Bucharest, the capital of Romania, is a fascinating south-eastern city, characterized by a mix of styles. It’s the type of place where you can find almost everything you can think of. Such as different architectural styles, cool activities, nature, fun & parties, history& art or cuisines, Bucharest has them all.
Check my other article for some ideas about where to go and what to go in Bucharest. And in case you are visiting during wintertime, these ideas might help more. Also, in case you want to know how to use the public transportation in Bucharest.
If you are in Bucharest just for a few days I highly recommend you book a place in the City Center. This means Old Town area, Unirii, and Universitate Squares. In this central area you will find many restaurants, bars and the nightlife, but also shops and places to visit. Also, you should not overlook the nice accommodations that are 15-25 minutes away by walking. These would be the areas of Calea Victoriei, Romana Square, or Park Carol. In case you are interested in a fancier area of the city, next to a huge park and glamorous bars, I will recommend you some places in the North part.
Before we get started I need to let you know this article is all about hotels in Bucharest. It will also help you choose in which area in Bucharest to stay, based on your interests and style. And I am going to show a selection of awesome hotels in those areas after I took the time to compared literally all hotels there are listed on Booking. com and pick the best ones for you. And of course with a 9+ rating. They all have breakfast option and I am going to mention which have pools.
Disclaimer: I use affiliate links in this article. This means if you click the links and make a booking I will get some commission from the website, with 0 costs from you. It’s a way to get something back from the work I put into this website, so thanks a lot! 😁
Where to stay in Bucharest?
I will start with the recommendations for the City Center: Old Town, Universitate Square and Unirii Square. Like I mentioned before, this is the best area to walk around and visit some beautiful historical places, taste Romanian traditional cuisine (and not only that). And in the evening you find here many cool bars and clubs, to have some fun and try Romanian wine, beers or international awesome cocktails. And if covid restrictions are not too many, it’s a place to dance, socialize and enjoy a night out, no matter the season.
In the heart of the city: OLD TOWN Hotels
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The Marmorosch, Autograph Collection – with pool
This is one of the newest but also fanciest hotels in town. It’s inspired by the Belle Epoque times, such a classy fine living fill with a touch of modernity. It has a pretty small, but beautiful pool, massage, sauna, fitness center, restaurant, and the most interesting of them all a one-of-a-kind bar. The bar is located in the vault of the former bank, the initial functionality of this building from the 1900s. They kept the vault exactly as it was, it all the safety deposit boxes, and I think it looks amazing. Check the best price for your favorite room on Booking.com.
⭐⭐⭐⭐ The Mansion Boutique Hotel – adult only
No two rooms look alike in this hotel! 😍 This is a perfect place for you if you are bored with the classical look of a hotel room. Located in a beautifully renovated historical building, you get to choose the style of the room. It’s like taking another journey inside your vacation in Bucharest! The rooms can take you to a Morrocan or Oriental story, or you can choose classy French and Provence vibes. There is also a Gothic room, a Safari, a Zen, a Romanian, a Japanise, or a Minimalist room. And a few more! Isn’t it a very cool idea? Plus, it has its own Italian cuisine restaurant. Check the best price for your favorite room on Booking.com.
⭐⭐⭐ Moxy Hotel Bucharest – pet friendly
This hotel offers all the comfort that you need, with a fresh and young vibe, but still very modern and high quality. It has a fitness center, an evening bar, and a lounge area. In case you are traveling with a pet, this hotel accepts you checking in with your lovely pet. 🐕 Just let them know in advance. Check the best price for your favorite room on Booking.com.
⭐⭐⭐ Vilacrosse Boutique Inn – Instagramic rooms
I don’t think you have ever seen anything like this before! 😁 The design is full of vibrant colors, so lively with so many unexpected details and a spark of craziness! This is definitely an Instagramic hotel to stay in, even if you are not a huge fan of bold color mixes in your daily life. The guests were super impressed with the out-of-the-box design ideas and with the Free Minibar.
The rooms and also the bathrooms are spacious, which is very nice for being located in a historical building (exactly in the Macca-Vilacrosse Passage, a gorgeous yellow glass-covered arcaded street, from the 1890s which today is a famous sheesha/ hookah street). I must mention that for this accommodation there is no breakfast option, but there are so many cafes around to go for your breakfast that you won’t even know which one to choose first. Check the best price for your favorite room on Booking.com.
In the heart of the city: Universitate Square
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Grand Hotel Bucharest – with pool and sky bar
Known as InterContinental until January 2022, Grand Hotel Bucharest is still the tallest hotel in Romania, although it has only 24 floors. There are taller buildings in Bucharest and in the country. But still, that highest number is 37 floors, for an office building in Bucharest (which yes, has a sky bar called NOR, meaning cloud ☁).
It was built in the communist glory days, in 1971, and it’s a symbol for Bucharest, as it was an imposing building, right in the heart of the city, and an expensive hotel for its times. Now you will find an overall classy feel, with spacios rooms and all the facilities of a 5⭐ hotel. And the view, especially at night, is really worth the stay here. I need to mention it has an 8.5 score on Booking, but with overall very good reviews. Check the best price for your favorite room on Booking.com.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Grand Hotel Continental
Ready to feel like a King/ Queen? The building is a historical monument that looks like a royal palace. The hotel redecorated it in a fabulous mix of Renascentist, Baroque and Lodovique style, with very modern glass walls bathrooms, so be ready to be amazed. You’ll find here a wellness center with a jacuzzi, massages, and some treatments. And also 2 restaurants a la carte, a french one and a Romanian mix with international cuisine. Check the best price for your favorite room on Booking.com.
