JW Marriott Bucharest Grand Hotel, Romania [Master Thread]
Jun 21, 2018, 12:31 pm
#76
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Sacramento area, CA USA
Programs: UA Gold Million Miler, HH Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,858
NO NO NO! Dreadful location. Hotel is fine but you want to be at the HILTON! Next to the opera house, art museum, all the historic parts of Bucharest. Hop on bus is right there also. Tons of little streets full of cozy local restaurants. Very nice lounge. We were in Bucharest in August,2016 before a river trip up the Danube. The river company was putting everyone up at the Marriott and it seemed easier to stay there continuously than to go to two different hotels. The Hilton is in a historic hotel. It is like staying in Paris downtown. The architecture is amazing. It truly is a grand hotel. In case you did not know, Bucharest is called the Paris of eastern Europe with a model of the arch of triumph. We stayed at the Hilton in 2001, a few days after 9/11, and it was a caring hotel for us.
Jun 21, 2018, 12:45 pm
#77
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Sacramento area, CA USA
Programs: UA Gold Million Miler, HH Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,858
Just so you don't think I am just living in the past, we visited the Hilton in August, 2016 and found it was just as elegant as ever. The walls have some photos of the hotel in its heyday when it was built around 100 years ago. Athenee Palace is its name and it truly still is a palace. You will not regret this stay. The Marriott is a newer business hotel, utterly lacking in charm. Check out the photos on line.
Jun 21, 2018, 1:35 pm
#78
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: UALifetimePremierGold, Marriott LifetimeTitanium
Posts: 71,107
It's good to know about the Hilton & thanks for the info in case someone is a Hilton member also, but if someone is only a MAR/SPG member they probably are going to focus on the MAR/SPG properties. Doesn't mean they can't go over to the Hilton for a drink though! 
Cheers.
Cheers.
Jun 22, 2018, 8:07 am
#79
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: DL PM, MR Titanium/LTP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,130
NO NO NO! Dreadful location. Hotel is fine but you want to be at the HILTON! Next to the opera house, art museum, all the historic parts of Bucharest. Hop on bus is right there also. Tons of little streets full of cozy local restaurants. Very nice lounge. We were in Bucharest in August,2016 before a river trip up the Danube. The river company was putting everyone up at the Marriott and it seemed easier to stay there continuously than to go to two different hotels. The Hilton is in a historic hotel. It is like staying in Paris downtown. The architecture is amazing. It truly is a grand hotel. In case you did not know, Bucharest is called the Paris of eastern Europe with a model of the arch of triumph. We stayed at the Hilton in 2001, a few days after 9/11, and it was a caring hotel for us.
Just so you don't think I am just living in the past, we visited the Hilton in August, 2016 and found it was just as elegant as ever. The walls have some photos of the hotel in its heyday when it was built around 100 years ago. Athenee Palace is its name and it truly still is a palace. You will not regret this stay. The Marriott is a newer business hotel, utterly lacking in charm. Check out the photos on line.
It's good to know about the Hilton & thanks for the info in case someone is a Hilton member also, but if someone is only a MAR/SPG member they probably are going to focus on the MAR/SPG properties. Doesn't mean they can't go over to the Hilton for a drink though!
Cheers.
Cheers.
So for this trip since none of the hotels are that close to where I'm going (will have to take a taxi/Uber regardless) more curious whether the Sheraton or the JW is the better option
Jul 13, 2018, 1:01 pm
#80
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: DCA
Posts: 7,769
Sorry, Duke, a little late for your work trip here but I stayed for four nights at the JW back in June and was highly impressed. Thoughtful welcome gifts, extremely professional service, great lounge, and fantastic on-site fitness center. Very, very good breakfast in the main restaurant on the mezzanine level. This is a proper modern hotel and I would return again in a heartbeat. I was there for leisure and while, no, the location is not central for that purpose, we did not have any issues seeing what we wanted to see. On the contrary, when on leisure stays I usually prefer to be away from the tourist mess...and for business, well, there are taxis.
