Hotel check: Athénée Palace Hilton Bucharest

WHAT'S IT LIKE? A Bucharest landmark since 1914, the Athénée Palace came under the aegis of Hilton International in 1994. The group promptly spent US$42m on a seven-floor extension, which opened in 1997 and added bedrooms, conference facilities and an executive lounge to the hotel. The two wings are connected by a grand colonnade, off which lie some of the larger meeting rooms. Today the haunt of business travellers and Romania's nouveau riche, during the 1940s the Athénée was the home of both British spies and the Gestapo, while a decade later it is said that every room and phone line in the hotel was bugged by the communist government. Just round the corner from the Athénée a new-build Radisson SAS hotel is due to open this summer, an example of the city's growth following its accession to the European Union at the start of this year. WHERE IS IT? On the north side of downtown Bucharest, the hotel occupies one side of Piata Revolutiei (Revolution Square), so called because of the popular revolt which took place there in 1989, leading to the overthrow of Nicolae Ceausescu's regime. The square is split into two distinct areas, with the hotel at the north-west end flanked by the former royal palace (now the National Museum of the Art of Romania) and the domed Athenaeum Concert Hall and its gardens. The main memorials to the revolution (including the soaring Memorial of Rebirth pillar) are down Calea Victoriei in the second half of the square. Central Bucharest is around 40 minutes from the main international Otopeni airport, although travellers should allow an hour during peak times. HOW MANY ROOMS? 272 rooms, of which 175 are standard, 45 Deluxe, 36 Executive and 16 suites, with one presidential suite. ROOM FACILITIES Rooms are split between the original and new wings – my third floor deluxe room was in the former, overlooking Piata Revolutiei (other views include busy Calea Victoriei and the hotel gardens). The bedrooms are undergoing refurbishment, with those in the newer wing first to benefit. Room sizes start at 33sqm, and have air conditioning, satellite TV, work desk with wired and wireless internet access (charged at €8 for one hour, €20 for 24 hours), minibar, tea and coffee facilities, safe, and an iron and ironing board. Executive rooms are comparable in size, but include a CD player, trouser press, complimentary newspaper and magazines, bathrobe and slippers, mineral water, and breakfast in the first-floor executive lounge. Décor in my room was light beige, and there was a combined bath and shower in the bathroom. RESTAURANTS AND BARS Eating options at the hotel include Roberto's, an Italian fine dining restaurant, as well as a brasserie overlooking Calea Victoriei offering French and Belgian cuisine, and Le Bistrot, a French-style café with pastries during the day and candlelit dinners in the evening. There is also La Strada Terrace restaurant and bar in the courtyard (from where the Grand Casino is also accessed – see below), and the English Bar, a cosy space offering over 40 types of whiskey, as well as Cuban cigars and a range of snacks. BUSINESS AND MEETING FACILITIES There are 11 meeting rooms with capacities ranging from four to 400 delegates, including the Diplomate suite with original features. Three rooms have terrace access for breakouts, including the Duiliu Marco room, which is located near to the business centre on the first floor and can accommodate up to 24 delegates boardroom-style and 50 for a conference. All meeting rooms have wifi internet access and optional equipment includes LCD screens and overhead projectors. The business centre is open Monday to Friday from 7am-7pm, and has internet connections, fax, scanner and photocopying services. LEISURE FACILITIES The hotel's health and fitness centre includes an indoor pool, spa bath, and unisex sauna and steam rooms, as well as a gym with cardiovascular equipment, and a beauty spa by La Prairie, offering a range of treatments including massage and manicures. There is also a casino attached to the hotel, open 24 hours a day and with 16 gambling tables. VERDICT With a good city centre location and all the room, business and leisure facilities you would expect from a Hilton, the Athénée Palace will attract both individual business travellers and corporate groups visiting the Romanian capital. PRICES Fully flexible internet rates for a midweek stay in mid-July start from €370, room only. CONTACT Athénée Palace Hilton Bucharest, 1-3 Episcopiei Street, District 1, Bucharest 010292; tel +40 (21) 303 3777; hilton.com. Mark Caswell