Where to stay in Bucharest: the best neighbourhoods for your first trip

Bedsy

You couldn’t ask for a more central location in the Old Town than Bedsy, a great little hostel with a community atmosphere.

This place is ideal if you are backpacking on a budget, solo travelling or just want to connect with people on your Bucharest trip. It’s not a party place, it has more of a chill atmosphere with nice social spaces where you can hang out.

The security is excellent, with several locked doors between the street and the dorms, and everything feels clean, comfortable, and well looked after. And even though you’re right in the Old Town, the rooms are well shielded from the noise outside.

Antique Hostel

Perched on the southern end of the Old Town by the Dâmbovița riverside, Antique Hostel is a convenient budget option with good facilities. The place could probably do with a lick of paint, but it does have an ageing character about it, and the beds are comfortable.

There’s also a bit more going on here activity-wise than some other Old Town hostels, with an outdoor terrace where the team hosts movie nights, barbecues and other social events.

You can also self-cater in the communal kitchen, and there are private rooms in addition to multiple dorms. If you’re keeping an eye on your budget but still want a sociable, well-located stay, Antique Hostel is a solid pick.

Vilacrosse Boutique Inn

I don’t always give favourites, but Vilacrosse Boutique Inn is very much my kind of hotel. Ok, I’ll stick my neck out and say it’s the best all-round hotel in Bucharest in the mid-priced range.

The whole place is decorated with bright, popping colours, and no two bedrooms are the same. And you will find so many fun quirky details in the design.

It has an iconic setting at the Macca-Vilacrosse Passage, an indoor forked alley that is one of Bucharest’s most photographed spots. The hotel also has a very good Italian restaurant that spills out into the passageway.

Given this location and the room rates, I don’t think you’ll find a better value hotel anywhere in the city. It’s pure charm and character.

Otilia

If you are looking for somewhere a bit more understated, then the apartment rooms at Otilia might be more up your street. Its minimalist white-space design couldn’t be more different to Vilacrosse, and for many people this vibe is a bit more calming.

At is its located slap-bang in the middle of the Old Town, you are right among the action here. The soundproofing is good, but be aware it won’t block out every bar of noise at night. If that doesn’t bother you, this is a very comfortable base.

The feel is ultra-modern and clean, and as these are serviced apartments, you have kitchen facilities for self-catering. There’s lots of space to spread out and relax as well, including big, comfy sofas.

The Marmorosch

For complete luxury in Bucharest Old Town along with a slice of history, there is no better option than The Marmorosch.

Set in the building of the Marmorosch-Blank Bank Palace, a grand stately mansion built more than a century ago, this is the only 5-star hotel inside the Old Town.

The building is truly magnificent, with design that keeps all the historical gravitas intact. Its top-class facilities include a wellness spa, swimming pool, terrace, hot tub, and an excellent restaurant.

The Marmorosch would be the perfect choice if you want to go all-out for a romantic weekend in Bucharest. And when you stay, you can have your own special Marmorosch golden coin inscribed with your name to take away.

The Mansion Boutique Hotel

When you step through the classic art nouveau entrance to The Mansion Boutique Hotel, you wouldn’t expect its bedrooms to feature such a wild mix of styles, from boho and art deco to vintage, minimalist, and just about everything in between.

Somehow the overall design seems to make sense though, and it’s all threaded together with a bright and modern palette.

While the hotel is central in the Old Town, the rooms are very well protected from the noise. More bonus points for a great breakfast as well.

So, if you are looking for higher-end hotels in Bucharest Old Town but you don’t want stretch as far as paying 5-star rates, you really can’t go wrong with this place.

5 Stars High Hostel

Located on the north side of Piața Romană, where the streets start to get quieter and blend into suburbia, 5 Stars High Hostel is a good option if you want to keep costs down and just need a simple base for exploring within walking distance of the city’s highlights.

It’s not a hostel in the classic sense in that it doesn’t have any dormitories, but you can choose from single or double rooms with private bathrooms for prices that are among the lowest in Bucharest.

There’s nothing fancy about this place, and it doesn’t have the social element associated with many hostels. But it’s clean, comfortable, and has all the facilities you need for a sightseeing trip, plus some bonuses like a bar and terrace area. There is also a simple work desk in each room, so it’s also a decent choice for a low-cost workation in Bucharest.

On the same premises you will also find Hotel Michaelangelo, run by the same owners, which is a more upscale hotel with larger rooms.

Art Boutique Residence

If you’re looking in the mid-range bracket, Art Boutique Residence is one of our top picks of the hotels in Piața Romană. It’s a straightforward but thoroughly charming little boutique hotel, characterised by interwar Romanian architecture that fuses art deco with modernism.