Jul 13, 2018, 4:26 pm
#81
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: DL PM, MR Titanium/LTP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,130
Sorry, Duke, a little late for your work trip here but I stayed for four nights at the JW back in June and was highly impressed. Thoughtful welcome gifts, extremely professional service, great lounge, and fantastic on-site fitness center. Very, very good breakfast in the main restaurant on the mezzanine level. This is a proper modern hotel and I would return again in a heartbeat. I was there for leisure and while, no, the location is not central for that purpose, we did not have any issues seeing what we wanted to see. On the contrary, when on leisure stays I usually prefer to be away from the tourist mess...and for business, well, there are taxis.
Sep 6, 2018, 9:09 am
#83
Join Date: Apr 2007
Programs: QF, VA, AC, Hyatt, Marriott
Posts: 3,783
My stay here a month or so ago was quite pleasant. I was upgraded to a large king room with a ton of space. One annoyance was that a keycard was needed for power, including for the power outlets, so even when you're were out of room hoping to charge your devices, you needed to leave a keycard in. Frustrating.
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.
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.
Sep 6, 2018, 9:42 am
#84
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 86
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.
Sep 6, 2018, 3:13 pm
#85
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: lounge next door
Programs: *A Gold / ST Elite+ / OWS / EK G / HH Diam. / MR Tit / Hyatt GLOB / IHG Diam. / SL Jade / GHA Tit.
Posts: 1,527
Forget about this crappy place. Location is awful and the hotel is tired.
I always go the the Hilton and I love it. Best location and atmosphere.
I always go the the Hilton and I love it. Best location and atmosphere.
Sep 7, 2018, 12:01 am
#87
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: L.A.
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Titanium Elite, Delta Diamond, IHG Diamond Ambassador, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 1,135
i really enjoyed this hotel. Great service, nice rooms, nice lounge. I also liked the access to that nice workout center. I didn’t mind it being a public gym plus the pool was nice. We used Uber everywhere so location didn’t bother us either.
Sep 19, 2018, 2:07 pm
#88
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: lounge next door
Programs: *A Gold / ST Elite+ / OWS / EK G / HH Diam. / MR Tit / Hyatt GLOB / IHG Diam. / SL Jade / GHA Tit.
Posts: 1,527
I have tried the Sheraton (overpriced and small rooms, no outdoor seating or anything fancy), the Radisson (location is good but not my type of place, but outdoor pool is great), Marriott (sorry but I'm not a marriott guy and I hate the location and atmosphere. I only love the steakhouse there).
Sep 20, 2018, 9:41 am
#89
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: WAW
Programs: A3(*G), Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 2,534
got some friends and partners who love this hotel too. Maybe I'm biased because since 95 when I travel to Bucharest I go to Athenee palace and love it very much, location, lounge with balcony, view, location, restaurants around, terrace, English bar atmosphere, indoor pool, etc etc
I have tried the Sheraton (overpriced and small rooms, no outdoor seating or anything fancy), the Radisson (location is good but not my type of place, but outdoor pool is great), Marriott (sorry but I'm not a marriott guy and I hate the location and atmosphere. I only love the steakhouse there).
I have tried the Sheraton (overpriced and small rooms, no outdoor seating or anything fancy), the Radisson (location is good but not my type of place, but outdoor pool is great), Marriott (sorry but I'm not a marriott guy and I hate the location and atmosphere. I only love the steakhouse there).
Sep 20, 2018, 1:27 pm
#90
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: OKC
Programs: DL DM/2.768MM, Global Entry, Titanium_Marriott, GHertz
Posts: 6,748
My stay here a month or so ago was quite pleasant. I was upgraded to a large king room with a ton of space. One annoyance was that a keycard was needed for power, including for the power outlets, so even when you're were out of room hoping to charge your devices, you needed to leave a keycard in. Frustrating.
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.
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.