Mercure Alba Iulia

The rooms and the rest of the hotel were clean and well kept, and the modern standards made for a great stay. Breakfast was okay, though it could be better compared with similar places. I’d recommend it to anyone visiting Alba Iulia.

Alba Iulia is a beautiful city, and the hotel is very close to Romania’s largest fortress, the Carolina Citadel. Public transport is a five-minute walk away, the bus and railway stations are about 10 minutes away, and there’s a Penny grocery store nearby. I stayed for 7 days and found the bed, linens and pillows comfortable and high quality. The room was spotless, including the well-kept toilet, and housekeeping did a great job responding to requests. The accommodation exceeded my expectations. The hotel’s interior is impressive, with great lighting, and there’s a children’s playground outside. It preserves Roman heritage, so staying there felt a bit like being in an ancient museum. I’d recommend it to Accor members and other guests. I also appreciated its eco-friendly approach and wooden-based products. Perhaps the plastic room key cards could be replaced with wooden-based ones. Shoe polishers are available on every floor. Breakfast was the main disappointment. It isn’t always a buffet: when occupancy is low, guests get one plate with limited choices. The buffet, when offered, is acceptable but repetitive, with much the same food each day. Bread choices are limited, and there were no meatballs, beans, waffles, pancakes, cake or pastries. The juice was watery, and salad was limited to cucumber, capsicum and tomato pieces. It didn’t feel up to four-star standards. I also noticed young kitchen staff, and think a qualified chef could improve the food at breakfast and dinner. One male receptionist seemed confused by my questions and often had to check even simple things with others. I hope the hotel makes sure qualified reception staff are available to help guests efficiently. Smoking areas should also be clearly marked away from the playground.

Having a balcony was a real plus, with some extra space and fresh air. Just be aware that a room facing the backyard looks straight onto the neighboring building’s households, which could matter if you care about the view. Inside, though, the room was spotless and everything felt new. The breakfast was great, and the service and amenities added to a very good stay. Mercure Alba Iulia lives up to what I’d expect from a modern international four-star hotel, and I’d recommend it when visiting Alba Iulia.

The restaurant food was good, though it could use a bit more atmosphere. The breakfast buffet was excellent, and the rooms were spacious and clean. It’s also just a short walk from Alba Iulia’s historic centre, making this the best hotel in the area for me.