Help: Bucureşti Hotel Recommendations
An important person will be coming to see me in Romania in a few months. While this guest will spend most of their time in Braşov (where we have an excellent hotel), there will be cause for them to stay in Bucureşti briefly.
I’d like to get some recommendations from my savvy readers in the capital city. I’m interested in some place hip. Something better than the westerner-friendly Bucharest Marriot, yet with more reasonable prices and maybe a little flair.
El Greco is somewhat okay, but slightly underposh for the high rates in my opinion. I really like the boutique Hotel Moxa, for example. Where can you get similar quality for a lower price? Can you get better quality for the same price? What else is something worth considering for the sophisticated traveller?
Monsoux? Gorgeoux? Stingo? Someone else? Help a Romerican out.
Update: September 28
Unless there’s a surprise darkhorse lurking within the next comment, then I, for one, think the decision is easy. With superb quality and styling, yet at least half the price of comparable rooms in Bucharest, Hotel Rembrandt wins hands down. Bonus points for M&M; mulţumesc mult.
September 27th, 2006 at 2:44 pm
Need any security? LOL!!!
September 27th, 2006 at 3:10 pm
The Bella Musica is great isn’t it? I haven’t used the hotel, but the restaurant is fantastic – took my folks there when they were here recently. It’s a really well designed and thought-out place, with good food, and really excellent service (and that is not something that’s easily found round these parts)
September 27th, 2006 at 3:11 pm
Everytime I leave a comment on here it vanishes.
September 27th, 2006 at 3:29 pm
john – Champing at the bit to get over here, eh? I tell ya whut, I’ll keep my ears to the ground for anything I know of. There are security firms over here by the way, some of whom handle higher detail than others.
In this particular case, I’m quite certain I’ll be ridin’ shotgun for the package. =]
Csiki Andy – Truely, it is a lovely place! I have not stayed in the hotel either, but the photos seems to speak for themselves. I have eaten in the restaurant more than once and find it to easily be one of Brasov’s finest dining experiences. It’s definitely a higher budget facility, for those of you watching your murse.
I agree with you that the decor is quite nice. The Mexican cuisine and Romanian dishes are very satisfying (although Mexican and TexMex connaisseurs will note the ‘mexican food’ served at Bella Musica is a Romanian-ized version). Service is very good indeed, with properly trained waiters who (usually) pay good attention to the table.
Plus you get a free shot of palinca with each meal. Gratuit!
What’s funny, to me, is that Bella Musica is an italian name for a restaurant specializing in Mexican food. Meanwhile, across the street is El Barrio with it’s Mexican/Spanish name disguising its’ italian food menu.
Sorry for the spamtrap errors. I noticed on the previous dialogue regarding BP, you seemed to sail through without trouble. And yet, I have noticed that a goodly number of your posts end up mislabeled. I’m not sure why Akismet seems to gag you, but I do keep an eye open and don’t believe anything’s really been lost… just delayed.
September 27th, 2006 at 6:48 pm
try hotel helvetia – great location and decent.
Ibis by gara de Nord is fine too, but the are can get a little sketchy at night in my opinion…
i can also ask my friend who is a traveling agent if she has any ideas. just shoot me an email or post on my blog if you’re interested.
September 27th, 2006 at 10:16 pm
If you’re looking for a deluxe hotel with a story to tell, then you should look no further than Athénée Palace. It may not be as grand as JW Marriott Bucharest, but it has something much more precious: character.
This fabulously located Belle-Epoque chef d’oeuvre fully deserves its centrality in novels such as Olivia Manning’s “Balkan Trilogy” (and in the adaptation for screen featuring Kenneth Branagh and Emma Thompson).
Another option would be Casa Capsa, the playground of Romanian and European royalty and artists in 19th-century Bucharest, from the Russian tsars to the Habsburg emperors and from Sarah Bernhardt to Josephine Baker. It has been recently renovated to its former glory and has apparently kept its original glamour intact
But I guess Hotel Rembrandt could also be a convenient option
As for boutique hotels in Brasov, Bella Musica looks very nice, but you could also consider Casa Wagner, Residence Hirscher or Casa Rozelor.
Good luck with making the best choice out of so many interesting options!
September 28th, 2006 at 1:13 am
Thank you for the nomination. I am so overwhelmed. I would like to thank my parents, my great crew, the members of the Academy and my fans. I love you!
Now seriously, my list:
Rembrandt (very much to my taste)
Novotel
Casa Capsa
Golden Tulip Victoriei
NH Hotel
Ramada Majestic
Howard Johnson
In this order.
September 28th, 2006 at 11:36 am
Ruxi, Musculin, Monsoux – Thanks for all the input and ideas here.
Unless someone else comes forth with groundbreaking updates, I think y’all have helped me find a very clear winner.
September 28th, 2006 at 12:39 pm
Cu placere :)
Glad I could help a Romerican out.
September 28th, 2006 at 7:56 pm
VERY nice response for your VIP….they should feel honored!!
September 30th, 2006 at 2:19 pm
I’m back in Romania! I just started teaching here in the village of Ciacova and that is an adventure in itself. Thanks for the comment. How are things?
September 30th, 2006 at 4:24 pm
I appreciate the words but, I know it doesn’t work like that! Even though I’d love the opportunity to be back in that geographical location, I know things are different. ;-)
As much as I complain and talk shit, I’m happy for the moment where I’m at. I’m working on a project, though, that has the potential to ensure a good future for a few. I’ll know it’s time for me to leave once this project is completed.
Thanks,
John
October 4th, 2006 at 10:09 am
I’ve been thinking about it but I wouldn’t know, really. When friends come to Bucharest, they crash at my place.
I never heard of Rembrandt Hotel, but it looks so beautiful!
October 5th, 2006 at 10:11 am
no need to publish this, but you’ve been tagged nevertheless http://monsoux.blogspot.com/2006/10/cyber-tagging.html
October 7th, 2006 at 7:16 pm
Well, in Bucuresti I always use the Funky Chicken hostel. $10 per night, dormitory style sleeping. Of course if I had a need for privacy or was with a sweetie, I’d choose otherwise. But for a couple nights with in a cheap, clean bed it can’t be beat.
July 22nd, 2007 at 4:28 pm
The best VIP place to stay in Bucharest, by any measure, is the Carol Parc Hotel. http://www.carolparchotel.ro