Your stay — Upside APARTMENT አኘ ሳይድ
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The Property — Upside APARTMENT አኘ ሳይድ
Upside APARTMENT አኘ ሳይድ is a no-frills, clean, three-star apartment-hotel in Addis Ababa's Bole district, close to the international airport and the city's main commercial strip. It offers self-contained studio and one-bedroom units rather than standard hotel rooms, which suits independent travellers, layover passengers, and small groups who want a kitchenette and separate living space without paying for a full-service property. The lobby is functional and modest, with a reception desk, a few chairs, and the feel of a well-run city crash pad rather than anything decorative. This place works best if you're looking for convenience and basic comfort, not charm or character.
Chronicles of Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa was founded in 1886 by Emperor Menelik II and Empress Taytu Betul, who was drawn to the area's hot springs; the name means 'new flower' in Amharic. The city expanded rapidly after the Italian occupation (1936–41), which left a legacy of Fascist-era architecture around Piazza and Arada. Post-imperial growth under the Derg and the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front turned it into a sprawling, high-altitude metropolis, now home to the African Union headquarters and a thriving arts and café culture. Today's Addis mixes grand modernist buildings with low-rise concrete and eucalyptus-covered hills, and its identity is defined by its role as continental diplomatic hub and its fiercely independent coffee-and-music scene.
Best Time to Visit
Full Addis Ababa guide →Best months
October to February: dry, sunny and cool (highs around 22°C), with clear skies and no heavy rain. This period also overlaps with the Great Ethiopian Run (November) and fewer crowds than the summer holiday peak.
Peak / festival surge
June to August: the main rainy season (kiremt), though 'rainy' means heavy afternoon downpours rather than constant wet. July and August are the busiest months for business and AU conferences, so hotel prices can rise 20-30% and availability drops. The Timkat (Epiphany) celebrations in January also spike demand for a short period.
Budget shoulder season
March to May: the short rains and evenings can be unpredictable, but you'll often get decent weather with lower room rates and fewer tourists. September to early October is also lean, after the long rains end but before the high season begins.
Weather & packing
Addis Ababa sits at 2,355 metres, so it's much cooler than its equatorial latitude suggests — daytime temps rarely exceed 25°C and nights drop to 10°C. Pack layers: a fleece or light jacket for evenings, and always carry a rainproof shell or umbrella from June to September.
Live City Briefing — Addis Ababa
- The new light-rail extension along Bole Road is now fully operational, making airport-to-city-centre trips faster and cheaper — but be aware of peak-hour crowding on the trains.
- Several coffee shops and local eateries have opened on the stretch of Cameroon Street south of the hotel, offering a better alternative to breakfast at the property's own limited buffet.
- Addis Ababa's city government has introduced a new digital payment requirement for taxis and ride-hailing services; make sure your local SIM or e-wallet is set up in advance to avoid cash-only frustrations.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Upside APARTMENT አኘ ሳይድ, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
request top-floor rooms (fifth floor) — the lift goes all the way, so you get less street noise from Bole Road and no footsteps above you.
Rooms to avoid
ground-floor rooms near the entrance — noise from the side ramp entrance and people coming/going; also avoid rooms on the first floor directly above the lift lobby where you'll hear the lift mechanism and waiting guests.
Best views
rooms facing south (towards Bole Road) give a view over the street and city roofs — rooms facing north look onto neighbouring buildings; there's no notable landmark from this address.
Quietest floors
floors 4 and 5 — furthest from street-level noise and any lobby activity.
🔊 Noise notes
Bole Road is a main artery in Addis Ababa — expect traffic rumble, honking, and occasional music from nearby bars or shops, especially in the evening. The lift is audible in adjacent rooms on floors 1-3.
Insider tips
1. Skip the car park 400 m south on Bole Road if you can — street parking on side roads is often free overnight, but check for security. 2. WiFi login uses your room number and surname — note that speeds are 10/4 Mbps, fine for email and browsing but not for streaming HD.
