Lucy Guest House B&B

I’m back in Addis Ababa for my third trip, and Lucy guest house is still a place I’d happily return to. The price is reasonable for such a central spot, with Bole airport about a 15-minute walk away. My room and bathroom were clean, and there was hot water all day for showers. The owner and staff are friendly and helpful, and speak English and Arabic, my mother tongue, very well. I recommend it if you’re traveling on a budget.

The staff are very friendly, and the rooms are nice and clean. There’s a good hot shower and breakfast too. It feels like a great, safe place, though staff warned me to be careful walking around the area because of pickpockets and robberies. The airport is 15-20 minutes away on foot, or 150 birr by taxi. One thing to watch for: paying by card costs an extra $10.

I stayed for 45 days, and it really had a homey feel. The neighborhood felt secure, with plenty of nice restaurants and supermarkets within walking distance. I also felt safe walking around at night and staying out late at the nearby bars. The rooms were clean and quiet, and the staff were really friendly.

A very clean place with great hospitality, and super handy if you’re staying for a while. Banks, bars, phone services, restaurants and malls are all just steps away, and the airport is less than five to seven minutes away. I liked that it sits on a corner with several ways out.