Find here a list of some hotels I recommend in Bucharest (especially the boutique kind).

Every other country has its particularities when it comes to many issues. While not particularly unique in the region, Romania has its oddities when it comes to the hospitality business. I have listed here some of the issues I met while traveling or working in this country (as Bucharest does not stand alone in Romania from this point of view).

Generally speaking, Romanians have extremely poor communication skills (I dare say the worst of the countries I have been to) and hotel employees confirm the rule (while exceptions do exist). The fact that a hotel has a website and an e-mail does not automatically mean someone actually updates the website when something changes or checks the e-mail. On the other hand, even if they do, same day (or not more than 24 hours later) answer is not compulsory in Romanian staff’s mentality. They might answer immediately, a few hours, days or even months (it did happen) later. Or they might very well never answer. Reasons will be plentiful, for Romanians love finding reasons not to do things: they got caught in a day long meeting, they were working on a major event or group, they were out of the office or on holidays (and of course nobody is checking their e-mail during their absence, while there is no out of the office automatic reply), they had some issues at home. It snowed, it rained, it was sunny, it was cold or hot. There will always be someone or something to blame, but not the person you write to and get no reply from. For that reason, do follow up, call them, tell them you have sent them an e-mail, ask who you are talking to (they will not tell it themselves except for a handful of top end chain hotels), write down that piece of information. And never assume they got it right, for they very well might not pay attention when talking to you on the phone, repeatedly saying “yes” just to get rid of you and continue doing nothing.

Make your request as simple to understand and firm as possible. If there is something they do not understand in your, say, booking, the hotel staff will ignore your e-mail; do not expect them to call you or e-mail back asking for more details.

This is the country where nobody ever assumes responsibility. For that reason and not only, ask for a written confirmation for even the smallest detail linked to your booking: non smoking room, extra bed, baby cot, late check-in, front view room.

It is always too early for people in this field. “There is still time, plenty of time” is a particularly frequent answer to many issues. And then, you have got it right, everything will be late. If you need a technician for your conference at 9 AM, ask him to get there at 8:30 AM because he will be late anyway, cursing, blaming traffic, his neighbours, their cat or anyway, anyone but himself. Do not stay in touch only with the receptionist, but also make sure you get the guy’s mobile phone number and call him at 8:00 to make sure he is on the way. Never allow Romanians make your schedule, unless you have plenty of time and money to spend, with nothing else to do but see how everything fails to happen.

This is a country of managers; everyone thinks he / she is king, therefore everyone makes his / her set of rules others (in this case customers) have to obey to. These rules are not always clearly expressed or written. Therefore do not get shocked if they start at you with the “didn’t you know that...?!”. Simply answer in Chinese. If you don’t speak it, do not worry: they do not either.

Special requests might (or might not) be honoured, disregarding of whether staff said they could and would do that. Do not rely on a hotel’s wake up call or on their posting your letters.

Even if you ask for and get a non-smoking room, third hand smoking still is possible, as Romanians are famous for anything but respecting rules. As of 2016, smoking in public areas in all hotels / restaurant got forbidden by the law, at least there some respect is observed. Other than that, Romanians do smoke a lot, while care for the others is something non-existent in this country, so expect a lot of smoke at terraces and around just by the door of a hotel / restaurant, as both staff and customers cuddle there with a fag.

Traditionally, hotel rooms had bathrooms with bath tub, but now the shower cabin prevails. Some of the larger hotels have both options, therefore do ask if you are looking for a specific kind.

Many 3-5* hotels provide internet connection, but some still have cable connections, which require you to ask for a cable at the front desk. In some situations, getting internet connection is not free.

Some 4 and 5* hotels ask for your credit card upon check-in, storing your data as a guarantee for minibar and other service use.

Hotels in Romania go from 1 to 5 stars and the book says a hotel gets ranked by a Ministry of Tourism inspector according to specific regulations. Yes, no and maybe. Regulations might be overlooked if bribe or connections (or both) work. For that reason, do not judge a hotel by its rank alone, rather check its reviews (you may begin with Trip Advisor) and look carefully at the room description and general amenities.

With very few exceptions, airport / railway station transfers arranged by hotels are way more expensive than taking a regular taxi (check out my tips on taxis though). And no, “more expensive” does not always stand for larger, more comfortable vehicles or English-speaking drivers.

Equally, asking a hotel to call a taxi for you might lead to getting one of the most expensive taxi companies in town, as many of them automatically call a Grand or Taxi Fly. Why? It might be bad habit, management-imposed decision or simply the ‘naive’... “you are foreigner, therefore you have the money and can only travel in a Mercedes”. That simple. Therefore, specifically ask them to call a company with lower rates (you can use my suggestions here) and make sure they do so. Or walk out and look for a car belonging to these companies. In the case of 5* and some 4* hotels, this might require crossing the street and a short walk, as these hotels are particularly pestered by expensive taxis, both legal and illegal.

With very few exceptions, hotel restaurants are more expensive than regular ones and they do not provide outstanding meals. When possible, dine out. Of course, this is not to say that, as expensive as they get, the Capșa or the Carol Parc do not have some of the finest restaurants in town (and the country for that matter).

Hotels rarely have reliable, non-commercial maps and guidebooks. If asking for a map, you might get a thin, but sufficiently explicit night life guide. It is better to rely on a good bookstore or to get maps and guidebooks in advance.

While many receptionists are knowledgeable, it is not always the case and you might learn it the hard way, by having a dreadful dining experience or getting wrong directions to a certain place.

Bucharest is hot in summer (especially in July and August) and can get quite cold in winter. Air conditioning is recommended if you come in summer.

Hotel rates in town do not always follow the logic in other cities. Bucharest is primarily a business destination, therefore weekdays are more expensive than weekends, while December, January, July and August are low season months. The most expensive months usually are September, October, the first half of November, March and April. Major Romexpo fair periods are the most expensive times in terms of accommodation for most 4* and 5* hotels in the city. While these rules generally apply to most hotels, there are some that do not have fair period rates or even high season rates. Therefore do check a few options and never generalize, for the rule in Bucharest is there is no rule everyone accepts and follows.

In most situations (except for a few small hotels), there is a huge gap between the rack rate and that provided by major tour operators or hotel booking engines such as Booking or Expedia; discounted hotel rates are also available at Hotel in Bucharest.

Accommodation rates mentioned by some hotels do not include the city tax (amount set by the city hall) and VAT (currently 9%), while meals and other services rarely exclude VAT (20% for anything but accommodation and foodstuffs / meals). Even if they do not mention them, this does not mean they will not appear on your bill. Do check.

Large restaurants might mean loud wedding parties on Saturday evenings, especially in summer or early autumn. Romanian weddings start anytime between 3 PM and 8 PM and do not usually end before 4 or 5 AM. It is recommendable to ask if you fear that, especially if you are looking at booking a large 4* or 5* hotel. While many conference halls or restaurants that may host weddings have sound-proof walls, the music can get really loud and the hotel structure might vibrate, which is equally unpleasant.

Romania uses 220 V / 50 Hz, 2 pin electric plugs. Bring an adapter if you have appliances employing a different socket. While available at a few shops (especially in larger gas stations, airport duty free shops and sometimes at a Flanco / Altex store to be found in malls), adaptors are often hard to find and very expensive compared to prices abroad. In many situations in Romania, and also in quite a lot of hotels (especially 1 to 3* in the city centre or in crowded neighbourhoods), ear plugs are a good idea.

Ședere plăcută!