JW Marriott Bucharest Grand Hotel, Romania [Master Thread]
Sep 21, 2018, 4:08 am
some here think I complain too much or too picky but with 350+ nights a year in hotels you have time to see the good, the bad and the ugly
Jan 13, 2019, 10:08 pm
The executive lounge had a very nice evening spread which was all of good quality. There were two beers, two wines but no spirits. There is also an afternoon tea service. As a Platinum I was able to take breakfast in the restaurant which also had an extensive offering.
I received twice daily housekeeping but, despite hanging the towels for re-use they were always replaced. I wonder if hotels will ever get this right.
I chose the F&B as the Platinum (this is pre-18 August) amenity. It was billed as a couple of bottles of local beer and some crackers but it was an extensive platter. An example of under-promising and over-delivering, I guess. When I returned one day for an extra keycard I was offered a choice of a further Platinum amenity and chose a pair of Romanian keyrings.
The hotel's gym is a public gym so it's extensive with plenty of equipment. There was a sauna and an indoor pool that was being refurbished while I was there. There is also a casino but it cost RON50 for entry and the table game area is not smoke free.
Hotel staff were wonderful at every point. Each morning at breakfast I was thanked for being a Platinum member (incidentally, by trainees, which obviously suggests that the training includes elite recognition which is great). One disappointment was the concierge booking me into a tour of parliament but neglected to mention I required my passport for entry so I walked the 12-15 minutes up the road only to have to turn around again. The other minor point is that the stay has failed to post to my Marriott account and the hotel has so far ignored three emails (after first acknowledging one) that they would provide me with an invoice so I can file a missing stay request.
The hotel offers a complimentary shuttle service from the airport to the hotel on the top of the hour but it does need to be pre-booked. The cost is a very reasonable RON45 (less than EUR10). The journey time is between 20 and 30 minutes and the driver met me with a JW Marriott sign at arrivals. There is really not much in the vicinity of the hotel, other than perhaps a carrefour a block away. Taxis are quite cheap but not particularly friendly. On three occasions I was quoted an off-meter price that was exorbitant so I simply used an Uber for a fraction of the cost (although on one occasion the Uber driver was smoking when he picked me up so I promptly cancelled). One of the bellman strongly suggested Uber over the local taxis.
I am in a monster room with a view of the National Cathedral and Parliament.
The lounge food especially last evening was very good.
When I called early this morning to book the hotel shuttle for 3:30 am tomorrow, the front desk said it does not run at those hours. I told him that the hotel web says 24/7. He later called and said they could do 3:30 am. Moments after that he said, no it would have to be 3 or 4 am and it can take 40 minutes even that early in the morning. This is disappointing since they could not even pick me up at the airport yesterday when I arrived and tried to make a reservation.
Does anyone know if I could use Uber or the Taxify app that early in the morning to go to the airport? I know the hotel has a limo service that would do 3:30 am, but it helps to know what is and is not possible.
Feb 10, 2019, 3:47 am
Two things:
The-mail address [email protected] works perfectly (as above)
My shuttle transfer request was replied to within 10 mins (details as below)
“
Thank you for choosing J.W. Marriott as your stay in Bucharest.
We confirm the following transfer:
Date: 12.02.19
Hour: 12:00 / Tarom RO232
Transfer: A-H
Cost: 45 RON (VAT included), will be charged on your room account.
The driver will wait for you on the left side of the International Arrivals terminal, holding a pick-up sign with the logo of our hotel.
If you have any problems locating the driver, please contact us at the number +4.021.403.2950, and we will assist you in finding him.
If you wish to cancel or modify the transfer, please contact us with minimum 3 hours in advance.“
Jun 19, 2019, 12:54 pm
I am traveling to the Bucharest in late July. This is a working trip, and I will be staying in Bucharest for 8 days. Which hotel do you suggest me Marriott JW or Hilton Athene Palace?
Pro for JW is that is recently renovated but I can not get anything above Executive Room (company policy) while in Hilton I can get Junior Suite. Pro for Hilton is more central location and bigger room. What would you suggest me?
