Golden Tulip Hotel

The hotel has several dining and congregating spaces throughout its multiple levels. The elegant Spice Restaurant on the ground floor offers meals throughout the day, from generous buffet breakfasts to fine-dining à la carte dinners. Lemon Bar & Grill accommodates sports-viewing needs and hearty appetites (excellent burgers and pizzas). Grab-and-Go serves pastries, cakes and Ethiopian espresso. Havanna Bar's plush red sofas and low lighting are perfect for sipping cocktails. The fitness centre is well-equipped to help you burn off kilojoules.

The 90 rooms, furnished with dark wood and rich reds and creams, have a regal air. Seventy Deluxe Rooms sleep two guests comfortably (with an optional convertible sofa for two kids). They have spacious en-suite bathrooms with showers and a double basin. The 15 Executive rooms offer more space and king-sized beds. The top-rated Diplomatic Suites are set on a corner with large bay windows, a spacious lounge and a deep bathtub. Wi-fi, aircon, and satellite TVs are standard.

Addis Ababa may lack the appeal of the country's older cities, but we recommend you spend a day or two in the capital to let it shine. Check out the vibrant Mercato (one of the largest outdoor markets in Africa) to marvel at the colourful spices, sample the phenomenal street food, witness camel traders and haggle with merchants of every kind. Even if you're just passing through, a meal at an authentic local restaurant can satisfy more than your belly.