Escape to Paradise: Sapphire Addis Hotel Awaits in Addis Ababa!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the sapphire depths of the Sapphire Addis Hotel! This isn't your sterile, cookie-cutter hotel review. This is the raw, unfiltered truth. I'm talking sweat, tears, and maybe a slightly questionable coffee experience. Here we go…
Escape to Paradise: Sapphire Addis Hotel Awaits – My Addis Adventure! (And My Honest Thoughts)
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Right off the bat, let me tell you, Addis is a vibe. A chaotic, exhilarating, sometimes confusing vibe. And the Sapphire Addis? Well, it mostly lives up to the name. "Sapphire," I think, implies a certain level of polished perfection. Did it achieve that? Not always. But hey, that's where the fun begins, right?
Accessibility: Let's Hear it for Ramps! (Mostly)
Okay, first things first: Accessibility. This is HUGE for me. I'm thrilled to say they mostly nail it. Wheelchair accessible? Yes! There are ramps, elevators, and generally, a good effort to create a user-friendly experience. I saw a few areas where it could be slightly improved – maybe a little more space around some furniture in common areas, but overall, a solid thumbs up.
On-site accessible restaurants / lounges: Now, finding a truly perfect accessible restaurant is always a quest. There's the main restaurant, of course, and several other spots to grab a drink or a bite. I'd suggest triple checking the accessibility of each specific dining room or bar, and maybe have them hold the door for you, just in case!
Cleanliness & Safety: Sanitized Sanity in the Chaos
Look, the world is wild. I appreciate the hell out of hotels that take hygiene seriously these days. Anti-viral cleaning products? Check. Daily disinfection in common areas? Yep. Daily housekeeping? Absolutely. I'm a bit of a germaphobe, so this stuff REALLY matters. And I gotta commend them: it FELT clean. Like, actually clean, not just "pretending" clean.
Rooms sanitized between stays? Good, good. Room sanitization opt-out available? I think so. I'm pretty sure I saw something. (Note to self: ask about this next time, but who am I kidding? I want the spray-down.)
Also, they’ve got the Staff trained in safety protocol, Doctor/nurse on call, First aid kit, and Hand sanitizer everywhere. It gives you peace of mind in a bustling city, which is invaluable.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: From Buffet Bliss to Beverage Buzz
Alright, the food… where do we start?
- Breakfast [buffet]: This is where the Sapphire shone. I'm talking mountains of options! I loved the fresh fruit, the pastries, the… you know what? I’m not even going to pretend I was picky. I went for it all! The Asian breakfast options were a real treat (seriously, great start to the day). And the Western breakfast was also top-notch, with all the usual suspects available.
- Restaurants: The restaurants themselves are a bit of a mixed bag. Some are fantastic, offering both International cuisine in restaurant and Asian cuisine in restaurant, others are… less memorable. There is also Vegetarian restaurant. I would suggest checking reviews before you commit. I had one meal that was utterly divine. I think there was a bit of a language barrier with the Staff trained in safety protocol but everyone was super pleasant, so that made up for it.
- Poolside bar: This is where the happy hour magic happens. Happy hour at the Poolside bar is a MUST. The cocktails were well-made, the sun was setting over Addis… pure bliss.
- Coffee shop: I'm a coffee snob, and the coffee situation was a bit… inconsistent. Some days, glorious. Other days? Well, let's just say I'm not sure what kind of beans they were using. Coffee/tea in restaurant was definitely preferable.
- Room service [24-hour]: This is a lifesaver. Late-night hunger pangs? Solved. Bottle of water? Always appreciated.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax: Spa Day, Anyone?
Okay, the Sapphire really shines in this department.
- Spa: The Spa is a proper sanctuary. I opted for the Massage and it was pure heaven. The therapist was skilled, the atmosphere was serene. (Definitely recommend!)
- Sauna/Spa/Steamroom: They've got all the relaxation essentials! Sauna, Spa/Sauna, Steamroom. Prepare to melt away your stress.
- Fitness center/Gym/fitness: Yup, they have a very well-equipped gym to work off all those delicious meals, and take your mind away from the bustling culture outside!
- Swimming pool / Pool with view: The Swimming pool [outdoor] is gorgeous. The Pool with view? Even better. It's the perfect place to cool off after exploring the city.
- Body scrub & Body wrap: I'm not sure if I've gone too far with this, but I did try a body scrub, because, hey, why not? It was weird but surprisingly refreshing!
Services and Conveniences: A Little Bit of Everything
This is where the Sapphire really goes the extra mile.
- Internet access: The Internet access – wireless was strong, the Wi-Fi [free] worked well in my room. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! You can also find it in the Air conditioning in public area, which is a godsend.
