Haile Grand Addis Ababa — Hotel in Addis Ababa

We paid 2-3 times more than what comparable 5-star hotels charge, yet the service we received didn’t even meet basic expectations. Here's why we can only give this hotel 1 star:

Day 2 – Bar Experience At 6:50 pm, we entered the bar and were seated at a dirty six-person table. We received the menu at 6:55 pm and placed our order (a Pina Colada and a non-alcoholic Mojito) by 7:00 pm. After waiting 20 minutes without receiving our drinks, the manager asked us to move to accommodate new guests (2 vs 2). Offended, we canceled our order. What followed was shocking: despite the "Do Not Disturb" sign on our door, a waiter knocked loudly at 8:05 pm, accusing us of ordering drinks and "running away." His voice was so loud it could be heard down the hallway. This humiliating and unprofessional behavior is unacceptable. Ignoring the “Do Not Disturb” sign and shouting at guests is a serious breach of hotel standards.

Sauna & Relaxation Room Issues The sauna experience was equally frustrating. After my session, I requested a drink and had to wait more than 10 minutes. Only after complaining did I receive my drink—hardly the service you'd expect from a 5-star establishment. The relaxation room had no drinking facilities for female guests, and the staff seemed to treat room guests as though we were using the facilities for free, even though we had paid for them as part of our stay. As a paying guest, I expect proper service, not to be treated like an inconvenience.

Another frustrating incident happened when I requested juice at the start of my sauna session. Despite asking repeatedly, the staff never brought the drink. By the time my sauna session was almost over, I had to run out of the Ladies Spa room, draped in a towel, to the Gent’s Spa room to resolve the situation myself. Worse, there was already a male in the room dealing with an electrical issue (see photo and video for how far I had to go). This level of negligence and lack of concern for guest privacy and comfort is unacceptable.

Swimming Pool Experience At the pool, we were asked to pay over 500 Birr ($5) for a male swim cap—something we’ve never encountered at other 3-5 star hotels, including those in Addis Ababa. It felt absurd, especially since this policy is unique to this hotel. Worse, when we asked if we could get some water while at the pool, the staff told us to order from downstairs, two stories below. They didn’t even offer to help. When I asked about water availability at the gym, the staff simply said, “Maybe." It was clear they lacked proper training. The water machine was just 3 meters away from the desk, yet the staff seemed unaware of its existence. This level of incompetence is unacceptable for a hotel that calls itself 5-star. Umbrella Incident When it started raining, we asked the receptionist if we could borrow an umbrella. She immediately said no, without offering any alternative. We’ve stayed in much lower-rated hotels, even guest houses, where umbrellas were readily provided to guests. After persistence, she finally gave us a broken umbrella that couldn’t be closed. This is not the level of service one expects from a high-end hotel.

On our last day, we received an apology letter from the hotel via a housekeeper. The letter failed to address the major issue we had: why and how a waiter knocked loudly at our door, despite the "Do Not Disturb" sign, 45 minutes after we canceled our bar order. No explanation or specific apology was offered for this humiliating incident.

Final Thoughts For a hotel that claims to be 5-star, they consistently failed to meet even the most basic expectations. The high reviews may be because it is owned by a previous famous marathon runner. Based on our stay, however, this hotel is far from deserving of its supposed 5-star status. Guests paying such high rates deserve much better. The hotel seems woefully unprepared to host international travelers, with poor service, ill-trained staff, and infrastructure issues that overshadow any...

