Because it was supposed to be a hotbead of imperialism, the management of the hotel was always very eager to demonstrate loudly in favour of the Republic. On Labour Day they had gorgeous banners hung, telling everyone that the Astoria was loyal to the revolution. It will be noticed that the lower windows are still boarded up.
This page from my Hagia Sophia website shows the sources that were used in the creation of the website.
Everone when visits Hagia Sophia as a tourist today enters from the vestibule on the south side of the building. Here was discovered a beautiful mosaic.