Sheraton Bucharest Hotel, Romania [Master Thread]
Aug 29, 2015, 1:17 am
#1
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Sheraton Bucharest Hotel, Romania [Master Thread]
First hotel in Romania finally opened in the Capital of Bucharest. SPG Category 3.
According to the website, no opening promotions currently. Rooms looks to be small in size starting with Classic Rooms at 258-280 sq ft / 24-26 m˛ and Club Suites at 409 sq ft / 38 m˛.
Nearest subway station is Piata Romana Subway Station which is about 2 mins away. Interestingly they are charging in Euros instead of the local Leu.
According to the website, no opening promotions currently. Rooms looks to be small in size starting with Classic Rooms at 258-280 sq ft / 24-26 m˛ and Club Suites at 409 sq ft / 38 m˛.
Nearest subway station is Piata Romana Subway Station which is about 2 mins away. Interestingly they are charging in Euros instead of the local Leu.
Aug 29, 2015, 10:42 am
#5
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You got it; they took over and renovated the former Howard Johnson Grand Plaza. Nice to see Starwood expand in Europe... Now they need to reestablish their presence in Budapest with the imminent departure of the Le Méridien there.
khabah
khabah
Aug 31, 2015, 5:43 am
#8
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This is great news. I was just in Bucharest (last April) and I found the hotel options to be atrocious. Ended up going with the Hilton, which was actually quite nice, all things considered (not luxury but the views and walkability were incredible and the club lounge was above-average for Eastern Europe). From what I was told by my Romanian friends, the Radisson Blu is the 'best of the best'. Wouldn't know, as I only saw the casino.
Someone a bit more familiar with OTP - can you speak to the walkability of this location? How far from the Romanian Atheneum and/or the "main square" (forget the name)...
Someone a bit more familiar with OTP - can you speak to the walkability of this location? How far from the Romanian Atheneum and/or the "main square" (forget the name)...
Aug 31, 2015, 8:04 am
#9
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This is great news. I was just in Bucharest (last April) and I found the hotel options to be atrocious. Ended up going with the Hilton, which was actually quite nice, all things considered (not luxury but the views and walkability were incredible and the club lounge was above-average for Eastern Europe). From what I was told by my Romanian friends, the Radisson Blu is the 'best of the best'. Wouldn't know, as I only saw the casino.
Someone a bit more familiar with OTP - can you speak to the walkability of this location? How far from the Romanian Atheneum and/or the "main square" (forget the name)...
Someone a bit more familiar with OTP - can you speak to the walkability of this location? How far from the Romanian Atheneum and/or the "main square" (forget the name)...
Mar 14, 2016, 11:25 am
#12
Join Date: Sep 2012
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I stayed here over the new year and meant to post a mini-review earlier.
As I think others have noted, this used to be the Howard Johnson, but you wouldn't be able to tell now. The hotel has been well renovated and feels like a good quality Sheraton.
I was warmly welcomed by the front desk staff and told all the amenities of the hotel and my SPG Platinum was recognized and the benefits explained.
I'd been upgraded to a nice suite and was pleasantly surprised to find a welcome amenity in my room of some chocolates and fruit along with a note from the GM. The room was comfortable and modern. The espresso machine (similar to k-cup) was a nice touch. The hotel does participate in "Make a Green Choice".
The Club lounge is excellent. The hotel was not busy when I stayed and so I was often the only person in the lounge and the staff soon got to know me and looked after me very well. In the evening there are complementary alcoholic beverages and a wide array of snacks - including sushi and desserts. Hot breakfast in the lounge was also good, eggs either scrambled or as mini eggs benedicts, potatoes and either sausage or bacon. A wide variety of breads and pastries, fruits, yogurts and cheeses were also available.
The only problem I had was on my fifth day - I discovered that the door to my room didn't lock. Although when closing the door, the lock would engage and the handle would lock, the door could be easily pushed open with a little pressure. Maintenance had to remove the strike plate from the door jamb and lower it so the locking mechanism would work. Although the problem was quickly addressed, it was concerning that it hadn't been seen before - the hotel had been opened for months after the renovation and nobody had noticed - or someone had and it hadn't been addressed. The staff assured me it was only my door that had a problem - I don't know how they knew that though. I hope by now, if there were problems with other doors, that they've addressed them. Otherwise, it's a very nice hotel and if I was in the area, I'd stay again.
