🇪🇹 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Zee Home
📍 House 220, Kirkos Subcity, Woreda 01, አዲስ አበባ, Ethiopia
Photo: official website
Your stay — Zee Home
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 — Zee Home
Zee Home is a cheerfully no-frills 3-star guesthouse in Addis Ababa’s Bole district: clean white walls, polished concrete floors, and a small lobby with a single worn leather sofa where staff greet you by name. It suits budget-conscious travellers who want a reliable, fuss-free base near the airport without paying for a chain hotel. The USP is its consistency — you get a sturdy bed, a decent breakfast of firfir and eggs, and staff who’ll book you a minibus to Lalibela without upselling.
Chronicles of Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa was founded in 1886 by Emperor Menelik II on a site chosen by his wife, Empress Taytu Betul, drawn to the hot springs and eucalyptus-covered hills. It grew rapidly after the Italo-Ethiopian wars, with wide boulevards and Italian rationalist buildings from the 1930s occupation still visible around Piazza. Post-1991, the city embraced modern glass towers for banks and hotels, but retains a fragmented character of tin-roofed neighbourhoods alongside high-rise development. Today it’s the diplomatic capital of Africa, home to the African Union headquarters, and a cultural hub where jazz clubs and coffee ceremonies happen on the same street.
Best Time to Visit
Full Addis Ababa guide →Best months
October and November for clear skies after the long rains, plus February for the driest, warmest days with the clearest views of the Entoto hills.
Peak / festival surge
August is the tail end of the rainy season for the Great Ethiopian Run (November is a bigger jog-tourism peak), but the real price spike hits in January for Timkat (Epiphany) when hotel rates can double; book four months ahead for the 19–20 January festival.
Budget shoulder season
May and September: May has light showers but fewer tourists, September sees the rains easing and hotels often offer 20–30% discounts before the October high season.
Weather & packing
Addis sits at 2,355 metres so afternoons are warm but mornings and evenings are chilly, often dropping to 10°C — bring a lightweight fleece and a waterproof shell year-round, even in the dry season, because sudden hailstorms can hit any month.
Live City Briefing — Addis Ababa
- The Bole Ring Road flyover near the hotel is nearing completion; expect occasional traffic delays from road works on Airport Road through June 2026.
- Addis Ababa’s Light Rail extension to Megenagna opened in early 2026, adding a direct line from the hotel area to the city centre for 6 birr, though stations still lack full signage.
- The government’s foreign-currency shortage persists; bring crisp US dollars (post-1973, no tears) to exchange for better rates at banks than ATMs, which often have low cash limits.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Zee Home, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the second or third floor facing the inner courtyard (away from Bole Road). These rooms get less street noise, and the upper floors have better natural light. Room 201 or 301 are good bets if available.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid Room 101 (ground floor, adjoining the accessible room — can get foot traffic noise near reception). Also avoid any room directly facing Bole Road on the first floor, as sound from the busy road carries up.
Best views
Rooms on the third floor facing southeast (towards Bole Atlas area) have a partial view of the Entoto Mountains on a clear day. No rooftop terrace access from the lift, so skip that if you want sunset views — but a third-floor corridor window gives a decent outlook.
Quietest floors
Second and third floors (inner-courtyard side). The lift is single and rarely busy, so upper floors are calm.
🔊 Noise notes
Bole Road is a main arterial: expect honking and buses from 7am to 10pm. The on-site parking for 12 cars can also generate engine and door-slam noise on the ground floor. The lift mechanism is audible in adjacent ground-floor rooms.
Insider tips
1. Park early — free on-site spaces fill by 6pm; if not, the Bole Atlas Car Park (500 ETB/night) is a 3-minute walk, open 24h. 2. The WiFi works best near the lift shaft on upper floors; if you need a steady video call, ask for a room on floor 2 or 3. No login required but you do need to accept terms once — do this at check-in to avoid fuss.
- 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 — Zee Home
Free WiFi throughout, speed around 15 Mbps down / 5 Mbps up. No login needed—just select network and accept terms once.
