Bucharest Luxury Hotels

Bucharest, Romania's capital and fifteenth-largest city in Europe, offers three verified luxury hotels—the InterContinental Athénée Palace, JW Marriott, and Relais & Châteaux property Epoque. A major cultural, political, and economic hub on the River Dâmbovița, the city combines historic landmarks with continuous modernisation, drawing visitors to its parks, museums, and cultural venues.

Bucharest at a Glance

Bucharest is the capital and largest city of Romania, with 1.71 million residents in the city proper and a greater metropolitan area of 2.33 million. The city covers 239 km² (92 square miles) and ranks as Europe's fifteenth-largest city. Administratively, Bucharest comprises six sectors, each governed by a local mayor. In 2017, Bucharest was named the European city with the highest growth of overnight tourists according to the Mastercard Global Index of Urban Destinations. The city is one of Europe's fastest-growing high-tech destinations and the most prosperous city in Romania.

History and Character

First mentioned in 1459, Bucharest became the capital of the Romanian United Principalities in 1862 and the political centre of the newly proclaimed Kingdom of Romania in 1881. During the late 19th century, the city earned the nickname 'Paris of the East' for its cosmopolitan culture and eclectic architecture. The city's historic centre was listed as 'endangered' by the World Monuments Watch in 2016, reflecting ongoing restoration efforts in the core districts.

Luxury Hotels and Brands

Bucharest's verified luxury hotels represent three major brands and alliances: the InterContinental hotel group (InterContinental Athénée Palace Bucharest), JW Marriott (JW Marriott, București), and Relais & Châteaux (Epoque). Each property offers access to the city's cultural institutions, convention facilities, and recreational areas.

Parks and Recreation

The city features numerous parks and gardens, including the Cișmigiu Gardens in the city centre, opened in 1847 and frequented by poets and writers. Herăstrău Park surrounds Lake Herăstrău in the northern part of the city and includes the Village Museum. The Botanical Garden, located in the Cotroceni neighbourhood, is Romania's largest and contains over 10,000 plant species. Additional recreational areas include Tineretului Park, Lake Floreasca, Lake Tei, Lake Colentina, and Lake Văcărești, which hosts 97 bird species and at least seven mammal species.

Cultural Venues and Local Attractions

Bucharest hosts numerous cultural venues and educational institutes. The Grigore Antipa Museum is located near Victoriei Square. The city also features shopping areas and entertainment venues, including Hard Rock Cafe Bucharest and Berăria H, one of Europe's largest beer halls.

Questions about staying here

What is the population of Bucharest?

Bucharest has 1.71 million residents within the city proper and a greater metropolitan area of 2.33 million, making it the largest city in Romania and the fifteenth-largest in Europe.

When did Bucharest become the capital of Romania?

Bucharest became the capital of the Romanian United Principalities in 1862 and the political centre of the Kingdom of Romania in 1881.

What major parks can visitors explore in Bucharest?

Key parks include the Cișmigiu Gardens (opened 1847) in the city centre, Herăstrău Park with Lake Herăstrău, Tineretului Park, and the Botanical Garden, which is Romania's largest and contains over 10,000 plant species.

What is Bucharest's historical nickname?

During the late 19th century, Bucharest earned the nickname 'Paris of the East' for its cosmopolitan culture and eclectic architecture.

How many luxury hotel brands are verified in Bucharest?

Three luxury brands and alliances operate verified properties in Bucharest: InterContinental, JW Marriott, and Relais & Châteaux.

Destination facts: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA); hotel facts: our editorial board.