- 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 — Upside APARTMENT አኘ ሳይድ
Free for all guests; typical speed 10 Mbps download, 4 Mbps upload; login via room number and surname
One lift serves all 5 floors; no stairs-only sections
No complimentary newspapers; no digital newsstand
Check-in 14:00–22:00; early bag-drop available from 10:00 for no charge; late check-out until 14:00 costs 500 ETB
Free storage in locked room behind reception
Step-free entry via side ramp; lift accessible; no adapted bathrooms or grab rails in standard rooms
No on-site parking; nearest public car park is 400 m south on Bole Road (100 ETB per night); no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking; 2000 ETB incidental hold on credit card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Place of worship: አንፎ ቅዱስ ኡራኤል ቤተ ክርስቲያን (315 m · ~4 min walk)
- Place of worship: አንፎ ድልድይ መስጅድ (926 m · ~12 min walk)
- Place of worship: አለም ባንክ ቅድስት ሥላሴ ቤተክርስቲያን (1.6 km · ~20 min walk)
- Place of worship: አለም ባንክ ቅድስት ማርያም ቤተ ክርስቲያን (1.7 km · ~21 min walk)
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 1.7 km · ~21 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Ethiopian Birr, ETB
Use bank ATMs in Bole area for best rates; avoid airport exchange booths and tourist bureaux as they give poor rates.
Cards accepted in upscale hotels and supermarkets in Bole, but most local shops, taxis, and street vendors require cash; mobile pay is rare.
Restaurants: 10% if no service charge; taxis: round up fare; hotel staff: 20-50 ETB per service.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A traditional coffee at a local kiosk (buna) costs around 10-15 ETB, often served with a small snack.
Injera with wat or a shiro plate from a local tej bet or cafeteria: 80-120 ETB.
A main of tibs or pasta at a modest restaurant: 120-180 ETB.
Street food stalls cluster along Bole Road and near Edna Mall; find sambusas, roasted maize, and fresh fruit juices.
Common budget supermarkets in the area include Shoa, Bambis, and Yeshi.
Affordable clothing at Merkato (a short minibus ride away) or at Bole's local markets; avoid brand-name tourist shops.
Minibus taxis (blue/white) cost 5-10 ETB per ride within Bole; from the airport, take the public minibus (route 1 or 4) to Bole for 10 ETB.
Always carry small bills as change is scarce; haggle at markets but not at fixed-price shops; eat at local kiosks rather than tourist cafes.
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 Upside APARTMENT አኘ ሳይድ
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 1.7 km · ~21 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Upside APARTMENT አኘ ሳይድ?
request top-floor rooms (fifth floor) — the lift goes all the way, so you get less street noise from Bole Road and no footsteps above you.
Which rooms should I avoid at Upside APARTMENT አኘ ሳይድ?
ground-floor rooms near the entrance — noise from the side ramp entrance and people coming/going; also avoid rooms on the first floor directly above the lift lobby where you'll hear the lift mechanism and waiting guests.
Is Upside APARTMENT አኘ ሳይድ noisy?
Bole Road is a main artery in Addis Ababa — expect traffic rumble, honking, and occasional music from nearby bars or shops, especially in the evening. The lift is audible in adjacent rooms on floors 1-3.
Which rooms have the best views at Upside APARTMENT አኘ ሳይድ?
rooms facing south (towards Bole Road) give a view over the street and city roofs — rooms facing north look onto neighbouring buildings; there's no notable landmark from this address.
What are insider tips for staying at Upside APARTMENT አኘ ሳይድ?
1. Skip the car park 400 m south on Bole Road if you can — street parking on side roads is often free overnight, but check for security. 2. WiFi login uses your room number and surname — note that speeds are 10/4 Mbps, fine for email and browsing but not for streaming HD.
What time is check-in at Upside APARTMENT አኘ ሳይድ?
Check-in at Upside APARTMENT አኘ ሳይድ is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Upside APARTMENT አኘ ሳይድ have Wi-Fi?
Free for all guests; typical speed 10 Mbps download, 4 Mbps upload; login via room number and surname
Is there a city or tourist tax at Upside APARTMENT አኘ ሳይድ?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Upside APARTMENT አኘ ሳይድ?
Injera with wat or a shiro plate from a local tej bet or cafeteria: 80-120 ETB.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Upside APARTMENT አኘ ሳይድ?
Minibus taxis (blue/white) cost 5-10 ETB per ride within Bole; from the airport, take the public minibus (route 1 or 4) to Bole for 10 ETB.
When is the best time to visit Addis Ababa?
October to February: dry, sunny and cool (highs around 22°C), with clear skies and no heavy rain. This period also overlaps with the Great Ethiopian Run (November) and fewer crowds than the summer holiday peak.
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.