The rooms are cosy and full of character, with unique touches like a sewing machine desk giving the place plenty of personality. And if cleanliness is a key factor for you, it’s one of the best-kept accommodations in the city.

Location-wise it’s in a nice quiet spot just off Calea Victoriei, and less than 20 minutes’ walk from the Old Town.

Embassy Romana

Embassy Romana is an absolute gem of a mid-priced hotel in Piața Romană. Located just across the street from a metro station, it has a clean, modern, almost boutique feel, with spacious rooms.

There is an in-house restaurant serving a range of international cuisine, plus a bar, terrace, and balcony with city views, everything you need for a relaxing after a day of sightseeing.

If you go for the deluxe suite option at the upper end of the room categories, you will have more of a studio apartment vibe including a private kitchenette. All rooms are well soundproofed and come well equipped with facilities, including coffee makers.

InterContinental Athenee Palace Bucharest

Our pick of the upscale hoptions in Piața Romană is InterContinental Athenee Palace Bucharest, one of the city’s original luxury hotels. First opened in 1914, it has a fascinating history of being a spy den during World War II and the Cold War.

The setting is also iconic, as the hotel faces over a park next to Revolution Square and the Romanian Athenaeum, with many rooms overlooking this cityscape from above.

In its early days, the hotel was frequented by royalty, high-ranking politicians and diplomats, and much of that grandiose essence has stayed intact. You feel this as soon as you walk into the main lobby, resplendent with marble columns and chandeliers in the Belle Époque architectural style.

The facilities are absolutely top drawer as well, including a modern spa with indoor pool, jacuzzis, steam room and sauna, plus three restaurants and a bar with an outdoor terrace.

Victoriei City Studios

Tucked away on a side street where Piața Romană merges Dorobanți, at Victoriei City Studios you can stay in top quality serviced apartments in a clean, quiet and safe part of the city.

The rooms are spacious and come with kitchenettes, mini-fridges, and everything you need for self-catering, with a supermarket and restaurants within walking distance as well.

Just a short walk from Piata Victoriei metro station and close to the city centre, the apartments are comfortable, spotless and well-furnished. There is also private parking available for extra convenience. These apartments are well suited to business trips, or for short or long term remote working stays.

City Garden Boutique

City Garden Boutique feels less like a hotel or serviced apartments, and more like staying at a friend’s cute, leafy guest house.

As the name suggests, it is set among green gardens, while the inner courtyard areas are decked out with variety of plants. The greenery vibe gives the whole place a calming feel, and there are tables and chairs for dining outside too.

The interior has a lived-in, authentic feel, with personal touches in each room that make it welcoming and immediately comfortable. It’s an all-round charming place to stay, away from the hubbub of the city centre but within reach by public transport.

Vila Paris Boutique Hotel

Boutique hotels in these quieter suburbs of Bucharest are rarer to come by, but often a joy when you find one. Vila Paris Boutique Hotel is such an example in Dorobanți, a gorgeous 4-star hotel that is like a little oasis of elegance in a residential neighbourhood.

Accommodation in this area tend to be a bit cheaper than around the Old Town, so you get good value for money here, and a boutique hotel at a mid-range price. It’s a stylish place and has an intimate, personable feel, the vibe you might seek for a more low-key couple’s weekend escape.

The summer terrace is a notable highlight, and the breakfast is very good too. Meanwhile, you’re walkable distance from the sprawling King Michael I Park for the National Village Museum.

Johann Strauss Hotel

Johann Strauss Hotel is a mid-range, recently renovated hotel that works perfectly as a functional base away from the city centre. The design is modern and slick, with whites and greys accented by pops of vibrant colour. Overall, it has a fresh, almost new-hotel feel.

The rooms are clean and contemporary, with all the essentials for a comfortable stay. You won’t find anything flashy here, but everything works. Breakfast is buffet-style in one of those straightforward, well-kept hotel restaurants with rows of tables. Expect decent quality, efficiency, and very much the standard hotel breakfast experience.

This is a solid 3-star option that doesn’t try to be anything more than it is: a practical, comfortable place to stay, great if you’re passing through or just need a convenient base.

Room 12

Room 12 is a completely different world. If Johann Strauss is functional and modern, Room 12 is luxury with intention, and provides an alternative choice to the high-end hotels if you want a truly special trip to Bucharest.

There are 13 suites available, each with its own theme. You will find warm interiors with mid-century modern touches, and apartments that feel swanky without being over-the-top. And as you can see above, there are some awesome park and city views.

