Desalegn 2 Hotel

Addis Ababa


Refurbished in 2012, this large business hotel is already showing signs of age. The rooms are large and we like the balconies with reasonable city views (ask for a north-facing room), but they're wearing faster than they should and the lobby is crowded and comes with kitchen smells. Yes, the rooms are slightly overpriced, but it's still not a bad deal for Addis.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Addis Ababa attractions

1. Addis Ababa Museum

1.29 MILES

Despite only being founded on Addis' centenary in 1986, the Addis Ababa Museum is the city’s scruffiest museum. That said, perusing candid portraits of…

2. 'Red Terror' Martyrs Memorial Museum

1.33 MILES

‘As if I bore them all in one night, they slew them in a single night.’ These were the words spoken by the mother of four teenage children all killed on…

3. Africa Hall

1.46 MILES

Built in 1961 by Emperor Haile Selassie, Africa Hall (near Meskal Sq) is the seat of the UN’s Economic Commission for Africa (ECA). The Italian-designed…

5. Presidential Palace

1.67 MILES

This is where the Ethiopian president lives. Don't even think of taking a photo.

6. Bete Maryam Mausoleum

1.91 MILES

The Bete Maryam Mausoleum is located just south of Menelik’s palace and offers what could be an enchantingly eerie experience for travellers (were it not…

7. Lion of Judah Monument

1.95 MILES

Long the symbol of Ethiopia’s monarchy, the Lion of Judah is ubiquitous throughout the country – and although images of the almighty animal abound in…

8. Tomb of Sylvia Pankhurst

2.2 MILES

Facing the entrance to the Holy Trinity Cathedral is the tomb of the famous British suffragette Sylvia Pankhurst. Pankhurst was one of the very few people…