Sapphire Addis Hotel

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.

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.