Weary-worn from travels from the U.S., with stop-overs in Europe, we arrived at Tel Aviv Ben Gurion airport roughly at midnight only to discover our large, checked suitcases had not arrived with us.
After a couple of hours to process paperwork, we hailed a cab to our Tel Aviv guest lodge (with no night staff) supposedly near the airport only not to be able to get in, and the phone number given to us for help, would not pick up.
What ensued was a return cab ride to the airport where we sat up and dozed until later in the morning.
Alerting Jerusalem Gold that we would arrive earlier than expected, we were welcomed by Mary (Maria) at the front desk with coffee and a warm welcome and seated in the lobby until we could check in.
The next day, when we returned to the hotel after a day out, Maria had hand-carried our luggage – delivered by the airline company, to our room and had left a nice note.
She was a breath of fresh air, and this friendly hotel, with great breakfasts, was a respite for two senior citizens who came from a different nation and a different faith during Passover.
It was a great joy to be there, and we are thankful we chose it. It is also well-located, across the street from Central Station which has a direct connection to the train that serves the airport, too, and right next to Jerusalem’s light rail and bus station.