Taitu Hotel
| Itegue Taitu Hotel | |
|---|---|
 Historic facade of Itegue Taitu Hotel | |
Interactive map of the Itegue Taitu Hotel area | |
| General information | |
| Location | Dejazemach Jote Street, Piazza, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia |
| Coordinates | 9°01′50″N 38°45′15″E / 9.030649°N 38.7542562°E |
| Opening | 1905 |
| Other information | |
| Parking | Free parking for over 50 vehicles |
| Website | |
| taituhotel | |
Itegue Taitu Hotel (Amharic: እቴጌ ጣይቱ ሆቴል) is the oldest hotel in Ethiopia, located in the historic Piazza district of Addis Ababa. Built in 1905, it was founded by Empress Taitu Betul, wife of Emperor Menelik II, to accommodate foreign guests with a place to rest and dine.
History
The hotel was part of Menelik II’s modernization efforts following Ethiopia’s victory at the Battle of Adwa in 1896, the Hotel was located inside the Palace complex that became the nucleus of Modern Addis Ababa city, the original hotel was bigger and was reduced in size during the Italian prompt invasion, the Italian commanders used the Western wing as their own luving quarters, after liberation Emperor Haile Selassie built a new palace next to the First Hilton Hotel in Africa and the Taitu hotel was never restored to its original size or status.
Status
The original hotel was a hub for diplomats, journalists, and travelers, including British author Evelyn Waugh, who fictionalized it as the "Liberty Hotel" in his satirical novel Scoop. A major fire in January 2015 damaged the building, but it has since been restored close to its original form.
2015 Fire
On 11 January 2015, a major fire broke out which caused significant damage on the main hotel properties.[1][2]
Running Against the Wind
The western wing of the original hotel, known as Baro Hotel since 1945, was featured in the movie Running Against the Wind [3]
Amenities and features
The hotel offers a mix of budget-friendly rooms with air conditioning, desks, and internet access. Additionally, it features on-site restaurant and lounge with live jazz music nightly, laundry service, left luggage storage, and multilingual staff (English and Italian). Located within walking distance of landmarks like Menelik II Square, St. George’s Cathedral, and National Museum of Ethiopia.
Notes
- ^ "Ethio Info Desk". Ethio Info Desk.
- ^ "Burnt to the ground, the Addis Ababa hotel where Evelyn Waugh (and Scoop's William Boot) stayed". Independent.Co.Uk.
- ^ https://m.imdb.com/title/tt9723240/