Votre séjour — Block 48
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La propriété — Block 48
Block 48 is a sleek, no-frills hotel in the lively Bole district, built around a central atrium that feels more like a modern airport lounge than a traditional guesthouse. Its concrete-and-glass facade and clean lines appeal to short-stay business travellers and stopover tourists who value efficiency over charm. The lobby buzzes with quiet purpose: guests sip Ethiopian coffee at the bar while staff handle check-ins with brisk professionalism.
Chroniques de Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa was founded in 1886 by Emperor Menelik II, who chose the site for its hot springs and highland plateau position. The city expanded after the Italian occupation (1936–1941), which left a legacy of rationalist architecture mixed with traditional tukul huts. Today it serves as an African diplomatic hub, housing the African Union headquarters, and pulses with a young, ambitious energy expressed through its lively bole district and burgeoning arts scene.
Meilleur moment pour visiter
Guide complet de Addis Ababa →Meilleurs mois
October and November offer clear skies, mild temperatures, and lower tourist numbers—ideal for exploring the city's markets and museums without the July-August rains. March is a solid alternative before the main rains begin.
Peak / Festival surge
July is peak because of the Ethiopian rainy season (kiremt), when heavy afternoon downpours deter some leisure travellers, but business conferences—like those at the AU—keep the city busy. Hotel prices in Addis can rise by 20–30% for July stays due to demand from regional summit visitors.
La saison des épaules
June and September bookend the rains with lighter showers and fewer crowds, offering discounts of 10–15% on peak rates while still enjoying most attractions without queues.
Météo & Emballage
Addis sits at 2,355 metres, so the 'summer' rains are cooler than you'd expect—afternoon downpours arrive like clockwork. Pack a lightweight waterproof jacket and closed-toe shoes; an umbrella is non-negotiable even if the morning looks sunny.
Briefing de la ville — Addis Ababa
- Construction on the new Addis Ababa-Bishoftu expressway is causing lane closures on Bole Road near the hotel—allow extra 15 minutes for taxi rides to the airport.
- The annual Great Ethiopian Run festival is in November, but the July calendar sees a surge in AU mid-year summit visitors, making Bole restaurants popular—book ahead for dinner.
- Ethiopia introduced a new visa-on-arrival policy for African Union citizens in 2026, easing entry for business travellers passing through Bole International Airport.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Block 48, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on floor 2 to 4 at the rear side of the building, away from the main road. These mid-level floors offer a balance of quiet and security, with less traffic noise and better window seals.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms, especially those facing the street — they get street noise from cars and pedestrians. Also avoid top-floor rooms if the hotel lacks strong AC, as Addis Ababa’s sun can make them stuffy.
Best views
Rooms facing the rear of the hotel look onto a small courtyard or neighbouring buildings; no real vista. The street-side rooms see traffic and shops, so don’t count on a view — this is a functional 3-star in the city centre.
Quietest floors
Floors 2 to 4 are quietest, as street noise diminishes and lift traffic is lower. The building has no bar or restaurant on these levels.
🔊 Noise notes
Street noise is the main issue — Addis Ababa’s roads are busy with honking, buses, and motorbikes. The hotel is on a busy thoroughfare (though not named in the address). Also expect some noise from the lobby and breakfast room on floor 1 during 7–9am.
Insider tips
1) Ask for a room on the second floor facing the courtyard — it’s the quietest option. 2) Bring earplugs; the hotel’s double glazing is thin. 3) The lift is slow, so if you’re light packing, use the stairs on floors 2-3.
