As we left the immigration and reached the baggage belts, I realized the baggage trolley needs a 1 Euro deposit fee. Lucky I had 2 euro coin from the coffee purchase at Istanbul airport
Bags were there before we got there. Loaded and searched a bit for the Sofitel. There are signs but all implying that we should exit the airport to reach the hotel. Didn't want to risk that before we had complete information. Approached the information desk and we were told to take exit 3 and just cross the road.
Infact, the road referred to the traffic lanes dropping and picking up passengers and the 2 lane road leading to the airport. We could sight the hotel as soon as we came through the doors of exit 3. All lanes had zebra crossing to the hotel.
Barely a 2min walk with our baggage trolley. Safely done.
There is a baggage trolley parking lot just outside the hotel restaurant. We left ours there and rolled the bags about 20mtrs to the door where the porters collected our bags.
Checking in was efficient but lengthy with lots of explanations about restaurant, spa and gym. Forms were filled in 2mins as they already sighted our reservation under my name. None of the aforementioned explanations could be remembered due to our jet lagged state.
At the lifts we ran into an elderly but friendly chatty couple. They got out of the lifts and we got on and they got back on again. Pressed 3 for our floor. Theirs was 4. Before the doors could close, the porter told us to swipe our card without which we would not be going anywhere. The couple made aahs and oohs and explained to us that they had been trying to go up. We chatted for a minute and wished them well. Billi says firangs are so social unlike us. Referring to the chatty Americans at the immigration and this couple. I agreed.
The room itself was very comfortable. Didn't mind the old carpeting or the ageing bathrooms. The room and the bathroom were squeaky clean. Bed was super comfortable and I had pre-ordered our choice of pillows. Squeaky clean crisp white sheets, super pillows. Ck had a small baby bed too! We discussed about the spa services and we decided to think about it later. The toilet was in a separate room from the shower. Rain shower beckoned for me. The bath tub beckoned for ck and we got her done first. Me next and billi last through the rain shower.
Ck was cranky by then and we decided to put her to bed first and then go to dinner after her nap completes. Good thing we did that.
We slept like logs and I woke up at 4am the next morning feeling amazingly fresh and a little hungry. Billi woke up at half past 5 and super hungry. But i get the feeling this took care of our jet lag. Am looking forward to the flight ino santorini.