One elevator serves all three floors; no stairs-only sections.
Complimentary digital access to PressReader (local and international papers) via a QR code at reception. No physical newspapers.
Standard check-in from 14:00. Early bag drop available from 08:00 (no fee). Late check-out by 12:00 costs 500 ETB; after 12:00, charged half-day rate.
Free luggage storage in a locked room off the lobby, available 24 hours.
Step-free access via a ramp at the main entrance. One ground-floor wheelchair-accessible room (Room 101). No lift to rooftop terrace (stairs only).
Free on-site parking for 12 cars (first-come, first-served). Nearest public car park: 'Bole Atlas Car Park', 500 ETB per night, open 24h. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (no city/tourist tax charged in Addis Ababa for 3-star hotels)
Deposit & card hold: First night's rate charged as deposit at booking; 2000 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 banks or Dashen Exchange offices in Bole area; airport rates are poor and private hawala is illegal.
Limited to upscale hotels and some supermarkets; most shops, taxis, and smaller restaurants require cash.
Not expected but appreciated: round up taxi fares, leave 5-10% in restaurants, tip 20-50 birr for hotel porters.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Coffee from a street vendor or local kiosk with sugar — 5-10 birr.
Injera with shiro or a meat stew from a tej bet or butcher's — 50-100 birr.
Tibs or pasta from an ordinary local restaurant — 100-150 birr for a main.
Piazza and Mercato areas have many stalls selling roasted corn, samosas, and fried dough — 5-20 birr per item.
Shoa Supermarket and Friends Supermarket are common chains in this area.
Mercato market for second-hand or affordable new clothes; also side-street stalls in Piazza.
Blue-and-white minibus taxis (10-20 birr per ride) or shared tuk-tuks (20-30 birr). From Bole airport, take a minibus to Piazza for 30 birr.
Pay in cash to avoid card markups. Eat at busy local kiosks rather than tourist spots. 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 Zee Home
🕒 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 Zee Home?
Request a room on the second or third floor facing the inner courtyard (away from Bole Road). These rooms get less street noise, and the upper floors have better natural light. Room 201 or 301 are good bets if available.
Which rooms should I avoid at Zee Home?
Avoid Room 101 (ground floor, adjoining the accessible room — can get foot traffic noise near reception). Also avoid any room directly facing Bole Road on the first floor, as sound from the busy road carries up.
Is Zee Home noisy?
Bole Road is a main arterial: expect honking and buses from 7am to 10pm. The on-site parking for 12 cars can also generate engine and door-slam noise on the ground floor. The lift mechanism is audible in adjacent ground-floor rooms.
Which rooms have the best views at Zee Home?
Rooms on the third floor facing southeast (towards Bole Atlas area) have a partial view of the Entoto Mountains on a clear day. No rooftop terrace access from the lift, so skip that if you want sunset views — but a third-floor corridor window gives a decent outlook.
What are insider tips for staying at Zee Home?
1. Park early — free on-site spaces fill by 6pm; if not, the Bole Atlas Car Park (500 ETB/night) is a 3-minute walk, open 24h. 2. The WiFi works best near the lift shaft on upper floors; if you need a steady video call, ask for a room on floor 2 or 3. No login required but you do need to accept terms once — do this at check-in to avoid fuss.
What time is check-in at Zee Home?
Check-in at Zee Home is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Zee Home have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi throughout, speed around 15 Mbps down / 5 Mbps up. No login needed—just select network and accept terms once.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Zee Home?
None (no city/tourist tax charged in Addis Ababa for 3-star hotels)
Where can I eat cheaply near Zee Home?
Injera with shiro or a meat stew from a tej bet or butcher's — 50-100 birr.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Zee Home?
Blue-and-white minibus taxis (10-20 birr per ride) or shared tuk-tuks (20-30 birr). From Bole airport, take a minibus to Piazza for 30 birr.
When is the best time to visit Addis Ababa?
October and November for clear skies after the long rains, plus February for the driest, warmest days with the clearest views of the Entoto hills.
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.