TH BonRoyal Hotel Addis Ababa Ethiopia

Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: TH BonRoyal Hotel Addis Ababa

Alright, buckle up, buttercups! We're diving headfirst into the opulent whirlpool that is the TH BonRoyal Hotel in Addis Ababa. Forget the polished travel brochures – I'm talking real talk, unfiltered opinions, and enough stream-of-consciousness to fill a swimming pool (which, thankfully, they have!).

The Big Picture: Unbelievable Luxury? Let's Find Out!

The tagline screams "Unbelievable Luxury," and after a stay, I'm still on the fence. Is it truly unbelievable? Or is it just… really good? Let's break it down, shall we? This TH BonRoyal spot promises a certain level of sophistication, a world away from the dust and hustle of Addis, and that's a definite draw. The question is, does it deliver?

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Accessibility: A Mixed Bag, Honestly

Okay, let's start with something important: Accessibility. This is where things get a little…complicated. They say they have facilities for disabled guests, which is promising. The elevator is a must. They have a vague mention in the category but no mention of accessible room details. More info needed here, honestly. Call the hotel to get detailed answers about accessible everything, including ramp access and restroom details.

Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Food, Glorious Food (and Drinks!)

This is where TH BonRoyal starts to shine! The sheer volume of dining, drinking, and snacking options is dizzying in the best way possible. We're talking:

Restaurants galore! Asian cuisine whispers temptingly, alongside the promise of International cuisine (which, let's be honest, is often the safest bet). There's a Vegetarian restaurant - which is vital - and the ubiquitous Western cuisine.
Breakfast is a big deal. They offer a Breakfast [buffet] AND Breakfast takeaway service - brilliant for those early-morning meetings. They tout a Western breakfast and an Asian breakfast, which suggests a commitment to variety.
Coffee/tea in restaurant – essential. And hey, you can get a bottle of water. Small things, but they matter!
Poolside bar. Important. We’ll circle back to that.
Room service [24-hour] – Hallelujah! Late night cravings? Sorted.
Happy hour – Yes, please!
A la carte in restaurant
Alternative meal arrangement, good to hear!
Buffet in restaurant
Coffee shop
Desserts in restaurant
Poolside bar
Salad in restaurant
Snack bar
Soup in restaurant

Okay, I have to tell you about the Poolside bar. The pool area is where it's at. And the drinks? Magnificent. One afternoon, nursing a cocktail that was basically sunshine in a glass, I overheard some stuffy-looking businessmen arguing about…I don't even know, accounting, probably. But the whole scene, the sun, the breeze, the sheer decadence of it all, it's what makes this place feel special.

(Okay, a small confession: I may have accidentally ordered a second cocktail. Don't judge.)

Things to Do, Ways to Relax: Spa Day, Anyone? (and More!)

This is where TH BonRoyal truly flexes its muscles. The list of relaxation options is staggering:

Body scrub, Body wrap, Fitness center, Foot bath, Gym/fitness, Massage, Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor]

They're basically begging you to unwind. I spent an embarrassing amount of time in the Sauna (I’m talking a solid two hours, sweating out all my worries). Their Spa is dreamy – a proper pampering experience. The Pool with view? Stunning. You can get a massage and then promptly fall asleep beside that pool.

The Fitness center is well equipped but I didn’t go. I was far too busy perfecting my cocktail-sipping technique.

Cleanliness and Safety: Feeling Secure (and Sanitized!)

In today's world, safety is paramount. TH BonRoyal seems to have taken this seriously:

Anti-viral cleaning products, Cashless payment service, Daily disinfection in common areas, Doctor/nurse on call, First aid kit, Hand sanitizer, Hot water linen and laundry washing, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Shared stationery removed, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment

I certainly felt safe. Everywhere you went, reminders of their commitment to hygiene were visible. This gives you serious peace of mind.

Services and Conveniences: All the Bells and Whistles (and a Shrine?)

The list of Services and conveniences is exhaustive, covering everything from standard stuff to a genuinely random shrine.

Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center

The Concierge was incredibly helpful, and the Daily housekeeping kept the room spotless (and they even left chocolates on the pillow!). I was blown away by the breadth of options.

But the shrine? Still not sure why it's there. Maybe for a little prayer before your next cocktail?

For the Kids: Family-Friendly or Not?

Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal

Okay, a mixed bag here. They say they're Family/child friendly, and they offer Babysitting service and Kids meals. But the overall vibe of the hotel leans towards a luxurious adult experience. However, it’s clear that at least some effort has been put into accommodating families.

