YINM Luxury Apartment

Whenever I come to Addis, staying there feels like being at home.

The staff sorted out the problems I reported within an hour, doing their best to fix everything, so it turned into a full five-star stay. There were a few things missing when I arrived: the fridge didn't have an adapter, the shower head was disconnected from the tap, and there were no hangers in the clothes drawer. Still, over four nights I had no trouble with the water or electricity, which can happen often in Addis, and the internet connection was good. The apartment itself was spacious and nicely furnished, and I enjoyed my stay.

The apartment was clean and decent, but the customer service was horrible. After I paid for the hotel, my card was charged three times in one day. Breakfast isn't a buffet and isn't free. There are ridiculous extra fees for everything, so pay cash and don't put anything on your room, there's a 50% fee for that.

The coffee was so good that, since getting home over two months ago, I've wished I'd brought back 10 kg instead of the 3 kg I took. Have BASIL restaurant on the main floor custom-roast it for your departure day if you're taking coffee home. The apartments are spacious and well kept, with partly equipped kitchens that work for a stay of a few months. The staff are delightful and eager to sort things out. There's a generator when grid power cuts out, and the internet was reliable about 75% of the time, which is good by Addis standards. Daily housekeeping was dependable and thorough when requested, with no theft incidents at all. I'd definitely return. Nearby there's a mall with a fitness centre, and an Orthodox temple where chanting carries on at night, so bring earplugs. For Addis, this is a great result, about 5 stars by African standards and 3.5-4 by world standards.