Went to Edirne for the Gypsy festival - Edirne was packed with travelers, and according to our tour guide, these were about the last rooms available in the city. So I was thinking - okay, if this is the last place in town people want to go to, what will it be like? We arrived in Edirne, finding the hotel on a moderately busy street, and it carried two stars. I thought, okay, in a country where hotel stars seem relatively easy go come by, what will it be like inside?
Well - I was proven a typical skeptical European all the way. Check-in for 40 people? No problem. Getting them to their rooms and bringing their luggage up the stairs? Sure - a whole gang of young guys was waiting, proudly wearing their Efe Hotel shirts, and they couldn't have been more attentive.
The rooms? Actually, I have stayed in places that had three stars and offered less comfortable rooms. Large beds, a small moderately priced mini-bar, a large TV, everything absolutely clean and tidy. A small A/C if needed, the bathroom absolutely sufficient, with a clean large shower stall, two bars of soap, fresh towels - you really can't expect more.
Breakfast is, of course, a traditional Turkish affair - tomatos and cucumbers, white cheese and sausage, olives and lots of bread. Add some cereals and about a dozen different fruit juices - you really can't complain, keeping those two stars in mind.
And when we came back to the hotel on our first evening, returning after a long night out, some time around midnight, and were still up for a beer or two, we were gladly served in the lobby, having a really good time.
A speedy and professional checkout completed a really fine stay. The Efe may not be the Sheraton, but it's a good hotel, and considering the rates it's a super deal. read more
