🇪🇹 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Yetam Hotel
📍 XQW8+FR2, Gabon St, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Your stay — Yetam 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 — Yetam Hotel
A dependable mid-range base in Bole, Addis Ababa’s main business and entertainment hub. The lobby is functional, tiled, and busy with travellers and staff moving between the small reception desk and the lift. It suits budget-conscious tourists and short-stay business visitors who want clean rooms, reliable Wi-Fi, and immediate access to the airport (10 minutes by taxi) and the buzzing restaurants and bars on Bole Road.
Chronicles of Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa was founded in 1886 by Emperor Menelik II and his wife Empress Taytu Betul, chosen for its high-altitude pastures and hot springs. The city grew rapidly after the railway reached it in 1917, mixing traditional Ethiopian roundhouses (tukul) with Italian rationalist architecture left from the 1936–41 occupation. Today its skyline is a jumble of glass towers, ageing Soviet-era blocks, and Chinese-funded expressways. The cultural identity remains proudly Ethiopian: coffee ceremonies, Orthodox chants, and the annual Meskel festival dominate public life, even as the city becomes an African Union diplomatic hub.
Best Time to Visit
Full Addis Ababa guide →Best months
October and November: the long rains end in September, so the city is green and clear, crowds are low, and flight/bus connections are reliable. December also works—dry, sunny, and cooler.
Peak / festival surge
January (Ethiopian Christmas – Genna, 7 Jan) and September (Meskel festival, 27 Sep). Hotels fill up with diaspora returnees and pilgrims; prices can double. Book six months ahead.
Budget shoulder season
March and April: still dry, but before the big rains start in June. Fewer tourists than peak months, and hotel rates often drop 20–30%.
Weather & packing
Addis Ababa sits at 2,355m, so mornings are cool (12–15°C) and afternoons can hit 25°C, with sudden heavy showers even in the dry season. Pack layers: a fleece or light jacket, a waterproof shell, and comfortable walking shoes for uneven pavements.
Live City Briefing — Addis Ababa
- The Addis Ababa Light Rail has introduced extended evening services on the east–west line (Ayat–Tor Hailoch), useful for getting from Bole to the city centre after dark.
- Several new coffee shops and co-working spaces have opened on Bole’s ‘Coffee Street’ (around Gabon Road), including a branch of the popular To.mo.c.a chain.
- Construction on the new Meskel Square pedestrian plaza is nearing completion, so expect some street closures and detours around the area during your visit.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Yetam Hotel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on floor 3 or 4 at the rear side of the building (away from Gabon Street). These floors are high enough to reduce street-level noise but still served reliably by the single lift, and the rear aspect faces quieter residential blocks rather than the main road.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on floor 1 or 2 facing Gabon Street – they get the worst of traffic noise, dust, and motorbike horns, and the street parking can lead to late-night door slams and car alarms. Also avoid any room directly adjacent to the lift shaft on any floor; lift traffic is constant.
Best views
Rooms at the rear of the hotel look over a residential courtyard and low-rise buildings, offering a calm, local view. Front-facing rooms see Gabon Street’s constant flow of vehicles and pedestrians – more interesting but dustier and louder.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4 are the quietest – far enough from the street for noticeable noise reduction, still easy to use the single lift, and less foot traffic from ground-floor activity.
🔊 Noise notes
Gabon Street is a busy arterial road in Addis with minibus taxis, tuk-tuks, and honking throughout the day and into the evening. There are two small bars within 50 metres that play music until late on weekends. The single lift is slow and clanks when passing floors, so adjacent rooms hear it. The breakfast area on ground floor starts clattering from 6am.
Insider tips
1. Park on the street but remove all valuables – it’s unsecured. The gate guard at the hotel may keep an eye, but don’t rely on it. For secure parking, walk 500m to the public car park off Bole Road (100 ETB/night). 2. Check-in can be slow – the single receptionist often leaves the desk. Arrive with your booking confirmation ready, and ask for a rear-facing room as early as possible; they go first.
- 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 — Yetam Hotel
Free WiFi for all guests, speed sufficient for browsing and email (approx 10 Mbps download). No login; just accept hotel terms.
One lift serves all floors; no stairs-only sections.
No digital newsstand; one physical copy of The Ethiopian Herald at reception per day (first-come basis).
Check-in from 14:00; early bag drop allowed from 10:00; late check-out until 18:00 costs 500 ETB (subject to availability).
Free storage at front desk for same-day arrival/departure; no overnight storage.
Step-free entrance from street via ramp; lift to all floors; no accessible bathrooms or grab rails in rooms. Wheelchair users may find tight corridors.
