Really good location, and interesting background, it isn't as snazzy and it may seem. Food wasn't too bad, service was good and people were friendly. Perfect for a backpacker on a budget, or a first time trip to Addis to be in the center of town. Be careful leaving the hotel, as it is full of foreigners it tends to attract sometimes dodgy locals outside. The best taxi driver that operates outside is called 'Monday', he'll help you out for sure. Try and get a room in the main house, they are x1000 better than the rooms in the back by the building work, for many reasons; less lady's of the night, less extravagant night time activites etc. Sometimes the water turns off, but the showers are hot when they work! I would not be too happy staying there alone though.

Yes, it looks to be a nice place and the oldest hotel in Addis bla bla... But it is the worst hotel I ve had in Ethiopia in 1 month of intensive travelling.


price: waay overpriced ( 350 birr for a double room): for the same price you can get two rooms in similar (better) hotels less than 200 meters away

food:
a la karte: Ok but way overpriced
Buffet: looks good ( specially the vegan food) and price is ok.

service: no doubt the worst we had in Ethiopia and maybe in the world!
examples:
1. booked a room a day before ( and payed for it) only to find out the next day (at 12:00!!) its is not available anymore.
2. no electricity in the bath
3. TV not working
4. used toilet paper and similar unhigenic stuff in the middle of the room!!

last but not least the restaurant service!!
40 minutes for a drink ! 20 minutes for the bill !! ( no joke ) we ate there more than one time and the service was always slow! very slow .. in addition to the fact that the staff does not understand simple english ..
example
please one tea and the bill ( cos we don't want to wait for another hour after we have the tea)
we get ( after more than one hour!) one tee one MILK! and one coffee !!! ( overpriced)

positive: bed sheets are clean, the internet (wifi) works sometimes , and nice atmosphere in the restaurant (if food and service is not a priority for you)

in short: dont go there unless you really have to!

Stayed there earlier this year (2012). Cool place, the oldest hotel in Ethiopia, the reception/restaurant is pretty cool, with original wooden floor and high ceilings. The rooms on the other hand are banged up and the building is literally falling apart, which is a shame since the building is a piece of history. Having said that, it's $10 and I liked it there. It feels like the nerve center for ex-pats and travelers and a popular spot for business and social gatherings. During the hottest parts of the day, the back garden is one of the best places in town to hide from the sun.

Compared to the rest of the country it's over priced, but Addis is more expensive for accommodation... it's still cheap and safe though.

Came to this "hotel" after seeing a good review in Lonely Planet. It's known as the oldest hotel in Addis. From the outside, it looks rather charming.
There were 3 of us. Despite having a room with a double and single bed in it, we were not allowed to share it and had to pay for a double and single room at a cost of around 35 dollars.
Both rooms were beyond basic and delapadated. The bathrooms were no better. The beds seemed critter friendly, like most budget accomadation in Addis.
This place is in dyar need of some maintenance. They can afford to provide personalised bars of soap, not a priority in an establishment like this.
However, the staff were friendly and helpful and well equipped with information.
The buffet breakfast at the restaraunt is poor standard but the lunch/dinner menu is very nice. Although you may need to send your food back to be reheated!!