Getting Around: The Logistics

Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking

Easy peasy. Airport transfer is a major plus. The Car park is convenient.

Available in All Rooms: What You Get in Your Sanctuary

This is where the hotel's luxury truly shines.

Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens

The rooms are beautifully appointed. The Air conditioning is a life-saver (Addis can get warm!). The Free Wi-Fi is a godsend. The Bathtub is deep, the Bed is comfy, and the Blackout curtains are perfect for sleeping off that…ahem… second cocktail.

Room Decor, Soundproofing, and Security: A Safe, Stylish Haven

The hotel understands the importance of security and comfort:

Non-smoking rooms, Pets allowed unavailablePets allowed, Proposal spot, Room decorations, Safety/security feature, Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms, Soundproof rooms

The Soundproof rooms are a blessing. Outside noise is kept to a minimum. Security seems to be taken seriously. They also have Smoke alarms and other Safety/security features.

Internet Access: Stay Connected (Mostly)

Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!, Internet, Internet [LAN], Internet services, Wi-Fi in public areas

Okay, here's the deal: the Wi-Fi in the room is fast and reliable…most of the time. There were a few hiccups, but nothing that ruined my stay. Internet [LAN] is available, if you prefer a wired connection. Wi-Fi in public areas is also available

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TH BonRoyal Hotel Addis Ababa Ethiopia

TH BonRoyal: Addis Ababa, or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Injera (Maybe?)

Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your sanitized, Instagram-ready itinerary. This is the raw, unfiltered truth of a slightly jet-lagged, perpetually hungry traveler's experience at the TH BonRoyal in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Expect some rambling, some gushing, and a healthy dose of "where the hell did I put my passport?"

Day 1: Addis Ababa Arrival & That Damn Altitude

8:00 AM (Local time): Landed. Addis Ababa Airport. The air… well, it's there. Seriously, the altitude hits you like a rogue Ethiopian coffee bean straight to the forehead. My lungs feel like they're wearing tiny corsets. (And the airport smells faintly of cardamom, which is actually quite pleasant).
9:00 AM: Transfer to TH BonRoyal. Gorgeous hotel, I’ll give it that. The lobby’s all soaring ceilings and that weird, slightly antiseptic scent that all fancy hotels seem to have? I'm easily impressed, though, so I’m already feeling fancy.
9:30 AM – 11:00 AM: Checked in, struggled to open the door (damn key cards!). The room is… nice. Clean. Plenty of pillows. The kind of bed that makes you want to immediately collapse and nap for a week. Which, I'm gonna be honest, I almost did. The altitude. It’s real.
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM: Lunch at the hotel restaurant. Okay, this is where things get interesting. I order a "traditional Ethiopian dish" figuring, you know, when in Rome… Well, in this case, when in Addis, embrace the injera. It arrived. Huge, spongy, sour pancake. And then, the stuff on top: stews, veggie dishes… honestly, it all kind of looked the same. It tastes… well, it tastes like… injera. I'm still on the fence about the texture, which is akin to eating a wet dishcloth. But the flavors! Some were fantastic, some were… challenging. I'm pretty sure I had a chunk of something that was aggressively spiced, which made my eyes water. But… I kept eating. This, my friends, is the first sign of a developing food addiction.
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Recovered from the altitude and the injera onslaught in my room. Napped. Watched some Ethiopian TV. Realized I don't understand Amharic but enjoyed the vibrant costumes. Bliss.
4:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Wandered around the hotel gardens. They're actually quite lovely. Found a quiet bench, and actually had to take a break to catch my breath (altitude, remember?). Watched the sun set over Addis. It felt… majestic. And I felt a tiny bit less like I was going to pass out.
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM: Dinner at the hotel. Ordered something safe – grilled chicken. Needed a palate cleanser after that injera adventure. (Spoiler alert: I found myself wishing I'd been more adventurous).
7:00 PM – Bedtime: Journaled, listened to the city noises (honking, chanting, general hustle and bustle – which I found completely captivating!). Tried to remember where I put my adaptor. Failed. Curled up in bed, totally zonkered out.

