Amazonia Hotel

It's close to the city centre, but our view is of a metal scrapyard, which is unpleasant. The place feels more like a water park for families with small children than a hotel. The staff's friendliness, facilities, and poolside hygiene could all be better. For a five-star hotel, it doesn't quite meet expectations, and it's definitely overpriced.

You can walk straight into Aqwa Park from the hotel, and guests park for free. It's a handy place to stay if you want to avoid driving or walking far to the park. The rooms are nicely decorated and roomy, with space for up to four; there are also two very large apartments with a bedroom and living room. Breakfast was good, and the little play area in the dining room meant the kids could play while we ate. The employees were very friendly and helpful, and bathrobes and towels were already in our room.

The pools and water attractions for children were excellent, and we adults enjoyed them too. The idea of combining a hotel with spa and aqua facilities is a good one. But the toilets by the water attractions weren't very clean, and towels for that area aren't provided. You need to bring your own, or pay the hotel to rent or buy them. Our room was clean and pleasant, though we once returned from the pool with the children to find the window the maids had left open. It was 2 degrees outside, and we were all wet in bathrobes. Breakfast was the same every day for all 5 days, and the food was mediocre. There is no exchange office at the hotel. The checkout payment was a mess. They didn't accept my AMERICAN EXPRESS card, even though nobody seemed to know that, and it wasn't stated anywhere. They also wouldn't accept euros. I had to go into the city to exchange money, and they wanted to keep my passport. In Romania, exchange offices won't change money without a passport. I was there with small children, and while this was going on the maid asked us three times to leave the room. We couldn't check out because of the hotel's problem. The staff were extremely unfriendly and unwelcoming. The pools are good, but after this experience I won't come back.

The rooms were comfortable and spacious, and the reception staff were kind and helpful. I did miss having fruit or healthier choices at breakfast, which was identical each day. I know it's a family park, but small children screaming in the sauna disturb people who are trying to relax. I assume that's why swimsuits are required there, though that feels unhygienic and unhealthy. The park staff also never smiled and seemed sad or depressed.