[Rapids]

My husband and I stayed at the CITY GUESTHOUSE (no internet site) on Bole road about 5 minutes from the airport in Apr '09.

Our room consisted of a good sized bedroom with a double bed (that was so uncomfortable I had to ask for an extra blanket for cushioning underneath us so I wouldn't feel the springs) and a good sized wardrobe, safe, desk, table and 2 chairs, mini fridge, satellite tv, phone, NO air conditioning. There was a separate bathroom with a shower/tub, toilet and sink.

The common area consisted of a large room with couches and satellite tv, a dining table, a computer and desk with dial-up internet access and a kitchen.

Staff spoke English and were very pleasant and polite.

There are a few restaurants withing walking distance, we highly recommend the Elfign just past the chinese restaurant down the street for a tasty traditional dining experience. 2 of us ate for 136 birr ($13)!!!!!

The room was about $75/day, taxes included.

Next time we go we will try another guest house. This one is near a very large orthodox church and the chanting at the wee hours of the morning kept us up. (not to mention sleeping on a box spring).

[CashCrew]

We stayed at Addis Guest House and it was fantastic! It was $65/night and included a bedroom, large living room, mini kitchen, and a private bathroom. There is a dial up (which in Ethiopia is patchy of course) connection in each suite on the first two floors. It's also located in the Bole area near the airport. The staff was FANTASTIC. They played soccer with my 6yr old son for hours on end and translated for us any time we needed it.

[Rapids]

Thanks for the review, Kelly. I checked out their website and I think we may stay there for our visit in July. They are less expensive than several guesthouses I have been researching. Was the bed comfortable? We would probably be booking a furnished apartment...but we need an extra bed for our 13 year old. Do you know if the couches pull out into beds, or if there is room in the living room to put a cot?

Thanks...Jenny