It’s not cheap – around $500 a night – but it might be worth it for a special trip or a luxury stay in Bucharest with a difference.

Le Blanc Cotroceni Hotel

At Le Blanc Cotroceni Hotel you will find some of the comfiest beds in Bucharest amid stylish surroundings that fit right in to this upscale neighbourhood. This 4-star hotel has a bright, glitzy and modern feel.

All rooms have city views from balconies, and some overlook the Dâmbovița River, which runs alongside the hotel. There is also a work desk and good soundproofing in every room, so it’s the kind of place we like to stay for a more premium workation or a business trip.

The breakfast is continental buffet-style and is pristinely presented. There is also a restaurant, bar and terrace for winding down later in the day.

It’s a bit of a walk, maybe 45 minutes, but you can stroll along the banks of the river from the hotel all the way to the Old Town.

Continental Forum Bucuresti Palatul Parlamentului

One of the largest hotels in Bucharest, Continental Forum Bucuresti Palatul Parlamentului stands close to the iconic Palace of the Parliament on the edges of Cotroceni. As an international chain 4-star hotel, you won’t find any local boutique charm, but it has great facilities and makes a good practical base for exploring the city or for a work trip.

The location is convenient for sightseeing, with a 20-minute walk alongside the palace and parks separating you from the edge of the Old Town.

Rooms are straightforward but clean and well equipped, with air-conditioning, desks and minibars. Some face the Palace of the Parliament or surrounding streets, and there’s a mix of standard doubles, deluxe rooms, and a few suites. All of this makes it versatile if you are travelling as a couple, with a family or for business.

Breakfast is served buffet-style in a bright, functional restaurant, with all the usual choices you’d expect at a hotel this size. It’s the kind of hotel to pick if you want convenience, comfort and familiarity without paying for the ultra luxury options.

Pergola Boutique Hotel

I’ll say it, Pergola Boutique Hotel might be the best boutique hotel in Bucharest. It’s technically a 4-star hotel but it has a lot of the hallmarks of luxury, and some truly fabulous city views from its terrace.

There is a chic speciality coffee shop on the ground floor, which gives you a flavour of the charm you will find throughout. You can also dine in at the hotel’s international restaurant and wind down with drinks at the bar after a day of sightseeing.

With only eight rooms that are individually designed, it has an intimate atmosphere. The bedrooms are large and classy without overdoing it on the design, and you will feel quite at home.

Pergola Boutique Hotel is a ten-minute walk from the Erilor metro station, giving quick access to get around the city.

T5 Social

For our money, T5 Social is the best hostel in Bucharest. The clue is in the name, but this is every bit a social hostel! There is a different event held each evening at 8pm. It also has a bar open 9pm until midnight, but think friendly atmosphere rather than full-on party.

The hostel has a great common area stocked with guitars, books, games, and all sorts of other things to keep you entertained. And the fact it has a coworking space available from Monday to Friday from 9am–5pm certainly gets our attention straight away. This place is a great option for a budget workation with a community vibe.

The location is great too, set in a quiet area south of the Old Town and Piața Unirii, but walking distance from the sights.

Hostel Sport Bucharest

If you’re travelling to Bucharest on a budget but would prefer somewhere more low-key and relaxed, then Hostel Sport Bucharest is a solid option.

You won’t find daily events and a bustling bar here like T5 social, but it’s a pleasant, comfortable place with very good facilities and a convenient location just across the road from Piața Unirii.

There is a nice garden, terrace area and lounge where you can wind down at the end of a day’s exploring, and the kitchen has everything you need for self-catering. Think of it as a comfy and secure hostel for the studious backpacker who would rather recharge than party.

Tempus

A short walk from Piața Unirii and close to various national heritage buildings, Tempus is a lovely little hotel with a stylistic blend of art deco and art nouveau.

Set over three floors, it is an intimate stay with just seven bedrooms, which are rich, colourful and moody with high-quality furnishings and fittings. The hosts are friendly and attentive (but not intrusive), giving it almost a local guest house feel.

Tempus is very good value for money seeing as it’s not far from the Old Town. You can opt for a breakfast, which is absolutely top-notch and comes with a choice of continental or Italian.

Hotel Cantemir

Finally, we have Hotel Cantemir, a friendly and functional mid-range hotel that’s perfect for a short break if you just want a cost-effective base.

Set close to the main road (but well sound-proofed), it’s roughly midway between the Old Town and Tineretului Park, giving you the best of both worlds for exploring the city and unwinding in green space.

Rooms are simple with a choice between twins, doubles or apartments. It’s clean, comfortable, secure, and the excellent buffet breakfast will leave you well fuelled for a day of wandering Bucharest.