The Best Hotels to Book in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Across the street from Friendship Park and Unity Park Zoo is the stately Sheraton Addis, with a commanding view over much of the city. This hotel is big on amenities, with restaurants dedicated to Italian, Indian and East Asian cuisine, pools with underwater music and a cocktail bar. At the far end of the luxury scale, multi-storey villas with their own pools are available, while the butler service adds an extra dimension of attention to your stay.

If you’re looking for a hotel in close proximity to Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, Sherar Addis Hotel offers a clean and comfortable environment a few minutes away. Some of the rooms have jacuzzi baths and private balconies, while the Roof Lounge is a glitzy, comfortable spot for a cold drink and a decent view of the surrounding neighbourhood.

The combination of a well-respected brand and a central location makes the Hyatt Regency Addis Ababa an obvious choice for many visitors to the Ethiopian capital city. Much as you might expect from a Hyatt Regency hotel, the decor is elegant, blending earthy tones with traditional Ethiopian art – you’ll note the woven crafts. The hotel has an array of amenities, including a live music bar, two restaurants and a pool with a terrace bar.

The Ethiopian Skylight Hotel is so close to the airport in Addis Ababa that you can walk there in ten minutes. As the name suggests, rooms are bathed in natural light during the daytime, thanks to the floor-to-ceiling windows in each of the plush, modern rooms. The common areas are graced by suave, modernist touches; in particular, the creatively lit pillars of the Grand Kitchen restaurant. Try the Ethiopian Taem eatery for a dose of regional culture and cuisine.

For anybody seeking a hotel with a good balance of amenities and budget-friendly pricing, there’s the Capital Hotel and Spa. The spacious rooms, arranged around a central atrium, have rainfall showers, a desk and a mini-fridge. Wellness is an actively pursued ideal at the hotel, with a gym and regular fitness classes, as well as a heated outdoor pool. A complimentary airport transfer shuttle is also available to Capital Hotel guests.

If you’re coming to Addis Ababa to shop, the Best Western is surrounded by malls and offers easy access to the National Stadium. Within, the hotel chain’s signature style is on display – mahogany and cream tones contrast with modern art and warm lighting. Grab an authentic Ethiopian coffee at the Lobby Bar & Cafe, catch a game at the tenth-floor sports bar, or unwind in the steam room after a long day.

Not only is Hilton’s Addis Ababa hotel located right in the city centre, but it’s also set in a sheltered, leafy compound. The cross-shaped outdoor pool, overlooked by loungers on manicured lawns, has a protective ring of trees for an added sense of seclusion. Apartments with kitchens are available, but guests can avail themselves of the 24-hour room service or try Ethiopian dishes, such as shiro wat – a stew of chickpeas, minced onion and garlic – at the Kaffa House restaurant.

Catering equally to business and leisure travellers is the Golden Tulip, where upscale accommodation complements stellar meeting and events spaces, open 24 hours a day. The on-site fitness centre has a good mix of free weights and cardiovascular machines, while the Lemon Bar and Grill is a shrine to all things sport, with large murals of Ethiopian greats and a huge screen for events, in addition to the grill and cocktail menus.