No on-site parking; street parking only (free, but unsecured). Nearest public car park 500 m away, 100 ETB/night. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Advance deposit required at booking (varies by rate); incidental hold of 1000 ETB at check-in.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Thehadso International Church (391 m · ~5 min walk)
- Church: Southern Addis Ababa Meserete Kristos Church (1.0 km · ~13 min walk)
- Mosque: Welo Sefer Mosque (1.1 km · ~14 min walk)
- Place of worship: ህያው ቃል ቤተክርስቲያን (1.3 km · ~16 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Demble City Center — 1.4 km · ~17 min walk
Peacock Park — 1.4 km · ~17 min walk
አዲስ አበባ ሙዚየም — 2.2 km · ~28 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 636 m · ~8 min walk
Nile Pharmacy — 380 m · ~5 min walk
Temenja Yazh — 1.2 km · ~16 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Ethiopian Birr, ETB
Change money at Dashen Bank or commercial banks in Bole area for fair rates; avoid airport or hotel bureaux as they give about 10-15% less.
Major hotels and supermarkets accept Visa/Mastercard, but most shops, taxis and street vendors require cash; contactless is rare.
10% is standard in nicer restaurants; taxi drivers don't expect a tip but rounding up is fine; hotel porters/bellboys get 50–100 birr.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A small cup of buna from a street-side coffee stall or kiosk costs around 10–15 birr.
Injera with shiro or a tibs combo from a local cafeteria runs about 80–120 birr.
A main dish like kitfo with bread at an average eatery is about 120–180 birr.
Bole area near the roundabout and around Churchill Avenue have night stalls for pastries, roasted corn and sambusas.
Supermarkets like Shoa Kebele and Safeway in Bole are common and fairly priced.
Try the Mercato districts – Shero Meda for secondhand clothes and fabrics, or Bole’s Shola market for affordable local designs.
Blue minibus taxis (local 'taxis') cost 10–20 birr per ride within the city; from the airport, take a blue minibus toward Bole for 15 birr or a metered yellow cab for about 300–400 birr.
Pay in birr, not dollars, to avoid inflated exchange losses; buy coffee and spices at the Merkato, not tourist shops; use minibus taxis over yellow cabs for short hops.
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 Yetam Hotel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 636 m · ~8 min walk — pharmacy · Nile Pharmacy — 380 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 Yetam Hotel?
Request a room on floor 3 or 4 at the rear side of the building (away from Gabon Street). These floors are high enough to reduce street-level noise but still served reliably by the single lift, and the rear aspect faces quieter residential blocks rather than the main road.
Which rooms should I avoid at Yetam Hotel?
Avoid rooms on floor 1 or 2 facing Gabon Street – they get the worst of traffic noise, dust, and motorbike horns, and the street parking can lead to late-night door slams and car alarms. Also avoid any room directly adjacent to the lift shaft on any floor; lift traffic is constant.
Is Yetam Hotel noisy?
Gabon Street is a busy arterial road in Addis with minibus taxis, tuk-tuks, and honking throughout the day and into the evening. There are two small bars within 50 metres that play music until late on weekends. The single lift is slow and clanks when passing floors, so adjacent rooms hear it. The breakfast area on ground floor starts clattering from 6am.
Which rooms have the best views at Yetam Hotel?
Rooms at the rear of the hotel look over a residential courtyard and low-rise buildings, offering a calm, local view. Front-facing rooms see Gabon Street’s constant flow of vehicles and pedestrians – more interesting but dustier and louder.
What are insider tips for staying at Yetam Hotel?
1. Park on the street but remove all valuables – it’s unsecured. The gate guard at the hotel may keep an eye, but don’t rely on it. For secure parking, walk 500m to the public car park off Bole Road (100 ETB/night). 2. Check-in can be slow – the single receptionist often leaves the desk. Arrive with your booking confirmation ready, and ask for a rear-facing room as early as possible; they go first.
What time is check-in at Yetam Hotel?
Check-in at Yetam Hotel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Yetam Hotel have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi for all guests, speed sufficient for browsing and email (approx 10 Mbps download). No login; just accept hotel terms.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Yetam Hotel?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Yetam Hotel?
Injera with shiro or a tibs combo from a local cafeteria runs about 80–120 birr.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Yetam Hotel?
Blue minibus taxis (local 'taxis') cost 10–20 birr per ride within the city; from the airport, take a blue minibus toward Bole for 15 birr or a metered yellow cab for about 300–400 birr.
When is the best time to visit Addis Ababa?
October and November: the long rains end in September, so the city is green and clear, crowds are low, and flight/bus connections are reliable. December also works—dry, sunny, and cooler.
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.