JUNE 2019

FINDING
A HOTEL
IN ADDIS
ABABA
The #1 Ultimate Guide to
picking the best hotel in
addis ababa, Ethiopia

Prepared by: Valerie Bowden

Digital Marketing Stategy

Approved by:  Best Western Plus

Addis Ababa
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INTRODUCTION TO
HOTELS IN ADDIS ABABA
If you’re planning a trip to Ethiopia, there are a
lot of logistical challenges, not the least of which
includes where to stay in Addis Ababa.

The good news is there are a lot of options. And

regardless of where you end up, you’re bound to
love the warm and friendly Ethiopian culture. 

HOW DO YOU PICK?

There are more than 300 hotels in Addis Ababa,
Ethiopia. With so many options, it can be hard to
pick the right one. It’s an important decision
though. 

The hotel you stay at can make or break your

trip. Especially in a country like Ethiopia, where
you probably don’t speak the native language and
it could be your first time here (or even your first
time in Africa), it is critical to find the perfect
place to stay. 

But how do you pick? This is a definitive guide to

help you understand the best hotels in Addis
Ababa. Find your home away from home without
the stress and enjoy your Ethiopian holiday.
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03

ABOUT ADDIS ABABA

Addis Ababa, the New York of Africa, nicknamed
“Shegar" by locals is the capital of Ethiopia.
It’s the fifth highest capital city in the world at
2355 MASL. There is an estimated 7 million
people living in Addis Ababa.

That’s about half the population of Tokyo. To put

it in another way, Addis Ababa and Chicago are
almost the same size (around 500 km2), but there
are 2.5 times more residents in Addis.

There are a lot of things to do in Addis Ababa.

Although the most popular pastime is drinking
coffee in a cafe. Which is fitting since Ethiopia
was the first country to discover coffee.

POLITICS:
Addis Ababa carries significant political
importance. Partly because it’s home to the
African Union (AU) which is an enormous
institution that dictates policies and implements
programs across the continent.

Because of that, most embassies are double in

size--regular consular/visa services plus a
dedicated wing serving the AU. Because of
Ethiopia’s growing size and rapid economic
development, Addis Ababa has been visited by
many leaders like President Obama in 2015.
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04
WHO LIVES HERE?
These days Addis Ababa is a bit
of a melting pot. You’ll find
people from every country and
Ethiopians from every one of
their 80 tribes calling it home.
It also welcomes immigrants from surrounding
African and Middle Eastern countries (with
Eritrean, South Sudanese, and Syrians topping
the list). The diverse city contributes and still
reflects the beauty of the Ethiopian culture.

HISTORY OF HOTELS
The first hotel in Addis Ababa, Taitu Hotel, was
founded by Empress Taitu in 1905. Hotels have
popped up ever since thanks to the influx of
international tourists.

1990: 64,000 tourists

2013: 680,000 tourists
2024: 815,000 tourists (estimated)

If the 2024 estimated figure is correct, it will

contribute USD$2 billion to Ethiopia’s GDP. In the
next five years, the hotel industry is expected to
create over 1 million jobs which is almost 4% of
total employment.
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WHO OWNS THE HOTELS?
Different players including local entrepreneurs,
international brand chains, & the government.

Although since 1995, the government has

privatized 34 previously government owned
hotels as an overall movement to stimulate the
private sector.

STAR RATING SYSTEM

Despite hundreds of hotels in Addis Ababa,
almost half of them aren’t eligible for a star
rating. This is according to the Ethiopian Ministry
of Culture and Tourism who trained 50 local
assessor to conduct the first star rating program
in 2014. Most cited non-compliant fire, hygiene,
and sanitation requirements for reasons of
denial.

A hotel has to have at least 11 rooms to be

considered. After that, it is assessed on 12
different categories like parking, gardening,
safety and security, housekeeping, the kitchen,
and more. Criteria like decor, lighting, escalators,
and size of space also contribute into the
decision.

The evaluations add up to a total score of 2249

points correlating with an overall star number &
title. Hotels receive their final grade based on
their overall percentage of the total points
possible.
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STAR RATINGS:
5 Stars "Exceptional" 80%
4 Stars "Excellent" 70%
3 Stars "Very Good" 60%
2 Stars "Good" 50%
1 Star "Acceptable" 30%

PICKING A HOTEL:
As a tourist, the floor tile used in a hotel (which
yes-- can contribute to a star rating) might not be
your most important criteria. According to the
Hospitality Net, most travelers choose a hotel
based on 5 criteria including:

1. VALUE FOR MONEY:

It’s important to pick a hotel in Addis Ababa that

has a competitive and affordable price. The price
can fluctuate depending on the season (it’s
usually cheaper in the summer which coincides
with Ethiopia’s rainy season).

2. LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION:

Traffic can be extremely slow and time

consuming so it is important to choose a hotel in
Addis Ababa that is in a good location within
walking distance of main attractions and
restaurants. 

