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For reliable, efficient and refined hospitality, Sapphire Addis Hotel is up there with the best international hotels in Ethiopia's capital city. But unlike many of its ilk, it has a personality and human side that establishments of this size often lack. With excellent facilities and a central location just a kilometre from Bole Airport, a helpful concierge service and an overall welcoming atmosphere, Sapphire will not disappoint. You can rest assured your stay will go smoothly, whether you've booked for a quick turnaround or a lengthier visit.
From $70 person/night
Its central location makes the Sapphire a great choice if you're here to do some Addis exploration. The on-site restaurants are good, but the city has such a diversity of eateries, bars and music it would be a pity not to experience them as the locals do.
Convenient on-site facilities like a spa and gym are ideal to recover from a long flight or road trip.
The staff here are, all in all, extremely warm and accommodating. A sweet touch comes at bedtime, when you return to your room to find a rose and a chocolate on your turned-down bed.
The towering facade of Sapphire Addis gleams imposingly on a corner plot overlooking the city. The ground-floor coffee shop serves only the best brews and a selection of sweet treats. Two restaurants, The Emerald and The Pearl Mediterranean, serve refined European and traditional fare (the ninth-floor Pearl has the edge on the views). The Morganite Bar shakes up some fancy cocktails; there's a small but well-equipped gym; the spa has professional therapists, a Jacuzzi and a sauna.
The 130 rooms are divided into six categories, from standard double rooms to more luxurious twin and double rooms, suites and apartments with kitchen facilities. All the rooms include continental breakfast, wi-fi and en-suite bathrooms with showers and bathtubs. As a standard, amenities are contemporary and of a high calibre. The higher-end suites are very spacious, with enormous floor-to-ceiling windows and Jacuzzi bathtubs. The plush Angle Side Suite occupies a corner room and has a large living area.
A little luxury goes a long way, especially if you're adventuring around the country. A note: Don't expect super-fast service; life in Ethiopia is laid-back.
Stay for a while and Addis will win you over with its many charms: its beautiful inhabitants, fascinating religious history, coffee and cuisine. Visit the colourful, bustling Mercato, one of the largest outdoor markets on the continent, where you'll be tempted to buy spices, street food, textiles – or a camel. For a good dose of history and awe, and some superlative stained glass windows, step inside the impressive Holy Trinity Cathedral, built to commemorate the end of Italian occupation.
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