- Business facilities: The Business facilities are well-equipped. Xerox/fax in business center, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Meeting stationery, Meetings, and Projector/LED display are all available.
- Currency exchange: This is super convenient. Addis can be tricky with money stuff.
- Laundry service/Dry cleaning/Ironing service: Always a plus, especially when traveling.
- Car park [free of charge] & Car park [on-site]: Very helpful in Addis.
- Airport transfer: The Airport transfer was efficient and reliable.
Rooms, Glorious Rooms:
The rooms themselves were comfortable. Some are a bit dated (I suspect they are in the process of updating them). The blackout curtains are a lifesaver. I loved having a coffee/tea maker in the room. And the Air conditioning was crucial! The bed was comfy as hell. I'd recommend trying for a high floor, with a view.
The Quirks & Imperfections (Because Nothing's Perfect!)
Alright, here’s where I get real. The Sapphire Addis is good. Really good. But it isn't flawless.
- Service, sometimes, can be a little… slow. This is a common theme in Ethiopia, but it’s a little more noticeable in a luxury hotel. Be patient, and be prepared to flag people down. (But hey, it's a great opportunity to practice your "Excuse me!" skills!)
- The signage could be better. I got lost a few times. (Okay, maybe a lot of times.) Especially at night.
- The elevator is, at times, a bit… temperamental.
- Soundproofing can be hit or miss. I heard some noise from the hallway.
The Verdict: Should You Stay?
Overall? YES. Absolutely. The Sapphire Addis Hotel is a great choice for a luxurious stay in Addis Ababa. It's mostly accessible, the food is mostly great, the spa is heavenly, and the staff, while sometimes a little stretched, are genuinely friendly. It's a solid base to explore this vibrant city. Just go in with open eyes, a good sense of humor, and a willingness to relax and embrace the chaos! And definitely hit that poolside bar. Cheers!
(End of Review)
Unbelievable Somerset Swan Lake Hefei: China's Hidden Paradise!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups! This isn't your meticulously planned, sterile hotel itinerary. This is my attempt to survive, maybe even thrive, at the Sapphire Addis Hotel in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Prepare for a bumpy ride, a few wrong turns, and a whole lotta me.
Sapphire Addis: An Itinerary (More Like a Survival Guide)
Day 1: Arrival & The Great In-Room Tea Debacle
- Time: Arrive Addis Ababa Bole International Airport. (Ugh, airports. The soul-sucking vortexes of humanity).
- Means: Plane. Obviously. I swear, I always end up next to the window-licker. Today's lucky seatmate? A man who insisted on explaining the intricacies of his stamp collection. Fascinating, sir. Truly.
- Arrival: Breathe. The air smells… different. A mix of spices, diesel fumes, and existential dread. Welcome to Ethiopia!
- Hotel Transfer: Taxi to Sapphire Addis. Negotiating the price was a blood sport. I think I won. Maybe. Probably not.
- Check-in at Sapphire Addis: The lobby is… gilded. Like, really gilded. I'm instantly questioning my affordable-accommodation choices. The staff are friendly, bless 'em. My room, however, is slightly less glamorous. Still, it's a roof over my head!
- The Great In-Room Tea Debacle: So, I’m utterly knackered and all I want is a cup of tea. (British Problems, I know.) I find the kettle. Success! Then… no tea bags. A frantic search ensues. Under the bed. Behind the TV. In the mini-bar (nope, just overpriced beer and snacks). Finally, I find a single, solitary tea bag. Victory is mine! But wait…no spoon. Damn. I end up stirring my tea with the hotel-provided plastic stirrer. It felt… wrong. Very, very wrong. The tea was decent, though. Small wins.
- Dinner at the Hotel Restaurant (More Like a Cautious Exploration): I decide to be brave and attempt the hotel restaurant. The menu is vast. I'm overwhelmed. I recognize the injera (a spongy, slightly sour flatbread is a must-try). I cautiously order a dish. This is my first taste of what Ethiopia has to offer. It's spicy. It's delicious. And I spill half of it down my front. Stylish.
Day 2: Coffee Ceremonies & Cultural Confusion
- Morning Coffee Ceremony (My Soul's Salvation… and a Potential Cultural Faux Pas): This is the highlight! A legitimate coffee ceremony is an absolute must in Ethiopia. The aroma of roasting coffee beans is intoxicating. The lady roasting the beans is graceful. She pours the coffee. Bless her. The coffee… is strong. So. Damn. Strong. And flavorful. And I'm pretty sure I'm now wired to the moon. I probably talked too much throughout it, babbling about the weather. I hope I didn’t offend anyone. Cultural sensitivity? Me? (doubtful)
- Morning Wander (Lost in Translation, Literally): I try to walk to the nearby market from the hotel. I get lost. I ask for directions. The responses are enthusiastic but often contradictory. I’m pretty sure I walked in circles for about an hour. I see a donkey cart, a few stray dogs (they look hungry), and a whole lotta people staring at me. Definitely feeling like the tourist.
