VISIONAPARTMENTS Bucharest Calea Victoriei

The room was spacious, and the location was the only other real positive. Still, those things didn’t make up for the experience. I spent part of the trip in an Airbnb across the road that cost much less and was far better. I wish I’d stayed there the whole time. I’d strongly suggest looking for somewhere else, especially after the way reception handled our complaint. They were rude and dismissive, saying breakfast was run by a partner and “not their responsibility,” even though we booked through the hotel. They also said this was “not a four-star hotel” and that we expected too much from a “cheap place.” We’d paid for breakfast, but the choice was limited, there weren’t enough seats, and we often had to wait for a table. Hot food was rarely replenished. At 10:20 one morning, despite breakfast running until 11, my partner and I found no hot food. Staff kept saying it would be topped up soon. We waited 15-20 minutes, but nothing came. When we asked again, they said it was too late and they were too busy, so we left without eating. The spa was extremely dirty. Towels were repeatedly unavailable, the glass doors and windows looked as if they hadn’t been cleaned in years, and there were visible clumps of dust and hair on the floors. The hot tub was never hot, just the same temperature as the pool. This was one of the most disappointing customer service experiences I’ve had. If I’d known what the hotel was like, I’d never have booked it as a birthday treat.

The team was quick to respond and put me at ease when I was checking in after midnight. They made the contactless check-in easy, and getting the code on check-in day helped. The location is great, about a five-minute walk to the old town, close to good brunch places, with a dessert spot right by the entrance. We had a good stay. My only small gripe is that we got just one pillow each.

We booked two rooms for four people, with breakfast included, but at the breakfast area we were told only one person in each room qualified for the free meal. Reception offered either paying for extra breakfasts or skipping them. That’s confusing when each room comes with two towels and two bathrobes, which usually suggests space for two guests.

The place is self check-in and feels rather impersonal, but I’d happily stay again. The room was clean, furnished, and well looked after. There isn’t much of a view, even though the building sits right over Odeon square. You’re an easy walk from the Lipscani district and the parliament, where most of what’s happening in Bucarest is, so the location is hard to beat.