Living in Addis - Living in Addis Ababa
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Living in Addis - Living in Addis Ababa
Home
Area Guides
Information
    Arts & Culture
    Communication & Language
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    Food & Drink
    Going Out
    Good Causes
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    Shopping
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Reviews
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Tourism
    Tourism in Addis Ababa
    Tourism in Ethiopia
Events
    Events Calendar
    Suggest an Event
Map
  • Home
  • Area Guides
  • Information
    • Arts & Culture
    • Communication & Language
    • Ethiopian Society
    • Food & Drink
    • Going Out
    • Good Causes
    • Health & Safety
    • Interviews
    • Money & Prices
    • New Arrivals
    • Pets
    • Shopping
    • Spare Time & Sports
    • Transportation
    • Volunteering
  • Reviews
    • Accommodation
    • Bars & Clubs
    • Cafes
    • Local Bars
    • Restaurants
  • Tourism
    • Tourism in Addis Ababa
    • Tourism in Ethiopia
  • Events
    • Events Calendar
    • Suggest an Event
  • Map
Spare Time & Sports

Swimming Pools in Addis Ababa

The weather in Addis is mostly wonderful and hiding away at a swimming pool on a hot day is the perfect escape from the hustle bustle of the city. Fortunately, there are plenty of swimming pools in Addis to choose from. What follows is a list of the swimming pools in Addis Ababa I’ve found so far with a bit of a summary or what to expect and a list of prices. Keep in mind that the prices were accurate in October 2015 so if you’re reading this far into the future (hello from the past!) then it’s probably better just to use the prices as a means of comparing the cheaper ones versus the more expensive ones. If you do have any updates for me or know of a pool for me to check out to add to the list, please email me at kirsty@livinginaddis.com.

Capital Hotel

Capital Hotel, Swimming Pools in Addis Ababa

Cost: 1 Day 395 birr / 1 month 2,250 / 3 months 6,950 (kids cheaper)

Capital Hotel has a range of passes and prices so your best bet is to go in and see them. If you want to get a membership for off-peak times (which I assume is during the day) then things will get a bit cheaper. The a day pass it’s the most expensive pool in town which seems a bit strange to me since there are other much nicer pools. Sure, the pool is fine and an ok size to be able to swim laps, but it’s certainly not secluded and there’s little space around it to chill. It feels sort of closed in an, while it’s a nice enough pool, I’d spend my money at the Sheraton or Intercontinental instead.

The Hilton

Swimming Pools in Addis Ababa - Hilton

Cost: 300 birr

Addis Ababa’s Hilton has a bit of a communist bunker sort of feel to it… probably not the best look for a supposedly high-end hotel chain. It’s certainly seen better days and the swimming pool is no different. The changing rooms are cramped and kind of gross. Plus the communal shower isn’t something I’d expect when I’m paying 300 Birr to use the facilities. For that price I’d at least expect some nakedness privacy. The way the pool is set up doesn’t leave a lot of room for doing laps if there are more than a couple of people in there. One side is for the kiddies and the other is the deep end where people attempt to do laps. The weird cross shape and the fact that it’s been divided in half means that there’s not much space and the five or some people doing laps at the same time as me kept nearly colliding. I did two and fled. The water is hot spring fed (or so I’m told) and so slightly warm. This is great for some but it’s not the most refreshing splash around after a day of sun baking. It would be a pretty good choice for colder days where you still want to try to get some laps in. If the human traffic allows it, of course.

The Intercontinental

Swimming Pools in Addis Ababa - The Intercontinental

Cost: 1 Day 200 birr (300 on weekends & holidays) / 1 Month 2,000 / 6 Months 5,400 / 12 Months 9,000

A rooftop pool! With a bar! This spot is so cool and I was amazed to see that on a hot Saturday afternoon only two young kids seemed to have discovered it. If it’s not to busy you could get away with some short laps in here but since the stairs take up a huge corner of the pool, there probably couldn’t be more than a couple of you attempting laps at once. But really, rooftop pools are for sipping cocktails, sunning yourself, and going in for the occasional dip, anyway. As far as swimming pools in Addis Ababa go, this is one of my favourites.

Monarch Hotel

Swimming Pools in Addis Ababa - Monarch Hotel

Cost: 250 birr

A friend told me that the pool at Monarch was free if you bought food or a drink. This turned out to be a bold-faced lie! Or perhaps just a mistake. Probably just a mistake but sometimes I like to be dramatic. This little pool is more for lounging around that for exercising but it’s still a decent enough size to give you some splash space. There are lounge chairs around and tables, too, if you’d like to swim and eat. The pool is a bit on display to everyone coming in and out of the hotel but is somewhat secluded from the restaurant/bar. But I kind of like that it’s in front of the hotel surrounded by tall buildings. It feels like a little oasis in the middle of the city.