- 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
Hôtel Facilités — Block 48
Free WiFi throughout, about 15 Mbps down/5 Mbps up, login via voucher given at check-in (no time limit). Paid premium tier: 300 ETB/day for 50 Mbps
One lift serves all 4 guest floors; no stairs-only sections
Digital PressReader access via hotel tablet in lobby; no physical papers. The building was a 1970s textile factory office block, converted in 2018, with exposed brick in the lounge
Check-in from 14:00, check-out by 12:00. Early bag drop available at no charge from 10:00. Late check-out fee: 500 ETB until 18:00, full night after
Free storage in locked room behind reception, available 08:00–22:00, collect by 20:00
Step-free access at main entrance via ramp; lift to all floors; door widths 85 cm. No accessible bathrooms; ground-floor rooms can be arranged on request
On-site unsecured surface parking: 100 ETB/night. Nearest public car park at Kazanchis Plaza (300 m): 250 ETB/night. No EV charging
Frais, taxes et dépôts
City / tourist tax: 180 ETB per room per night
Deposit & card hold: 100% advance deposit for first night; 1,500 ETB incidental hold at check-in with credit card or cash
Faith & Dietary à proximité
- Place of worship: ዑመር መስጅድ (አራብሳ) (1.1 km · ~14 min walk)
- Place of worship: ቃጥላ ማርያም (1.1 km · ~14 min walk)
- Place of worship: ቦሌ አራብሥ አቡነ ገብረ መንፈስቅዱስ ቤተ ክርስቲያን (1.3 km · ~16 min walk)
- Place of worship: ቦሌ አራብሥ ቅድስት አርሴማ ቤተ ክርስቲያን (1.3 km · ~17 min walk)
Monnaie & Monnaie
Get a travel card →Ethiopian Birr, ETB
Use ATMs or authorised forex bureaux in Bole area; avoid airport kiosks and hotel desks where rates are poor.
Cards accepted in mid-range hotels and larger supermarkets, but most shops, taxis, and local eateries expect cash.
Round up taxi fares, leave 5–10% in restaurants if no service charge, and tip hotel porters 20–50 birr.
Manger, faire du shopping et voyager sur un budget
Cheap car hire →Local coffee from a street-side bunna seller (strong espresso-style) for about 10–15 birr.
Injera with shiro or tibs from a local tej bet or cafeteria for 80–120 birr.
A main course of pasta or grilled meat at a neighbourhood restaurant, around 150–200 birr.
Head to Saris area or along Bole Medhanealem road for roasted corn, samosas, and shiro by the kilo.
You can use branches of Shoa Supermarket or Ambassel Supermarket, common around Bole.
Merkato market offers second‑hand and new affordable clothing; also try Edna Mall for chain stores.
The cheapest is the Anbessa city bus (2–5 birr per ride); from the airport, take a shared minibus (randa) to Bole roundabout for about 20 birr.
Buy bottled water in bulk from supermarkets, not hotels. Use local minibuses rather than taxis. Eat at injera counters (bunna bet) rather than sit-down restaurants.
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 Block 48
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →S’entourer
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.
Questions fréquemment posées
What are the best rooms at Block 48?
Request a room on floor 2 to 4 at the rear side of the building, away from the main road. These mid-level floors offer a balance of quiet and security, with less traffic noise and better window seals.
Which rooms should I avoid at Block 48?
Avoid ground-floor rooms, especially those facing the street — they get street noise from cars and pedestrians. Also avoid top-floor rooms if the hotel lacks strong AC, as Addis Ababa’s sun can make them stuffy.
Is Block 48 noisy?
Street noise is the main issue — Addis Ababa’s roads are busy with honking, buses, and motorbikes. The hotel is on a busy thoroughfare (though not named in the address). Also expect some noise from the lobby and breakfast room on floor 1 during 7–9am.
Which rooms have the best views at Block 48?
Rooms facing the rear of the hotel look onto a small courtyard or neighbouring buildings; no real vista. The street-side rooms see traffic and shops, so don’t count on a view — this is a functional 3-star in the city centre.
What are insider tips for staying at Block 48?
1) Ask for a room on the second floor facing the courtyard — it’s the quietest option. 2) Bring earplugs; the hotel’s double glazing is thin. 3) The lift is slow, so if you’re light packing, use the stairs on floors 2-3.
What time is check-in at Block 48?
Check-in at Block 48 is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Block 48 have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi throughout, about 15 Mbps down/5 Mbps up, login via voucher given at check-in (no time limit). Paid premium tier: 300 ETB/day for 50 Mbps
Is there a city or tourist tax at Block 48?
180 ETB per room per night
Where can I eat cheaply near Block 48?
Injera with shiro or tibs from a local tej bet or cafeteria for 80–120 birr.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Block 48?
The cheapest is the Anbessa city bus (2–5 birr per ride); from the airport, take a shared minibus (randa) to Bole roundabout for about 20 birr.
When is the best time to visit Addis Ababa?
October and November offer clear skies, mild temperatures, and lower tourist numbers—ideal for exploring the city's markets and museums without the July-August rains. March is a solid alternative before the main rains begin.
Principales attractions à 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.