Addis Ababa, often called the political capital of Africa, is a city with a rich cultural mosaic. Founded by Ethiopian Emperor Menelik in 1892, it's a city that has worn its heart on its sleeve. With rising new development, Addis has rapidly expanded its tourist attractions in the last two years making it one of the most attractive cities to visit according to the World Travel Guide.
Among the city's many attractions is the lovely Ambassador Hotel Addis Ababa, situated in the Bole district, not far from Medhane Alem Cathedral. Here's a look at what makes this hotel a notable destination, along with insights into the entrepreneurial spirit that shaped it.
A Comfortable Stay
The Ambassador Hotel features 246 rooms with views of the city. The non-smoking rooms feature a seating area complete with an iron and ironing board, and a fan, as well as complimentary wireless internet and a flat-screen TV with satellite channels. Along with a fireplace, they also have a writing table and a cabinet.
Guests are invited to the onsite lounge bar to unwind with a drink. The 4-star hotel is situated in the center of Addis Ababa, not far from Cameroon Street.
Exceptional Hospitality
Many visitors have lauded the hotel for its exceptional staff and ideal location. The staff went above and beyond, demonstrating exceptional hospitality, and I felt truly at home. The location is excellent, with a safe neighborhood that offers plenty of nearby restaurants and cafes, perfect for a relaxing stroll.
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The location was also ideal, situated in a safe neighborhood with plenty of pleasant walking options nearby for meals and coffee. I had a fantastic experience at the hotel, as the staff was incredibly professional, friendly, and genuinely caring, making me feel right at home.
The Story of Seid: From Humble Beginnings to Entrepreneurial Success
The Ambassador Hotel is part of a larger story of Ethiopian entrepreneurship, spearheaded by a man named Seid. Born in Adi Awro, Tigray and growing up where there was no power, water, or even a bed to sleep on, Seid would first be introduced to the garment industry at the tender age of six when his father gave ETB600 to his older brother to start a business.
After doing some small entrepreneurial works, Seid moved to Addis Ababa where he began the journey of Ambassador Garment with a single used stitching machine which he bought for ETB1,000 in Mercato. Paying a monthly rent of ETB20 around 30 years ago, Seid would commence his positive and profitable trajectory.
The small business he has launched by hiring himself as an employee has now grown to employ thousands and fashionably-dress innumerable more with a vision of being a figure for a modern lifestyle brand. Now, Ambassador Garment is the destination for sharp men’s suits for the aspiring Ethiopian middle-class male. His small cloth patching machine has catapulted him to take on other business ventures.
Ethiopia's weavers struggle to keep garment tradition alive
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Family and Business
Seid is a family man, with seven children and 13 grandchildren. All my children, except for one, work with me. One of my sons is actually deputy-CEO of Ambassador. We are all both a family and a team in the business world. One of my daughters has been the manager of Ambassador Hotel and Ambassador Mall. Our brand has advanced to the second generation-I no longer sign cheques.
Seid emphasizes the importance of setting goals and learning through experience. The skill to prepare quarterly sales reports and plans, for example, came much later after numerous business engagements. Attending numerous meetings and working with so many professionals and the experiences that came along slowly brought such skills towards us.
Business Ventures and Challenges
Ambassador Garment has evolved over the years, adapting to changing market conditions. We have stopped manufacturing suits as we have outsourced it to a factory inside the Adama Industrial Park, opened only for the garment industries and where two lines are dedicated to us. Other big brands do such things, too. Whether it is Nike or Adidas, they outsource their manufacturing and focus on their branding and that is what we are doing now. We focus more on design, branding, marketing, promotion, and those aspects of the business.
Seid believes in creating a free environment for his employees and values open communication. I believe in creating a free environment for my employees. We [have very collegial relations with everyone in the company and] joke amongst ourselves. I know most of my employees by name. Involving my wife and children in my business has taught me to be open to criticism.
Expansion and Future Plans
Looking ahead, Seid has ambitious plans for further expansion. We will expand and continue in real estate. I think we will also have another mall like the one we are in right now [which is in Addis Ababa’s Arat Kilo area, near the House of People’s Representatives]. And we will definitely expand in the garment business-avoiding polyester and trying to focus on wool. We also have plans for developments in Mekelle, Debre Birhan, Adama, and Hawassa.
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Reflections on the Past and Advice for the Youth
Seid reflects on the challenges he faced growing up during times of conflict. Growing up at a time when the Dergue regime was at war with the [Tigray People’s Liberation Front] TPLF and [Eritrea People’s Liberation Front] EPLF. At some point, tanks, gun shots, and death became the everyday actuality. That was my reality in my youth.
He advises the youth to focus on work and building a better future. So, my advice to the youth that has to deal with such a harsh reality is to focus on work-no matter how hard it sounds. We inherited wars from our parents and now, our children are inheriting wars from us in the same way.
Addis Ababa: A City of Culture and Opportunity
Addis Ababa offers a plethora of cultural experiences for tourists.
- Museums: Be sure to book your time to visit all of the above and more museums including the home of Lucy, the most famous skeleton of Australopithecus and our oldest hominid ancestor. It might not be the largest museum in the world, but it offers a wide collection of artistic, historical, and archaeological exhibits.
- Meskel Square: Meskel Square is a must-see landmark in Addis Ababa. The square is the site where locals celebrate Meskel (the foundation of the True Cross of Jesus Christ) every year on September 27th.
- Coffee Culture: It is impossible to separate Ethiopian culture from coffee. Ethiopia is the land of the finest premium quality Arabica coffee in the world and, as legend would have it, was discovered by an Ethiopian goat herder in the foothills of the Kaffa region around the 6th century.
Addis Ababa is starting to align its accommodation options with the rest of the continent, as one of Africa’s developing tourist destinations.
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Altitude | World’s third-highest capital city at 2,665 metres above sea level |
| Languages | Amharic (national language), English, French, Italian, Arabic |
| Cultural Significance | Home to the headquarters of the African Union and a large United Nations population |
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