Into Germany and The IBIS Hotel
Aircraft Interiors Expo 2022: Back in Person
- Redemption seats exist for a reason
- Off to LHR, Terminal 5 South Lounge
- BA0974 London Heathrow to Hamburg (Club Europe)
- Into Germany and IBIS Hotel
- What you might have missed from Aircraft Interiors Expo 2022
- What do I get up to on the off-hours? (or “Do you have a life?”)
- Back to Hamburg Airport
- BA0957 Hamburg to London Heathrow (Club Europe)
- There’s a coach around here, I swear…
- Innovation continues
Into Germany
After exiting the aircraft, it was a matter of following the signs towards immigration and passing by the Beeline aircraft.
Descending into immigration, an official was sorting passengers out into EU and non-EU passengers (with UK passengers directed to the non-EU lane).
The immigration process was simple enough, with a reason asked for my visit to Germany. My passport was stamped, and I was set on my way.
To the Ausgang!
From there it was through the busy luggage hall and out into the public area.
I took a few minutes to organise myself and then headed off to the S-Bahn to catch the train into the city.
This way…
Now, it’s been advised widely, but Germany is offering €9 train tickets for June, July and August. This includes local transit options too as Germany fights the cost of fuel, as well as trying to incentivise people to take public transport.
I had paid for mine online a few days before and thus had an electronic copy in the DB App ready to roll.
Whilst regional trains, buses and services are mostly proof of payment in the Hamburg region, it means that you must have your ticket ready for inspection on demand. I’ve seen too many people caught out by ticket checks occurring – and having to face a fine.
Just pay up to use public transport – it’s easier, rather than risking the fines.
The train took me towards Berliner Tor today, as engineering works were occurring outside Hamburg Hbf station. Thankfully, this station has a connection to the U3 line – which would take me to St Pauli Station.
A simple two-seat ride is never a bad thing when it comes to public transit, even when you’re only a bit familiar with the transit network.
At the time of travelling, Germany still insists on FFP2 masks for public transport. Be forwarned.
From here, it’s very familiar steps (to the point I know which end of the station to get off at, to which steps look familiar), finally popping out at the head of the Reeperbahn. I peeled right and headed off to the road behind it – where the Premier Inn (what was a Holiday Inn Express), Ibis Budget and Ibis Hotel are.
But no fairground here this time.
No more Holiday Inn Express. Hello Premier Inn
Normally, dear readers, we’d go past the Ibis to the Ibis Budget. But today, I’m feeling fancy… well, €3 extra fancy.
What does that €3 get you?
IBIS Hotel, St Pauli
I wandered into the hotel -which was nice and brightly light, with lots of space (something the Ibis Budget lacks). I found reception – however, it was unmanned. A moment later, someone popped out. Using a mixture of broken German and English, I was able to check-in without any problems.
Well, except with my Curve card. Considering some of the changes Curve is going through, it’s getting to0 the point where I’m pondering ditching it.
With the payment issue sorted, I was issued my keycard.
I headed to the lifts, remembering to tap the keycard to access the upper floors.
I arrived at room door – 312. What wonders would await me?
On going in, one has to put the keycard in the slot to power the room. An important note here – when the card is removed from the slot, it turns off power straight away, rather than a delayed power-down. It’s a useful thing to remember if you’re charging anything and you are popping out for some snacks.
The room is a simple and modular design. Front and centre is the double bed (no more bunks for yours truly).
As well as that, there’s a desk facing out to the street (rather than to people’s homes on the other side), the oddest hanger and clothing storage I’ve seen.
Also, the window opens up fully to allow air circulation – considering how asthmatic the air conditioning system was in the hotel, being able to open the window was a godsend.
There’s also a tv and multiple power outlets – a welcome thing to see when you have all the electronics to charge.
The bathroom unit is an interesting beast. It is an all-in-one unit that is bolted into the room, containing a sink, toilet and shower. If you have accessibility issues, it’s important to remember that there is a nasty step up/step down in the unit.
Nonetheless, the shower had reasonable pressure and the wall-bolted amenities were more than passable.
In terms of sleep, this bed was pretty reasonable – I had no issues falling asleep on the thing with it in the middle between firm and not too soft. I did have problems with my glasses falling down the back of the mattress, but that’s life.
I’d love to comment on the quality of the TV channels offered – but if I’m honest, I tend not to power on a TV often these days. The world is depressing enough online – I don’t need it to be the same in the rest of the world.
Internet connectivity was a bit of a shock, however. I’m used to German hotels offering up to 3-4Mb connectivity on their free tiers (because my wallet is strained enough during this trade show). I was getting 100Mb connectivity this time.
Wow. That is one hell of an improvement.
What the actual… Perfect for streaming all the content in 4K.
Check-out was a breeze – at the end of the stay, I was asked for my room number and the key, and was checked out of the hotel.
Overall
Whilst the IBIS Hotel is a budget brand, it delivered in a bed, fast internet, a place to wash and clean as well, as being a must more colourful environment than an IBIS budget (it also helped there were more power sockets too).
With the €3 price difference, there is no competition to this or an ibis budget if I’m travelling alone.
Although I did miss the bunk bead and my head banging on it.
Next: What did you miss from AIX?
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