Day 2: Holy Trinity Church & The Mercato, Mayhem & Magic

7:00 AM: Woke up feeling surprisingly sprightly. Altitude acclimation? Or just the sheer joy of realizing I wasn't dreaming about injera?
8:00 AM: Breakfast at the hotel. This time, armed with a newfound courage, I opted for the scrambled eggs with some of those delicious Ethiopian spices. Much better. Got way too much coffee. Oops.
9:00 AM – 11:00 AM: Visited Holy Trinity Cathedral. Stunning. Just… stunning. The architecture, the stained glass, the sense of peace… it took my breath away. The air was thick with incense and reverence. I found myself actually whispering prayers, even though I am terrible at praying. The place just emanates a sense of respect.
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Wandered through the surrounding grounds, soaking in the stillness and the history. I was lost in my thoughts then I got lost in the surroundings. It happens.
12:00 PM – 3:00 PM: The Mercato. HOLY. MOTHER. OF. MARKETS. It's like sensory overload in the best possible way. Colors, smells, sounds… a total free-for-all. I haggled for a scarf (think I got ripped off, but who cares?), tried to buy some spices (ended up with too many), and then almost got run over by a donkey cart (it happens). It was exhilarating. I also saw a guy selling live chickens. Like, live chickens. Seriously.
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Lunch at a tiny street-side cafe near the Mercato. Found a local joint bustling with people. Ordered a lentil dish. It was so good, spicy, and earthy. It was the best lunch I'd had in ages. I suspect I also accidentally swallowed a small piece of bone (the perils of street food!).
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Taxi back to the hotel. The traffic in Addis is brutal. My driver and I became fast friends through a shared love of complaining about potholes. (Apparently, it’s a national pastime).
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM: Sipped coffee in the hotel lounge, edited photos, and realized I was woefully under-prepared for the sheer intensity of Ethiopia. I need a plan! What to do?
7:00 PM – Dinner: I ordered dinner at the hotel, some kind of stew. Tasted great but I was already missing the street-side cafe. Tomorrow, I'm going back to that place. I don't care if I get food poisoning. It was worth it.
8:00 PM – Bedtime: A slight feeling of guilt. I haven’t seen any of the cultural sites that I was hoping for. I should be ashamed of myself. (I'm not).

Day 3: Menelik II Palace & Injera, Injera, Everywhere!

7:30 AM: Breakfast. Pancakes! I feel rebellious, and the hotel is starting to feel like a prison. Time for a change.
9:00 AM: Menelik II Palace. Magnificent. The architecture is beautiful, and the history is profound. But, the line. The line to get in! I waited for what felt like an eternity in the hot sun, which wasn't ideal and it made a dent in my optimism.
11:00 AM: Finally got inside. The palace tour was actually pretty good, even though my Amharic is non-existent. The guide was knowledgeable, and the sense of history was palpable. I even managed to take a few decent photos (finally getting the hang of this camera).
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Lunch at a local restaurant. And guess what? Injera! Again! But this time, I actually looked forward to it. I ordered a spicy beef stew that was incredibly flavorful. And I learned a new trick: use the injera to scoop up the food, then eat everything together, which is much more fun than using cutlery. I officially feel like I just got promoted in the "Ethiopian Food Connoisseur" club.
4:00 PM – Sundown: I decided to stay at the hotel. The previous days were a blur, and my feet are sore from walking. I rested in the hotel garden.
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM: Dinner again. I couldn't face another buffet, so I ordered room service.
8:00 PM: Bedtime: I spent a lot of time reflecting on my trip. I was glad I came, but I felt underprepared. I should have done more research. Another day, another lesson. Also, I wonder what I'll have to eat tomorrow: more Injera?

Day 4: Departure (and a lingering injera craving?)

7:30 AM: Got a final breakfast. I’m going to miss this hotel.
9:00 AM: Last-minute souvenir shopping. Found a beautiful scarf.
11:00 AM: Started to think about leaving.
12:00 PM: Checked out.
1:00 PM: Airport. The air smells faintly of cardamom. A fond farewell.
2:00 PM: Boarded the plane.

Final Thoughts:

Ethiopia is intense. Addis Ababa is a city of contrasts, of chaos, of beauty, and of delicious, slightly sour pancakes. The

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TH BonRoyal Hotel Addis Ababa Ethiopia

TH BonRoyal Hotel Addis Ababa: Your Burning Questions (and My Messy Opinions!)

Okay, let's be honest: Is this place REALLY as fancy as they make it sound?

Right? The TH BonRoyal website is practically oozing with phrases like "unparalleled luxury" and "exquisite experience." Look, the short answer is: mostly. Think… like, a very posh, very *loud* aunt’s living room. It's fancy, alright. Crystal chandeliers? Check. Gleaming marble floors? Double-check. But it's also... a bit *much*. There's definitely a "trying hard" vibe. You walk in and you're just blasted with the smell of… well, *something*. Like a perfume factory exploded in a spice market. But is it luxurious? Yeah, in the kind of way where you feel slightly intimidated by the sheer abundance of gold leaf.

