Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Room with a View
At the climax of the December 1989 Revolution, students from the Univer-
sity of Bucharest were among those who sat on busy University Square in
protest, only to be driven over by tanks still loyal to Ceau@escu. The square
is today still lorded over by the ugly frame of the Intercontinental Hotel (B-
dul Nicolae Bâlcescu 4; & 021/310-2020; www.intercontinental.com), from
where you can share the same view as the international press who wit-
nessed the wholesale massacre of ordinary citizens barricaded in by the mil-
itary. On the night of December 21, 1,000 helpless victims were killed here;
a black cross marks the spot where the first victim fell in the early evening.
Today, the areas in front of the National Theater (Teatrul Na$ional) and the
fountain in front of the University building are once again popular meeting
points for students who find many diversions around or near this great
physical and symbolic crossroads.
Bucharest Comfort Suites (www.comfortsuites.ro) and City Comfort (www.city
comfort.ro) both offer rentals that work out far cheaper than hotel stays; rates start at
35
($44) per night, including central locations. Apartments are clean, modestly fur-
nished, and include occasional cleaning service and air-conditioning; some have free
Internet access.
Hotel Carpa$i Built in the 1920s, this six-floor hotel has assorted clean guest
rooms, with or without en-suite bathrooms; some have private showers but no toilet
(and vice versa), while a few have their own bathroom and separate toilet. Rates vary
according to the level of privacy and in-room amenities. If you're splurging, the suites
represent unbelievable value; they're disproportionately spacious, with old, leather
sofas, chandeliers, antique telephones, and bathtubs. They're let down by extremely
soft mattresses, though. Rates include a simple breakfast and moody reception staff.
This is one of Bucharest's most popular budget hotels, often filled with last-minute
arrivals leading to complaints of reservations not being honored; if you decide to stay
here, get your booking confirmation in triplicate. A final warning: Mind your head
on the stairs.
Str. Matei Millo 16, Bucharest. & 021/315-0140. Fax 021/312-1857. www.hotelcarpatibucuresti.ro. 40 units. 22
($28) double with shared bathroom; 40
Value
($50) twin with shared shower; 63
($79) en-suite double; 71
($89)
suite. MC, V. Amenities: Breakfast area. In room:TV, some A/C, fridge.
WHERE TO DINE
If you just want to wander around looking for a restaurant head for Str. Episcopiei,
where the streets are lined with cafes and restaurants, including the charming Bistro
Atheneu (reviewed below). A short stroll from here is Byblos Bar & Restaurant, a
great place to grab a drink and light lunch, like pizza, panini, bruschetta, and salad
(including the delectable Byblos salad—spinach leaves, pine-nut kernels, and Parme-
san in a garlicky olive-oil dressing); at night Byblos transforms itself into an altogether
more classy dining experience (Nicolae Golescu 14-16; & 021/313-2091 ). Back
down Str. Episcopiei you might want to take a look at popular tourist haunt, La
Mama (Str. Episcopiei 7; &
021/312-9797; www.lamama.ro). Something of a
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