church: Bole Bible Baptist Church (1.2 km · ~15 min walk)
- Place of worship: ፃድቁ አቡነ ጎርጎሪዎስ ቤተ ክርስቶያን ፲፱፻፺፫ ዓ.ም ተመሠረተ (1.2 km · ~15 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Grace Plaza — 2.3 km · ~29 min walk
Peacock Park — 1.9 km · ~24 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 572 m · ~7 min walk
Ze Gelia Pharmacy — 701 m · ~9 min walk
Lancha — 1.8 km · ~23 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Ethiopian Birr, ETB
Use licensed forex bureaus or bank ATMs in Bole area; avoid hotel or airport counters which give poor rates.
Major hotels and supermarkets accept Visa/Mastercard; most restaurants and taxis need cash.
10% at restaurants if service charge not included; round up taxi fares; small tips for hotel porters and guides.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Street-side coffee ceremony or takeaway paper cup from a kiosk — about 10–15 ETB.
Injera with shiro or tibs from a local canteen — about 80–120 ETB.
A main of kitfo or pasta dish at a casual eatery — about 150–200 ETB.
Along Bole Road and around Piazza area: corn on the cob, roasted peanuts, sambusas for 5–20 ETB.
Supermarkets like Shoa, Friendship, or Bambis in Bole and around the city centre.
Mercato (the huge market) and smaller shops on Bole Road for jeans, shirts, and shoes at low prices.
Blue minibuses (taxis) cost about 5–10 ETB per ride within the city; from Bole Airport, a blue minibus to Bole area is about 10 ETB.
Always negotiate taxi fares before getting in; eat at local injera houses not hotel restaurants; buy bottled water from small shops rather than tourist stalls.
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 TZ Hotel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 572 m · ~7 min walk — pharmacy · Ze Gelia Pharmacy — 701 m · ~9 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 TZ Hotel?
Request a room on the first floor for easier access to the lift and less chance of noise from the service entrance on the ground floor.
Which rooms should I avoid at TZ Hotel?
Avoid rooms near the lift as it can be noisy, especially during peak hours.
Is TZ Hotel noisy?
The hotel's location on Rwanda Street, near Bole Road, means that rooms facing the street may be affected by traffic noise.
Which rooms have the best views at TZ Hotel?
Rooms on the top floor may offer a view of the surrounding cityscape.
What are insider tips for staying at TZ Hotel?
Take advantage of the free on-site parking, but be aware that it's first-come, first-served and not reserved. Consider checking in earlier to secure a room on a higher floor, as the lift can be a bottleneck during peak hours.
What time is check-in at TZ Hotel?
Check-in at TZ Hotel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does TZ Hotel have Wi-Fi?
Free basic Wi-Fi for all rooms and lobby. Average speed 10 Mbps down, 5 Mbps up. No login required – just accept terms on the portal.
Is there a city or tourist tax at TZ Hotel?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near TZ Hotel?
Injera with shiro or tibs from a local canteen — about 80–120 ETB.
What is the cheapest way to get around from TZ Hotel?
Blue minibuses (taxis) cost about 5–10 ETB per ride within the city; from Bole Airport, a blue minibus to Bole area is about 10 ETB.
When is the best time to visit Addis Ababa?
OctoberNovemberFebruary
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.