IAN-UK

Connecting overnight - 23:50-08:00. I know there are sleeping facilities in the lounge, but I've never needed them before and have no idea how they work, how they are allocated.

Anyone able to educate me?

I'm travelling Y, but have an Elite card to flash.

EK788

The day rooms are only available for J pax or Elite + members for layovers between 4 to 7 hours. They're pretty strict on that.

boosh

On top of that it has to be an int-int connection and one of the flights have to be more than 8 hours.

IAN-UK

Well, that's that then! Thanks for the information.

gr8pirate

In all my time playing around with flight routings I've only been able to find a one or two where the IST layover met the criteria for the private room. It's almost like they arrange their schedule around the day rooms :-)

boosh

Speaking from personal experience, I would much rather NOT have to rely on those rooms. They are quite noisy and therefore it is difficult to get some sleep. I didn't use earplugs as I was afraid I wouldn't hear my alarm and miss my flight.

IAN-UK

I'll try blagging it with my unparalleled charm When that fails, i'll bunker down in the lounge proper. Is there any consensus on the best place to stretch out for a nap?

EK788

Near the piano downstairs there are a bunch of those white sofas facing each other. What I do sometimes is push 2 together (when the lounge isn't crowded, of course). It's quite comfortable for a decent nap.

Another option is the "theater." The reclined seats there are decent.

IAN-UK

Love the idea of shooing people off the sofas to make up my bed

The theatre sounds perfect: a nice premium-style seat before I slot myself into an economy one for the onward trip

boosh

A few weeks ago I saw guy, with his shoes and socks of, sleeping on the sofa at the top of the stairs. I thought that was a bit much.

Maybe not worth it for your connection, but I have often used the Hilton Garden Inn. The rooms are great, its 10 min from the airport, there is a shuttle and the rooms are cheap. AND you get points, not many, but some.

Lewis42

I have slept in the IST lounge twice now...eugh.

First time I slept inside the theatre room, it wasn't so great for me, there were several other sleeps but there was just too much noise.

Second time I slept down stairs and pushed some of the sofa's together, this worked best and I managed to get a couple of hours kip. The important bit for me here is I have to be horizontal to sleep.

mtdd

I just spent the last 24 hours in the TAV Airside hotel, while the lounge filled up with people sleeping on the floor. It is excellent, though it lacks the frills of the Doha airside hotel which has a swimming pool suspended high above the main duty free concourse, squash courts, sauna and steam....

The airside hotel has I think 46 rooms, while the landside version has double that number at half the cost. Another good spot, we found over the last few days of chaos, is the TK business class arrivals lounge: we were the only pax there, and there are a couple of very nice day beds, showers, and an excellent breakfast. But it is only open until 1pm...

IAN-UK

more importantly (for me!) what time does it open?

OK, I can answer my own question - 5 am

boosh

And unfortunately, again it is only J or E+ pax who can use the arrivals lounge.

Lewis42

out of curiosity, do TK offer any discount for the E-visa for Elite+ members travelling in J? I don't see anything anywhere but it's worth a shot if I can save $20!