Wassamar Hotel

The multi-level hotel is set around a covered internal courtyard that gets pleasantly drenched with natural light. On the ground floor are several clusters of cushioned chairs and sofas, peppered with a couple of plastic palms bound to invite discussion. The reception desk sits on the perimeter of this space and the hotel's restaurant on its extreme exterior. The menu offers excellent local fare and a few international dishes well. There's a spa, with a steam room and public bath.

The hotel's 66 rooms offer a good standard of comfort in twin, queen and king-sized arrangements. As said before, Wassamar is not the lap of luxury, but it's a very decent option for a night or two. All rooms are furnished with a writing desk and a couple of lounge chairs, equipped with tea and coffee stations and satellite TVs. En-suite bathrooms have showers with decent water pressure. Laundry and room service are available.

Ethiopia is known for its beautiful people, communal cuisine, complex religious background, and as the birthplace of coffee. If you have the time, explore Addis's colourful Mercato – one of the largest outdoor markets in Africa – to see spices and street food, camel traders, and merchants of every kind. Step back into history at the Holy Trinity Cathedral, built to commemorate the end of Italian occupation. The hotel concierge will happily offer directions or arrange a local guide.