I am a native Ethiopian who travels from the U.S. to Addis once a year to visit my mom. Me and my sister spent about 7 nights at Haile Grand in February 2024 and it blew away our expectations and these are the reasons why. Customer Service - the entire crew (from the busboy to room service to cleaning crew to front desk reception) have been exceptionally friendly, always helpful, and genuinely execute the hotel’s service approach “Yichalal”, which is an Amharic word meaning it is possible. All my asks were always met with a yes response without any reservation by every staff member, and that is very hard to find these days in the service industry. Accommodations- after a very lengthy and tiresome flight from the U.S., we were allowed to have an early check-in and presented with amazingly refreshing fresh juice varieties and warm wet towels for our hands that were relaxing. In addition, since we have a late flight, we were also allowed to have a late check-out time without any issues. Food - there are several food options. There is a HUGE variety of free breakfast buffet with fresh fruits, juice, pastries, Ethiopian traditional breakfast food options, and western breakfast options, all made fresh and truly delicious. Entertainment- the hotel has a cultural restaurant with special cultural nights a few times a week with live traditional entertainment, which I strongly recommend. Amenities - this hotel has it all. From a swimming pool, to a SPA , to a hair salon for the ladies, to a gym, and if you want to get some work done and don’t want to stay in your room, they also have a really nice business center on the first floor. I also want to mention the different types of restaurants, bakery shop, bank, and a very relaxing outside lounge area that is so refreshing.

All in all, this hotel functions as a resort where you don’t have to go too far to get the things you need and makes it very convenient to stay there.

Things that can be improved

From my personal experience, the one major issue I have experienced throughout my stay was the reliability of the WiFi. I complained about 4 times and nothing was fixed until our last day and that is one area that needs major improvement since the network connection was horrible. In addition, all the amenities need to be easily accessible to all. However, the swimming pool, hair salon, and SPA are located on top of a very steep set of stairs, which are not accessible by those who may have physical disabilities and would recommend at least bringing the SPA and hair salon to the main hotel building and making the pathway easily accessible to all.

Overall- this is one of the best experiences I’ve had in a hotel and will definitely stay here during my trip next year. Haile Grand has a customer for...

A Review of HAILE GRAND, ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA 🇪🇹

A Haven of Luxury and Elegance

Haile Grand is a true gem nestled in the north east of Addis Ababa, around Lamberet Bus Station ላም በረት መናኸሪያ.

With its prime location just ten minutes away from the airport, this luxurious establishment offers an unparalleled blend of comfort, sophistication, and impeccable service.

From the moment I stepped into the grand lobby, I was captivated by the exquisite interior design. The elegant décor, coupled with the soothing ambiance created by the live piano performer, instantly transported me to a world of refinement. The spacious and beautifully appointed rooms were a sanctuary of tranquility, featuring luxurious amenities and breathtaking views.

The culinary experience at Haile Grand ኃይሌ ግራንድ is nothing short of exceptional. The restaurant's menu showcases a delightful array of international cuisines, each dish prepared with the utmost care and precision. The quality of the ingredients and the skill of the chefs are evident in every bite. To complement the exquisite food, the hotel's bar offers a wide selection of fine wines and spirits, expertly curated by knowledgeable sommeliers.

One of the highlights of my stay was the delightful experience at the hotel's cafe and coffee shop. The cozy atmosphere, coupled with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee, provided the perfect setting for relaxation and socializing. The baristas were skilled and attentive, crafting beverages that were both delicious and visually appealing.The waiters well wished note when serving "have a great stay መልካም ቆይታ ይሁንልዎ" is really fantamaglories.

The hotel's commitment to providing exceptional service was evident in every interaction with the staff. The waiters were warm, welcoming, and always ready to assist with any request. Their attention to detail and genuine care made me feel truly valued. After or at the middle of the stay, they come and say "how is it, did you like it, any commentp?" is something special we don't get anywhere.

For those seeking a venue for high-level conferences, [Haile Grand ኃይሌ ግራንድ] offers a spacious and well-equipped hall that can accommodate large gatherings with high tech infrastructures. The hotel's security measures are top-notch, ensuring the safety and well-being of guests and attendees.

In conclusion, ኃይሌ ግራንድ Haile Grand Hotel, Addis Ababa is a truly exceptional hotel that offers a luxurious and unforgettable experience.

With its impeccable service, exquisite cuisine, elegant ambiance, and prime location, it is a must-visit destination for discerning travelers.

Give it a try! This review is given by myself: an Ethiopia local guide level 8 reviewer with a total review and photo view of more than 8,000,000 (8 M view).

Peace...