Best Regards DC10
Jun 19, 2019, 5:04 pm
I am traveling to the Bucharest in late July. This is a working trip, and I will be staying in Bucharest for 8 days. Which hotel do you suggest me Marriott JW or Hilton Athene Palace?
Pro for JW is that is recently renovated but I can not get anything above Executive Room (company policy) while in Hilton I can get Junior Suite. Pro for Hilton is more central location and bigger room. What would you suggest me?
Best Regards DC10
Jun 19, 2019, 8:58 pm
Jun 20, 2019, 12:30 am
Actually the Marriott is closer to the opera house than the other chain hotels. You may be thinking of the Ateneum which is a concert hall right next door to the Hilton.
Nov 21, 2021, 10:44 pm
Huge hotel with some quite spectacular features. Things of note:
- You need a negative COVID test certificate to enter - even with a reservation
- No suite upgrade but upgraded to much larger room as Titanium with view over front entrance
- Lounge access was given but only open at night
- Breakfast in the Steak Restaurant very good - cooked to order eggs for example. Assisted buffet style.
- Fair bit of corridor noise at night but it was a weekend with a couple of soccer teams staying
- 30 minutes from airport - Uber and Bolt readily available
Oct 25, 2022, 1:15 pm
JW Marriott Bucharest Grand Hotel
JW Marriott Bucharest Grand Hotel
Calea 13 Septembrie No 90 Bucharest, RO 76122
JW Marriott Bucharest Grand Hotel (19 Photos)
JW Marriott Bucharest Grand Hotel
Overall
This is a very large hotel located outside of the the city center. It is an elegant. Majestic hotel.
This hotel is perhaps not the best situated to the tourist that wants to be in the thick, of things and wants to walk to most sites. However, it is still well located.
Considering the lounge and platinum benefits, this might be one of the more interesting platinum/titanium options.
Check In
I had booked the entry level room. I checked in using the app and had requested a mobile key. That process did not work and I was never given a mobile key.
However, I was warmly welcomed at the reception in the beautiful lobby. My documents were already ready along with my key. I only needed to sign and show my ID. My cerdit card did not need to be swiped.
I was thanked for my loyalty and offerered a welcome amenity of 1000 points or a 10 USD F&B amenity. I went for the points.
I was given an upgrade to an Executive Grand Room.
There is a good amount of upscale shopping on the ground floor.
Service
This hotel has a nice lounge on the 8th (top floor).
They have many different service times, including breakfast evening snacks and Happy Hour.
I just missed out on the evening buffet. From a previous visit I remember it being reasonably good. I did not particularly care for the wines on offer, however, so I left fairly quickly in the evening.
I used the app several times to make requests of the front desk. However that seemed to be as successful as the mobile key. I eventually had to call them. The desired items were then swiftly dispatched.
For breakfast the staff was very friendly. I found many of the warm items to be too cold however. The items are all nicely presented with labels in English and Romanian.
Room
The room is well appointed.
Single use cosemtics
The bathroom has a separate bathtub and shower. Overall a very nice bathroom.
The minibar was well stocked. The Nespresso machine was nice.
There was an extra welcome amenity of four golden macarons, Not my favorite but still welcomed. My work colleagues gobbled them up on the following day and said they were decent.
The desk had enough outlets including 110V, if you are coming from NA. I did not find any< USB ports. Perhaps there is one on the tv.
The bed is spacious and really comfortable. The television has a good collection of international programs.
I like the accent plants within the room. Otherwise it was perhaps a bit dark.
The view from the room is onto a large traffic circle and two churches. I expect that they are interesting tourist sites, but I am too busy this week with work and hopping from hotel to hotel.
The window opens a bit which allowed me to take some pictures, although I almost dropped my phone. :)
Dining
There are two main restaurants, Champions (Sports Bar) and a Marriott Steakhouse. The latter seemed close during my stay. I went to the sports bar. The food and service was okay. It was what I expected.
Part of the steakhouse is used for the regular full breakfast in the morning. I ate in the lounge and did not ask if there was a reduction in price or complimentary for platinum guests.
Oct 1, 2023, 8:47 am
Oct 1, 2023, 1:54 pm