- Lunch (Where I Nearly Singed My Eyebrows): Back at the hotel. I bravely attempt another restaurant. I order something vaguely labelled as “stewed meat.” It arrives. It’s fiery red. I take a bite. My mouth explodes. I sweat. My eyes water. I wave desperately for water. It was delicious. But lethal.
- Afternoon: St. George's Cathedral & National Museum (Trying to be Cultured, Failing a Little): A bit of sightseeing, because, well, I should. St. George’s Cathedral is beautiful, but I'm more interested in the little old ladies selling colorful scarves outside. Negotiating a price is a game of wills. I overpay, obviously. Then, the National Museum. Lucy! Seeing the skeletal remains of Australopithecus afarensis is fascinating. I’m genuinely impressed. But also, a bit overwhelmed by the sheer scale of history. My brain is full. Time for a nap.
- Evening (contemplating life): I'm exhausted and a little bit homesick. The lack of reliable Wi-Fi in my room is not helping. I sit on my bed, staring out the window, feeling utterly lost. The city feels both captivating and overwhelming. My emotional rollercoaster is on over-drive.
Day 3: The Mercato & a Culinary Crisis (and a Breakthrough!)
- Morning: The Mercato (Sensory Overload!): Today, I finally work up the courage to go to Africa's largest open-air market. The Mercato is a madhouse. The smells. The sounds. The sheer number of people! I get pushed, shoved, and almost run over by a donkey cart. I see everything from live chickens to mountains of spices to mountains of second-hand shoes. I am utterly disoriented. I’d like to say I haggled like a pro but, I think I paid for a rock. (I'm serious)
- Lunch: The Culinary Crisis: I attempt a local beyaynetu (a vegan platter of vegetables and lentils). I order it from a small restaurant. The food arrives, it looks delicious…and then I hear a low growl. I look down. A stray dog (one of the ones from earlier) is staring at me, with that same hungry look. And I know… I knew I should have shared the one I bought the other day. Now I don't wanna buy it.
- Afternoon: The Breakthrough (of sorts): I find a tiny, hole-in-the-wall café. I order a coffee, and I just sit. I watch people. I listen to the chatter. I smell the coffee. It's a small moment of peace, a tiny crack in the feeling of being overwhelmed. And in that moment, I get it. This is not about perfect plans. This is about embracing the mess, getting utterly lost and making something of it
- Dinner: Back at the Hotel Restaurant, Again (and actually pretty decent!): I decided to go back to the hotel restaurant, because, well, I wasn't sure what else to do. And to my surprise, the meal was truly beautiful this time. It's not a 5-star place, but it's safe, and I order something with chicken. (Safety food.) I chat with some people seated at the table next to me, and they are also tourists. It’s good to exchange stories of the day.
Day 4: Departure (A Bittersweet Adieu, with a Side of Airport Chaos)
- Morning: Last-Minute Souvenir Hunt (Running Against the Clock): I race out to find a reasonably priced scarf. The lady from day one, bless her heart, agrees to sell me one. I’m running late for the airport.
- Check-out at Sapphire Addis (A surprisingly smooth process): I'm relieved to leave. And then… a quick "Goodbye." I was sad for all the places I didn't see in one trip, but I'm changed for the better.
- Airport Debacle (Just Embrace the Chaos): Airport security. Chaos reigns. Flights are delayed. Panic ensues. I navigate the crowds, muttering under my breath. I find my gate. I collapse in a chair.
- Means: Plane. Again. And I’m thinking… I'd do it again.
- Reflection (and a promise to return): Back on the plane, I glance at the window. Addis Ababa fades away. I close my eyes. Ethiopia, you wild, beautiful, chaotic place. I’ll be back. This time, hopefully, I won't get lost quite so much. Maybe. Probably not. But I'll be ready for whatever comes.
So, there you have it. My Sapphire Addis experience. It wasn't perfect. It was messy. It was emotional. And, somehow, it was brilliant.
Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: Hanting Hotel Xuchang - Changge Zhongyao Ave.
Escape to Paradise: Sapphire Addis Hotel Awaits - FAQ (and My Ramblings!)
Okay, so you're eyeing the Sapphire Addis Hotel? Smart move (maybe). Look, I'm not one for flowery brochures – I'm talking the real deal, the stuff the glossy pics conveniently leave out. So, buckle up, because here’s the deal, straight from someone who actually *stayed* there. And lemme tell you, it was… an experience.