Most travelers enjoy “Bole Area” best because it’s

close to the airport, shopping, restaurants, and
dozens of cafes.
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3. SAFETY & ACCESSIBILITY:

Addis Ababa is generally quite safe especially in

the daytime. But the nicer areas of town include
Bole, Sarbet, Old Airport, and Kasanchies. Most
hotel options are only in Bole or Kasanchies
though. Old airport has none. Sarbet has only a
few. They are still nice neighborhoods to explore,
but won’t offer much in terms of places to stay.

The big choice will come down to Kasanchies

verse Bole. Bole has more options of restaurants
and cafes.That’s why, whatever hotel you choose,
most traveler do indeed prefer Bole.

4. TYPE OF ACCOMMODATION:

Travelers also pay attention to the type of

accommodation. For example a family with small
children doesn’t want to stay in a backpacker
hostel.  Most hotels will meet a wide variety of
customers. You can tailor your accommodation
even more by choosing the right room type.

Typically, most hotels in Addis Ababa offer rooms

for singles, for couples, with twin beds, deluxe
rooms with more space, or suites that includes a
living room.

5. EASE OF RELIABILITY AND BOOKING:

Travelers also want to stay in a hotel with easy

booking and ability to refund in case of
cancellation. For this reason, international brands
can be easier to work with.
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EXTRA CRITERIA:
WHEN LOOKING FOR A HOTEL IN ADDIS ABABA,
THERE ARE OTHER CRITICAL FACTORS.

In emerging countries like

Ethiopia, standards that
international guests expect
might not be widely available
in all hotels. 

1. SAFE & SECURE

Choose a hotel that has a safe in each guest room

(not one at the front desk only). It’s also
important to choose a room with a secure lock--
which believe it or not, isn't everywhere.
2. DISABILITY FRIENDLY

If you are arriving with a wheel chair or mobility

challenge, make sure you choose a hotel with
ease of entrance & width in rooms. As many
hotels & buildings aren't properly equipped.

3. TEMPERATURE SETTING

Addis Ababa has very mild weather so most

facilities don’t have air conditioners or heaters. If
you tend to always run a little hot or a little
cold,  reserve a hotel with temperature settings
in each room.
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If you have a sensitive stomach, it’s best to

choose a hotel that is competent in global food
preparation standards. Breakfast buffets are also
a nice perk for the guest wanting a healthier
morning start--especially since many restaurants
in Addis are known for being a bit too “oily” for
many travelers. 

Additionally, food allergies is a relatively

unknown problem in Ethiopia. If you are highly
sensitive to nuts, gluten, etc. then it is
imperative you choose a hotel with an
international chef who is more likely to
understand and take preventative measures with
allergens.

4.FAST & FREE WIFI

Make sure the hotel has fast and free wifi.

Occasionally, the Ethiopian government has shut
down internet nation-wide. This means even nice
hotels in Addis Ababa will lose wifi for guests,
and there is nothing to do about it. If you see
negative reviews about internet on hotel
platforms make sure it wasn’t during a wifi
outage which would have equally effected
travelers at all hotels.

5. NOISE LEVEL

Addis Ababa is not a quiet city. Car honking, loud

music, and people on megaphones can be heard
at almost anytime of day. For light sleepers, it’s
best to bring ear plugs with you no matter where
you stay. Additionally, it’s important to stay at a
hotel that can block out some of the noise
through double glazed windows.
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RESERVING A ROOM:
THE BEST TIPS TO FOLLOW

When trying to pick a hotel, follow these easy tips

to get the best deal.

1. Check hotel platforms like hotels.com for

reviews, but remember you will get a better
discount if you book directly from the hotel
2. Email the hotel questions before booking. The
speed & quality of the reply will tell you a lot
about the hotel's standards.
3. Reserve your room before arrival. Because big
events can fill up hotels in town quickly.
4. Reserve a free airport shuttle from your hotel
because the airport is overly crowded and
confusing for newcomers

ADDIS VS OTHER CITIES:

The biggest difference between the hotel
industry in Addis vs other African cities is the
lack of brand presence. For example, by 2022,
Addis Ababa is expected to have 30 international
brand franchises. To put that in perspective,
Tanzania currently has around 50, Kenya has
approximately 68, and South Africa has a
staggering 430+ branded hotels.
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BEST WESTERN PLUS
CONSIDER CHOOSING OUR HOTEL IN ADDIS ABABA

The focus of Ethiopia is changing and a new

district is emerging. Contemporary, worldclass,
luxurious, diverse; connected to its heritage and
to the world. At the heart is Best Western Plus
Addis Ababa.  With contemporary mix of bespoke
art and first class comfort, our hotel is an oasis
welcoming business and leisure travers to this
most timeless of cities. 

HUMBLE BEGINNINGS
We are apart of an exclusive group of 4000+
independent owned hotels located in the world’s
most stylish destinations. Started in 1946 in
Phoenix, Arizona with just one hotel, we are
proud to be celebrating 70 years of hospitality
across 100+ countries.