My first time, I accidentally walked into the wrong ballroom – the one they were setting up for a wedding. Felt like I'd stumbled into a fairy tale... only the fairy tale was being orchestrated by someone with a slightly aggressive decorating style. (More on the weddings later... oh, the weddings.)

What's the deal with the rooms? Are they worth the (likely hefty) price tag?

Alright, let's talk rooms. I opted for the "Deluxe Something-or-Other Suite" (because, you know, *luxury*). And honestly? The space itself was amazing. Huge. Like, I actually got lost for a solid five minutes trying to find the bathroom. The bed? Cloud-like. Honestly, slept better than I have in years. The view from the window was... okay. Addis Ababa isn’t exactly known for its breathtaking landscapes, let's be real. More likely you see of the city sprawl and other buildings.

But here’s the kicker: the small details were… well, they weren’t necessarily *deluxe*. A few scuffs on the (very expensive-looking) furniture. The TV remote was older than I am. The mini-bar? Empty except for a single, lonely bottle of water. And, and *this* is important: the air conditioning was a bit... temperamental. One minute you’re shivering, the next you’re sweating. It's a small thing, but at that price point, you expect perfection, dammit! You want it all, the marble, the view, the perfect bathroom amenities, and the seamless flow of the day.

The food! Tell me about the food! Is it as good as the ambiance pretends to be?

The food… ah, the food. Here’s where things get *really* interesting. The main restaurant is called something incredibly pretentious, like "The Golden Spoon of Opulence" or something equally ridiculous. And honestly? The food itself? Hit or miss. Sometimes, absolutely *divine*. I had a steak that was, without exaggeration, life-changing. Perfectly cooked, seasoned to perfection, melt-in-your-mouth deliciousness. Seriously, I considered ordering another one just to stare at it.

Other times? Well, let's just say I've had better meals at a truck stop. The buffet breakfast was your standard hotel nightmare. Overcooked eggs, lukewarm coffee that tasted vaguely of dirt, and pastries that looked like they’d been sitting there since the fall of the Roman Empire. And the service... oh, the service. It's friendly, yes. But sometimes it's SO attentive that you feel like you need to be under constant observation. Like, I just wanted to eat my breakfast in peace, not have someone constantly refilling my water glass every five seconds! It's a constant negotiation between "wow, this is great!" and "okay, maybe I should skip dinner and just order room service tonight."

What are the best and worst things about staying here, overall?

Okay, the good, the bad, and the slightly bewildering.

BEST:

The sheer scale of it all. You feel like you're in a movie (even if it's a movie you're not entirely sure you like).
Some of the food. When it hits, it *really* hits. That steak... *sigh*.
The spa. Actually pretty good. Massages were on point (and necessary after battling the air conditioning).

WORST:

The inconsistency. Everything's a gamble, from the water pressure to the quality of your meal.
The price. You're paying a premium for the "luxury" label, but you're not always getting the goods.
The weddings! Seriously. They're constant. They're loud. And you will, inevitably, get caught trying to navigate the hotel while dodging bridesmaids and photographers. I swear, half the staff is dedicated to wedding-related tasks.

Overall, would I stay again? Probably. Because, despite the flaws, there's a certain *charm* to the BonRoyal. But I'd go in with lowered expectations and a healthy dose of humor. And maybe earplugs. Seriously, bring earplugs.

Okay, back to those weddings... what's the deal with the weddings? Do they ruin the experience?

Oh. My. God. The weddings. They’re like a plague of sparkly, tulle-filled locusts that descend upon the hotel every weekend. I’m not even exaggerating. I had a friend who got trapped in the elevator during a reception and had to be *rescued* by the bride’s uncle (who, naturally, was wearing a slightly too-tight tuxedo).

First, the noise. The music. Oh, the music. It's like someone took all the most popular (and often awful) wedding songs and cranked them up to eleven. And it goes on for hours. Hours! Then, there's the sheer *volume* of people. Everywhere you go, you're dodging ecstatic relatives, trying to navigate around bouquets, and desperately avoiding eye contact with the overly enthusiastic flower girls. You're trying to get a quiet drink in the lobby, and suddenly, you're surrounded by a conga line. It's pure, unadulterated chaos. The hotel tries to contain them, but they leak out. They *always* leak out. I suspect the employees are secretly building a wall.

Look, if you happen to be staying there during a wedding, just accept your fate. Embrace the madness. Hide in your room (maybe with those earplugs I mentioned) and order a mountain of room service. Or, if you're feeling brave, join the party. Just... be warned. You might end up in the conga line.