Grand Hotel Sofianu

The pool is nice, though it can get crowded at times. Breakfast is minimalist and the restaurant decent. Rooms are clean, and it’s good value for money. A good place overall.

I stayed for a weekend and really liked the spacious, cozy room and its lovely view of the park. The staff were friendly, always smiling, and quick to help with any problems. The restaurant looked clean and inviting, though I didn’t get to try it. The spa area was smaller than I expected: a warm-water pool, wet and dry saunas that each fit up to four people, three kinds of showers, and a small gym with a few treadmills. The strong chlorine smell around the pool made it hard to stay more than 40 minutes, so I gave service 4 stars.

The staff were courteous, attentive, and wonderful, and I had a great stay. After a long day on the motorcycle, the pool and spa were just what I needed. Their condition wasn’t perfect, but I’ve seen the same shortcomings in public areas at some very ritzy places, especially where more than the usual number of guests use them and kids are the main users. I liked the light buffet breakfast, which tasted good. My room didn’t face the park, but I don’t usually spend much time looking out the window anyway. It was spacious, with lovely wood cabinetry and trim, and the firm bed was still comfortable. I also really enjoyed the art around the hotel, especially taking time to look at the paintings and sculptures.

The park nearby gives the area a great atmosphere, and the accommodation itself was great, with spacious, comfortable rooms. At the restaurant, though, drinks took too long to arrive despite it not being very crowded. The food was nothing special, especially at 4 star prices.