OUR TEAM
At the helm is newly appointed General Manager,
Ivan Luna, who is from Spain. With years of
experience in hospitality, he is excited to infuse
touches of European elegance with the word-
class experience you expect from Best Western
Plus. Our team also has several experts from
Turkey, as well as our lovely Ethiopian staff
bringing you the world class hospitality this
country is known for.
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LOCATION IS EVERYTHING
Perfectly situated to enhance all Ethiopia has to
offer, we are the ideal base from which to
explore Addis Ababa.  Located approximately 1
km away from the airport in the Bole
neighborhood, we are next door to the top malls,
movie theaters, restaurants and cafes.

The hotel is just 5 minutes from the European

Union by car. The headquarters of the African
Union, the United Nations Economic Commission
and UNECA Conference Center are also within
easy reach.

DISCOVER A HOST OF NEARBY ATTRACTIONS:

National Museum Holy Trinity Cathedral 
Red Terror Museum Medhane Alem Cathedral 
Ethnological Museum Friendship Business Center
Mausoleum of Menelik II Edna Mall
National Palace Makush Art Gallery
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OUR ROOMS:
WELCOMING, COMFORTABLE, AND MODERN.

Our rooms are designed for the modern traveler,

but also to take advantage of our location and the
views across the city. Light, airy, and contemporary,
they showcase Addis Ababa at its very best.

The hotel offers an option of 5 room types:

104 Standard Rooms

40 Single Rooms
40 Double Rooms
24 Twin Rooms
48 Deluxe rooms
8 Corner Suites that include a private living room

Every room is equipped with:

Private Balcony
High Speed Wifi
Room Controlled Air Conditioning
24 hour room service
In-Room Safe 
Tea & coffee Maker
Mini-bar
Double Glazed Windows (for a quieter room)
Guests will enjoy complimentary:
Power breakfast buffet
Airport shuttle service
Access to the Health Centre
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MOUTH-WATERING FOOD
Our restaurants & bars provide
an experience of world class
gastronomy, from Turkish
contemporary cuisine to an
international menu.

Each space is inspired and named after a location

in Addis Ababa:

Ferenssaye Legasseion offers indoor and outdoor

seating, and is a cafe, bar, and restaurant all in
one. It’s an inviting and lively setting. It also
features the best Happy Hour in all of Addis
Ababa.

home is the comfort and class you crave while

traveling. For dinner, enjoy our cultural touches
that feature a different international cuisine each
night.

Janmeda, set on top of the 10th floor with views

of the city and surrounding hills, is the perfect
place for a romantic date, a large group outing,
or to catch up on your favorite sports.

Sweet Dreams is our pasty shop to indulge your

sweet tooth with the most mouth-watering, out-
of-this world desserts.
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OUR TURKISH CHEF

Coming all the way from Turkey, our global chef
creates delicious food from all over the world. 

Our chef is also trained to provide gluten-free,

allergen-free, and vegan options for all our
guests.

DINING IN THE CITY:

Guests wanting to explore the city and grab a
bite to eat outside the hotel can enjoy the
fabulous nearby restaurants. Authentic Italian,
Arabic, and Asian food are just some of the
options.

There is also several tasty Ethiopian and

vegetarian-friendly restaurants nearby. If you’re
craving something familiar, Pizza Hut is located
directly across the street.

NIGHTLIFE IN ADIDS:
Guests wanting to enjoy the lively Addis Ababa
nightlife will find us perfectly situated near
lounges, bars, and clubs. Most are within walking
distance or under 5 minutes away by taxi.
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HEALTH CENTER
We have space to relax, to exercise, and to be
pampered. 

The Best Western Plus Addis Ababa Health Center

embraces the philosophy of living well. Our
sublime spa enriches and renews the body, mind,
and soul. 

It includes choice of sauna, steam, and massage.

Keep fit and have fun at our state of the art 24
hour gym supported by our personal trainer.

OUR SOCIAL IMPACT

Best Western Plus is proud to create jobs and
employment opportunities with competitive and
fair wages in Addis Ababa. Our aim is to grow
with societies and communities in which we take
part. 

Just one of the ways we achieve this is by

supporting locals artists and change makers
engaged in animal conservation, community
programs, & women empowerment.

We also work hard on reducing our carbon

footprint and contributing to an eco-friendly
environment.
 JUNE 2019

BEST
WESTERN
PLUS 
Our promise to you:
Convenience. Simplicity. Exceptional Value
and Supreme Service. Whether you want to
meet, dine, or unwind, the hotel provides the
finest amenities and services for your needs at
heart.

Conclusion:
The choice of hotels in Addis Ababa is just as
wide and diverse as this magnificent city.
Wherever you end up, we home you have a
wonderful trip! Best Western Plus Addis Ababa
www.bwplusaddisababa.com

+251 116-671-130
+251 116-671-414

reservations@bwplusaddisababa.com