|
|
|
Ethiopia
Index Travel Links |
|
Hilton
Addis Ababa: Heart of a Great City While
in Addis Ababa, we stayed for one week at the
HIlton Addis and were made very welcome by the
magement and staff. During our stay in Addis, we
visited many of the attractions mentioned below,
including a trip south to the Rift Valley, Crater
Lakes, Debrazeit, Nazaret and the Hot Springs
Resort. This section provides interviews on
properties we have visited, plus profiles, business
cards and listings. The
Hilton Addis Ababa stands 12 stories high and was
opened in 1969 by Emperor Haile Selassie. Together
with the Garden Wing Extension completed in 1987,
the complex offers a total of 402 rooms. The
architectural design is based on the Lalibela Cross
which comes from one of the most popular tourist
attractions in Ethiopia that is considered the 8th
wonder of the world. Addis Ababa in Amharic means
"New Flower" and the city was established in 1886
by Emperor Menelik II on the 8,000 ft. high
Ethiopian Plateau, thus reaping the advantages of
an excellent temperate climate in spite of being
only 8 North of the Equator. The hotel is ideally
situated for exploring Addis Ababa, the capital and
geographical center of Ethiopia. The airport, point
of entry for almost all tourists, is only seven
kilometers away. The National Palace, across
from the Hilton Addis Ababa, was built in 1955.
Opposite the Palace stands the Economic Commission
for Africa, the focal point of which is the new
state of the art conference center which has been
added recently. The economic Commission for Africa
was constructed to advance the forces of progress
and unity within Africa and to symbolize Ethiopia's
role in modern African affairs. Coptic churches of
interest within very close proximity are Stefanos
church, a modern Coptic church, the Trinity
Cathedral and St. George Cathedral, built in
Octagonal styles of Ethiopian churches and
containing remarkable mural paintings. St. George Cathedral is
where Haile Selassie was coronated. The focal point
for the Moslem community is the Grand Mosque, where
tall minarets bring a particularly Eastern touch to
the market place. Numerous antiquities and vast
historical relics can be seen in the National and
Ethnological museums. (Photo: Coffee ceremony in
Hilton lobby)
Other attractions
include the grand market or Mercato, the world's
largest open air market where there is an endless
array of goods, exotic fruits and spices, swords
and leather shields, colorful basketry, lovely
embroidery costumes, icons, and most of all the
famous intricate coptic crosses worked in silver
and wood. Bargaining is part of the market
experience with much good-natured banter between
merchant and buyer as each seeks one another's
"last price". Crater Lakes and Hot
Springs: Day excursions can be made to the lovely
vistas and interesting old churches of mount Entoto
and to several spa resorts featuring hot spring
mineral baths and swimming pools such as Sodore and
the crater lakes of Debrezeit. Ethiopia's
natural beauty is at its most lovely on the full
day's drive to the Blue Nile gorge and Debre
Libanos. Further afield to the south, the Rift
Valley Lakes provide weekend resorts for the
residents of Addis Ababa. On the eastern edge of
the Ethiopian plateau lies the old Moslem walled
city of Harar which has reputedly the best
climate in Ethiopia with mild rainfall and dry air.
It is also a fascinating spectacle of color,
especially in the famous market place, where the
women wear long, brilliantly colored velvet
trousers, their braided hair tied with long wisps
of gauze scarves and ornamental jewelry. A mountain
road leads to the neighboring city Dire-Dawa. Hotel Features: Since
its opening, the Hilton Addis Ababa has become a
vital centerpiece for both the local and expatriate
community as well as the many business and vacation
travelers visiting the capital. Among the sport and
relaxation options offered are the thermally heated
cross shaped swimming pool, four tennis courts
including one with flood lighting for evening play,
men's and women's saunas where one may also
experience a relaxing massage, a squash court, mini
golf and a putting green with driving net and
bunker. Hilton Addis Ababa offers
its guests numerous options in dining and
entertainment pleasure. Fine venues include, the
Kaffa House, modeled after an American style coffee
shop with Ethiopian decor. The Harar Grill features
Ethiopian culinary and cultural heritage performed
with traditional folkloric music and dances. The
pizzeria serves truly Italian pizzas from its
classical wood fired brick oven. The Jacaranda
offers a wide selection of International cuisine
with live music. The Sheba Lounge provides a cozy
atmosphere for drinks with live piano entertainment
while the Lobby Bar offers the perfect meeting
place for all. The Gazebo Restaurant located next
to the pool provides outdoor dining daily for lunch
as well as a weekly Sunday Brunch with live
music. Whether for a cocktail
reception, a banquet, a weeding or a business
luncheon meeting, the Hilton Addis Ababa can
provide the perfect setting for groups large and
small. The Rose Garden next to the Ballroom is
ideal for special exhibitions, Barbecue parties and
large weddings. Addis Ababa is the home of
the Organization of African Unity and the Economic
Commission for Africa. UN agencies have their
regional headquarters in the capital city. It is
also one of the world's largest diplomatic
communities with over 100 missions. Ethiopia, realm
of the romantic Queen of Sheba, has always been a
magnet for hordes of invaders and explorers alike
but now draws travelers from the remainder of the
world eager to discover its legendary
fascination. Addis
Ababa Hilton: |