Sheraton

Swimming Pools in Addis - Sheraton

Cost: 1 Day 300 birr (450 birr weekends & holidays) / 6 Months 9,400 / 12 Months 14,400

Now THIS is a pool! Sure, the price is high for a day pass but it’s not bad at all when you compare it with the cost of other pools. Especially the Hilton. That these two pools are the same price is a travesty! Well perhaps that’s a bit extreme but seriously, Hilton… how do you get away with charging the same as the Sheraton’s glorious, spacious, secluded pool? Shame on you, Hilton! The pool was quiet when I was there but given that the Sheraton is a fortress of a place, and there there seem to be hundreds of deck chairs laid around, I imagine it can get pretty busy. There’s a cafe and a bar right next to the pool so you’re pretty much set to camp out all day if you desire.

Vigor Fitness Centre (Laphto Mall)

Laphto Mall, Swimming Pools in Addis Ababa

Cost: 1 Month 2,000 birr / 6 months 4,950 / 12 months 7,200 (kids cheaper)

This is the weirdest pool I’ve ever seen. But, when you think about it, also totally practical. A super long bit for those serious lane swimmers among us, and a little sectoin over on the edge for kids to splash around in. I’m not sure if the laps part is 50 metres but I wouldn’t be surprised if it was. The pool is quite big. Located in Laphto Mall, this pool feels a bit concrete-y and closed-in, but it seems like a nice compromise of a pool that’s sort of indoors and sort of outdoors. The pool is part of the Vigor Fitness Centre and you can get gym/pool combo deals.

[WPMAP;25]

October 10, 2015by Kirsty
Restaurants

Aladdin

Aladdin

Praise be to whichever deity you worship for the food at Aladdin is truly wonderful. I think officially, Aladdin is an Armenian restaurant. Or maybe owned by Armenians. Not knowing a damned thing about Armenian food, I’m going to describe the restaurant as Lebanese/Mediterranean. This might be a horrible mistake that causes offense to all that read this review… apologies if that’s the case.

As this far as this type of food goes, it’s the best I’ve had in a long, long time (though I live in Rwanda where we only have two Lebanese-style restaurants, so give that as much clout as you think it deserves). During my 10 day visit to Addis I ate here for lunch three times and dinner once. So that gives a little insight into how much I like the food here.

Mezze - 150 Birr

The meze meal (150 birr) is a personal favourite but it’s only available for lunch, unfortunately. For me, Lebanese food is all about the dippy things and the meze plate gives you a good sampling, allowing you to choose five items from a list of about seven. I tend to go with the classics of hummous, tabouleh, babaganoush, labneh, and tzatiki which come with plenty of pita (although the last time I was here it was more like chapati) for dipping. They start you off with a lentil soup (delicious) and a salad (lettuce, tomato, and cucumber and kind of uninspiring). All of the dips are great with the minty tabouleh being a personal favourite.

Aladdin

I’m a big fan of Aladdin’s kofte (85 birr) as well. Little meaty bundles of joy! I’d recommend getting something to dip them in. If you’re ordering your dishes separately, they each cost around 85 birr and, with the included pita, would probably be enough for one person for a light meal. Bring some friends, order a few! Other menu items include kebabs (beef, chicken, yoghurt, and fish) for 190 birr each, Greek salad, (110 birr), and entrees like fish plaki (190 birr), sempugov jash (190 birr), and sineh kofte (190 birr).

I haven’t tried anything other than the dips and kofte though so let me know what you think! I’ve got it on good authority, though, that the starters are what this place is all about and if you’re with a group of people, skipping the entrees and sharing starters is the way to go.

Hummus & Pita - 85 Birr

Finish your meal off with a strong coffee (12 birr) and something sweet! They have a few dessert items on the menu from baklava (100 birr) to khadif (100 birr) to lokhma (60 birr) to plain old ice cream (85 birr). Or for you adventurous types, give their chocolate salame a try for 90 birr. Nope. I have no idea what that is.

The wait staff are attentive without hovering around too much which makes this a nice place to hang out for awhile with a book or computer if you happen to be on your lonesome. The wifi is good here and there are quite a few tables near plugs in one of the inside rooms. I’ve hunkered down here several times to do work and it’s a nice, quiet place where I always manage to get a lot done.

Aladdin isn’t the cheapest place in town but the prices are, I think, pretty fair for the size and quality of the food. It’s one of my favourite Addis spots and I’d recommend giving it a try and letting me know what you think in the comments below!

Hours: Daily, Noon – 10:30pm
Phone: 011 661 4109 / 011 663 8181
Email: aladdinrestaurantplc@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Aladdin-Restaurant/524488150936365

[WPMAP;11]

October 10, 2015by Kirsty

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