As I think others have noted, this used to be the Howard Johnson, but you wouldn't be able to tell now. The hotel has been well renovated and feels like a good quality Sheraton.
I was warmly welcomed by the front desk staff and told all the amenities of the hotel and my SPG Platinum was recognized and the benefits explained.
I'd been upgraded to a nice suite and was pleasantly surprised to find a welcome amenity in my room of some chocolates and fruit along with a note from the GM. The room was comfortable and modern. The espresso machine (similar to k-cup) was a nice touch. The hotel does participate in "Make a Green Choice".
The Club lounge is excellent. The hotel was not busy when I stayed and so I was often the only person in the lounge and the staff soon got to know me and looked after me very well. In the evening there are complementary alcoholic beverages and a wide array of snacks - including sushi and desserts. Hot breakfast in the lounge was also good, eggs either scrambled or as mini eggs benedicts, potatoes and either sausage or bacon. A wide variety of breads and pastries, fruits, yogurts and cheeses were also available.
The only problem I had was on my fifth day - I discovered that the door to my room didn't lock. Although when closing the door, the lock would engage and the handle would lock, the door could be easily pushed open with a little pressure. Maintenance had to remove the strike plate from the door jamb and lower it so the locking mechanism would work. Although the problem was quickly addressed, it was concerning that it hadn't been seen before - the hotel had been opened for months after the renovation and nobody had noticed - or someone had and it hadn't been addressed. The staff assured me it was only my door that had a problem - I don't know how they knew that though. I hope by now, if there were problems with other doors, that they've addressed them. Otherwise, it's a very nice hotel and if I was in the area, I'd stay again.
Apr 8, 2016, 8:10 am
#14
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Pleasantly Surprised
Just checked in. Greeted personally by Front desk manager and 2 other people. Upgraded to 1 bedroom Club Suite with a half toilet in living room. Waiting in room is a bottle of wine, a note from GM, and fruits (possibly from Ambassador requests)
Room looks very fresh and clean, so that's a plus. Also, WiFi thankfully is quite fast, can view streaming videos without any problems.
I have to say though that the lounge is quite great (18th floor) for European standards. Hot food and sushi even at 4 PM. Possibly more stuff at 6 PM. So that's a plus.
Transportation per way by Hotel car is 40 euros. Not a Mercedes or the like, but some manufacturer that I haven't seen in Asia.
Anyways, the hotel is cheap per night BUT it offsets the tours you take to Transylvania or Dracula's real castles (not Bran Castle). It's 200 euros per day! I mean there's so much to see in Romania especially if you're a history buff but wow the tours are bloody expensive. A 4-5 day tour would cost you around 800-1000 euros. So be prepared! Only Bran Castle and Brasov do group tours, the rest has to be private
Room looks very fresh and clean, so that's a plus. Also, WiFi thankfully is quite fast, can view streaming videos without any problems.
I have to say though that the lounge is quite great (18th floor) for European standards. Hot food and sushi even at 4 PM. Possibly more stuff at 6 PM. So that's a plus.
Transportation per way by Hotel car is 40 euros. Not a Mercedes or the like, but some manufacturer that I haven't seen in Asia.
Anyways, the hotel is cheap per night BUT it offsets the tours you take to Transylvania or Dracula's real castles (not Bran Castle). It's 200 euros per day! I mean there's so much to see in Romania especially if you're a history buff but wow the tours are bloody expensive. A 4-5 day tour would cost you around 800-1000 euros. So be prepared! Only Bran Castle and Brasov do group tours, the rest has to be private
Jun 11, 2016, 9:11 am
#15
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Well, these reports look re-assuring. I'm heading to Sofia and Bucharest on a whim in a few days and didn't know what to expect. I'm disappointed that my Sofia stay will be dreadful. The Senses Design Hotel was not added into the system until a couple of days ago. I am, however, looking forward to the Bucharest stay. Any advice for 2,5 days here? Is it easy to get to from OTP?