Magnolia Hotel

Enter the hotel through a wide threshold that gleams from floor to ceiling thanks to its bright lights and tiled floors. Similarly illuminated, the restaurant and bar offer ample seating, either at the polished counter or at a private table. Food here is a nice mix of international favourites, with plenty of local cuisine. The spa/wellness centre is a den of tranquility, with an indoor pool and sauna; book one of the massage treatments for the full monty of pampering. The gym offers a variety of equipment to get your heart pumping, in an air-conditioned climate.

At the higher end of the accommodation scale, you can choose between Ambassador, Executive and Luxury rooms, all of which offer ample square footage (apportioned in descending order) and a glass-enclosed Jacuzzi steam bath. There are also Deluxe twin rooms, furnished with two twin beds, while the Standard room has a double bed. For all, the decor and furniture is top quality and the ensuite facilities offer spacious showers, baths and basins.

For many, Addis Ababa is little more than a stop-over on the way to the country's more alluring sites. The north, which is especially full of churches and monuments, ancient ruins and dramatic mountain landscapes, is one such area, or indeed the south, known for its rich cultures. But to dismiss Addis Ababa as just another city would be a mistake. With clamouring markets, an enticing culture of restaurants and its share of historic monuments, it begs a second glance.