1. Is the Sapphire Addis Hotel *actually* paradise?
Paradise... *rolls eyes*. Look, let's be real. It's Addis. And the traffic alone could make a saint swear. The hotel itself? Well, it *tries* to be paradise. The lobby is pretty impressive - tall, shiny, lots of marble that’ll make you feel underdressed in your travel sweatpants. They have those 'tropical' hanging orchids, you know? The kind that vaguely smell of… well, something floral-ish. Not necessarily paradise, mind you. More like "aspiring-to-paradise-in-the-middle-of-a-city-that-never-sleeps."
2. What's the food like? Because, you know, sustenance is key.
Ah, the food. This is where things get… interesting. The breakfast buffet? Okay, it's a marathon, not a sprint. You’ve got your standard eggs-and-bacon (surprisingly decent, actually), some fruits that probably *did* see some sun, and these local injera pancakes! Now, injera is… an acquired taste, let's just say that. I could swear the texture is designed to challenge your mastication skills! I tried one. I really did. And then I mostly stuck to the oatmeal. Because comfort food. The hotel restaurants? Again, hit or miss. I did have a *phenomenal* mushroom soup one night... it was so good I almost licked the bowl, and trust me, I'm not usually a soup person. But another meal? Let's just say the memory isn't exactly etched in my culinary hall of fame. My advice: explore the local eateries. You'll find far more character – and probably better food – than you will in the polished hotel dining rooms.
3. The rooms... the *rooms*... Are they Instagrammable?
Okay, the rooms. Here’s the deal. Yes, they *look* Instagrammable. Lots of neutral tones, big windows, fluffy white towels. But… and it’s a big but… my particular room had this *weird* humming noise. I’m talking constant, like a tiny, whirring gremlin was living inside the wall. I complained, of course! They sent someone (a very patient guy, bless his heart) who tinkered around for a while. The next morning? The humming was still there. I swear, it was driving me bonkers! I think it came back worse when I really concentrated... I just wanted to sleep. So I ended up sleeping with earplugs. Luxury!
4. What about the wifi? Because, let's be honest, we're all addicted.
The wifi... oh, the wifi. Okay, this is critical. It’s… patchy. Let’s just go with patchy. I spent a good chunk of my trip wandering around the hotel lobby, desperately trying to catch a signal strong enough to upload *one* picture of my breakfast. You know the look on my face when I finally got 3 bars? Pure, unadulterated joy! Sometimes it’s lightning fast, and you can stream movies. Other times… *sigh*. You're better off making friends with the security guard. They let me use their personal hotspot a few times when I was really desperate, and got into a nice chat about the Ethiopian Premier League while I was at it. So, yeah… download your essential stuff beforehand.
5. Is the Sapphire Addis Hotel... a good value for money?
This is a tough one. It depends on your priorities. If you're after pure, unadulterated luxury and are willing to overlook a *few* imperfections (like the humming, the wifi, and the slightly-off injera), then maybe. It's still Addis, though, so I would consider that. If you're more about authenticity and character, and getting an honest taste of the local scene, you might find a more memorable experience elsewhere, even if its less fancy. I reckon, at the end of the day, you’re paying for the *idea* of luxury. And the orchids.
6. Any advice for surviving a stay there? Real talk.
Okay, here's my brutally honest advice, the stuff the brochures won't tell you, as requested! Pack earplugs. Seriously. For the humming, for the city sounds (which are constant, by the way - even in the 'quiet' parts of the hotel). Pack snacks. You never know when the urge for something familiar will strike, and if you're not fond of the restaurant options, those granola bars will be a lifesaver. Learn a few basic Amharic phrases. It'll make everything easier, and the staff truly appreciate the effort (and get you friendlier service!). Be patient. Things operate at a different pace in Addis. Embrace it. And most importantly? Lower your expectations just a tiny bit, and you might actually have a decent time. Oh, and tip generously – the staff works hard, and they're genuinely lovely people. Finally, don't believe *everything* you read online. Especially from me ;-).
7. Did you, like, *enjoy* your stay? Be honest!
Gosh... Enjoy? That's a loaded question! Parts of it? Yes! The amazing mushroom soup I mentioned? Undeniably enjoyable. The fantastic breakfast service? The kindness of the hotel staff? All wonderful. It wasn’t all sunshine and roses, though. The humming was a nightmare. The wifi was an exercise in frustration. But... would I go back? Maybe. Probably! Addis is a fantastic city, and the Sapphire, despite its quirks, is a step above the rest. And hey, at least I have a story to tell, right? And, if you go, tell me what you thought! You're welcome in advance.