Central Area: Romana Square
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Hotel Lido by Phoenicia
This is by far my favorite hotel in the center of Bucharest! It’s such a luxurious hotel, with Art Deco elements, in a modern style. It has an impressive history, as it was first opened in 1930, and was highly appreciated for its beauty and luxury at the time and its huge outdoor pool. Then for many years was closed and unused.
Today’s Lido is even more gorgeous, after its elegant restoration, although the pool was not brought back to life. The rooms are decorated in the same style, but no two of them are alike. You will find a fitness and spa area, a Brasserie and bar. All rooms booked here have breakfast included. Check the best price for your favorite room on Booking.com.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Sheraton Bucharest Hotel – with pool
Sheraton Bucharest Hotel is a part of Marriott International chain, with all the facilities you might want. The pool looks very nice with the glass rooftop and it’s equipped with a special system that allows you to swim against the current of air or water, 3 hydro-massage areas and 2 fountains for cervical massage. SPA treatments are also something to try here. Their Japanese restaurant is amazing and you’ll also find some design desserts you wouldn;t want to miss out on. And it’s only 20 minutes walking from the Old Town Area. Check the best price for your favorite room on Booking.com.
Central Area: Park Cismigiu
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Epoque Hotel – Relais & Chateaux – with pool
Only 15 min away by walking from the Old Town, this elegant hotel will make you feel you stepped into another world. It’s close to the main boulevard, but enough hidden back to enjoy the quietness. It overlooks the oldest and cutest park of Bucharest, Cismigiu Park. The hotel has a pool, different types of saunas, massage service, and of course fitness area. Their restaurant promises to refine French Haute Cuisine with a contemporary touch and most reviewers say it also delivers. Check the best price for your favorite room on Booking.com.
Central Area: Unirii Boulevard
⭐⭐⭐⭐Union Plaza Hotel – with a sky bar
Only 20 min away by walking from the Old Town, this hotel offers you a great view over the city, in an elegant and modern design. It has one restaurant with Romanian and international fusion cuisine, on the ground level. And a chic sky bar, perfect for sunset cocktails and a sensory dining experience. Check the best price for your favorite room on Booking.com.
Carol Park Area
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Suter Palace Heritage Boutique Hotel
Are you ready to step back in time, in the Romantic French Era, when aristocrats were enjoying the summer garden drinks and walks in the beautiful park? Well, here you will definitely feel like that! The hotel, or should I say palace, is located on a small hill, one of the few in Bucharest, It has a great view over the city center and the Parliament. Just next to it you will find the gorgeous medium size Park Carol. And if you want to walk to the Old Town it shouldn’t take you more than 25 minutes.
Each room is decorated in a different royal style, based on a different story, so you can choose the room that fits best with your blue-blood personality. The restaurant is an unforgettable dining experience, not only for the exquisite tastes but also due to its design. Check the best price for your favorite room on Booking.com.
North part of Bucharest
As I mentioned at the begining of the article, the north part of Bucharest is a fancier area, a mix of residential and business areas, with very very nice restaurants and a fun and high standards nightlife. Also, you’ll find here the biggest park of Bucharest, Carol Michael I, commonly known as Herastrau Park (the name was changed in 2017). The area is not even too far from the center, around 20 minutes by car. Here are some good hotel suggestions:
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Crowne Plaza Bucharest, an IHG Hotel
Crowne Plaza has everything you would expect from a 4 stars hotel, but l like the fact they have also a floating pod, yoga classes, and many beauty treatments, frigidarium and hammam. The gym area looks spacious and it’s overlooking the pool area. It’s located very close to Herastrau Park so you can even go for a jogging session, as many people do around there. Check the best price for your favorite room on Booking.com.
⭐⭐⭐⭐Ramada Plaza Bucharest
Apart from the indoor pool, Ramada Plaza has an outdoor pool too and a jacuzzi. Their garden and terrace look very relaxing and they have an international late dining restaurant. The breakfast buffet is free for every room. Check the best price for your favorite room on Booking.com.
⭐⭐⭐Ibis Styles Bucharest Erbas
If you are in the mood for something funky fresh and colorful, Ibis Styles could be a really cool option. Breakfast is included for all guests. Check the best price for your favorite room on Booking.com.
Looking for more Hotels with a Pool?
Here are a few more options of 4 and 5 starts hotels, close to the city center, which offer you an indoor pool, sauna, and other spa treatments.
As shown in the image above, the hotels with these pools, listed from left to right are: ⭐⭐⭐⭐Park Inn by Radisson Bucharest Hotel & Residence, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐JW Marriott Bucharest Grand Hotel and ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Athenee Palace Hilton Bucharest. For an outdoor summer pool check out ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Radisson Blu Hotel Bucharest.
*all images used in this article are the property of either Booking.com or the website of the hotel they represent. I only put them in a collage together to best illustrate the hotel’s looks and facilities.
Looking for some Tour Guided Experiences in Bucharest?
You will find a bunch of amazing tours of a few hours on Get Your Guide like 3h Dark History Tour or find out about the Communist area in Romania with a 3h Relics of Communism Tour. Even a bike tour if you are a cycling fan. And so many day trips to famous Romanin spots or even to Bulgaria. Check them out:
