Airport Hotel Mara

I wouldn’t book here if you want to sleep properly before a flight. This is a very basic hotel, possibly less than basic, and I wouldn’t recommend more than one night. Even then, it only makes sense if you’re on a tight budget and need to be near the airport. I haven’t stayed at the nearby Hampton by Hilton, but paying a little more there might be worthwhile if it means getting some proper sleep. I didn’t sleep well here. In my Standard Double Room, the bathroom ventilation smelled like rotten eggs. I could hear people walking upstairs loudly enough to wake me during the night. After someone in another room flushed, there was an obvious noise inside the walls, probably water refilling the toilet. A separate, louder buzzing sound started at seemingly random times and could wake a light sleeper. There was no main ceiling light, only bedside lamps to light the room, and no kettle for tea or coffee. The toilet was unusual, small and low, with a lot of water, and the carpet felt dirty and greasy under bare feet. When I reached my room, its door was already wide open with a doorstop holding it there, and the window was open too. I checked in three and a half hours after the earliest check-in time. Maybe they were airing out the rotten egg smell, or perhaps room service forgot to close the door.

The breakfast was okay and the location was good, but the first-floor room was awful. The walls were so thin that every sound and people’s footsteps came through loudly, and I couldn’t sleep at night. When guests arrive at night, this is one of the basics the hotel should take care of.

The receptionist was very polite, friendly, and nice, and seemed to work in different parts of the hotel, including reception and the bar. The location is great if you need to be near the airport, and the hotel was very clean in the rooms and other areas. Bathroom maintenance was needed, at least in room 201. The room was extremely warm, with no air conditioning. They provided a fan, but it didn’t help much when it was over 28 degrees outside, and the window was open when I checked in. There was no ceiling light, just two bedside lamps, and the toilet seat was very low and uncomfortable. I also didn’t understand why so many room doors were open when they seemed unoccupied.

We were a family of four and got an extra bed on request without any trouble. Everyone fitted comfortably in a two-bed room. The dinner pleasantly surprised us with its range of options, and the Kvass was delicious. The kids loved having space to run around and a swing before our early flight. We even spotted an apple tree. It also felt good to support a local business.