K+K Hotel Elisabeta - Bucharest, Romania 

"Bucharest K&K Hotel Elisabeta, well located and clean"
Posted: Mon, Nov 23 2009
We spent 4 days in Bucharest and 3 nights in K&K Hotel Elisabeta. Although located in a chaotic but relatively quiet side street (Str. Slanic), the K&K is close to some of the major buildings downtown as well as a wealth of cheap and fast public transportation means: metro, numerous buses, tram and trolleys. For a traveller used to international standards, there is nothing earthshaking in this hotel but it provides the service quality and friendliness that you will particularly welcome in a noisy and sometimes dirty city like Bucharest: spotless although relatively small rooms, pristine and comfortable beds, functionning showers, top class breakfast buffet, free internet access, quiet and efficient air conditioning, friendly, helpful and smiling staff (apparently mainly students). The only unpleasant thing is the fact that rooms have very small windows providing view to a tiny, dirty and ugly inner courtyard (see picture). I would therefore not recommend this hotel to a claustrophobic individual. For others, forget looking through the windows and enjoy your stay! At a walking distance, there are several good - not cheap - cafés with excellent snacks and a good choice of imported and local beers, in particular in Str. Caragiu, perpendicular to the Universitate building (Bulevardul Elisabeta) and in front of church Rusa (see photo). The old town is nearby, in a terrible state of dilapidation with new arrogant buildings (see photo) and some old churches (see photo). Don't miss Piata Unirii if fountains happen to be functionning (photo), surrounded by neostalinian buildings and a perspective view on the Parliament Palace (you will find many pictures elsewhere). If you wish to avoid the difficulties listed in numerous reports about taxi drivers, you can use bus 783 from the Otopeni airport: it stops at Piata Universitatii, 200 m away from the hotel, and costs only 5 RON (about 2€) for both ways, or one way for two persons. The stop for going back to Otopeni airport is in front of the Coltea Hospital, again 200m from the hotel. It's safer, cheaper, as fast as a taxi and a good opportunity to meet local people. About stray dogs: we saw some which looked rather shy and not agressive. It appears more important to make sure you don't walk in their droppings than to fear them. By the way, some Bucurestians seem to love these dogs: you will see pedestrians stopping for patting them and giving them a bite. About street children: very, very few in the center of the city. You will have to be alerted to notice them. Some beggars also, but certainly not a nuisance. About Gypsies: again very few of them visible in the center. They seem to gather mostly in parks in families (or clans) and do not bother pedestrians unless you watch them or take pictures. The basic rule of touristic wisdom applies also here: do not provoke! Safety: no problem encountered even in the old town which has a poor reputation in this respect including among Bucurestians. Again: do not provoke with golden watches and fancy cameras or videos. A little advice for those loving classical music: Bucharest has a little known opera situated at the end of B-dul Kogalniceanu (20 min walking, 5 min by bus from the hotel). We enjoyed a good level performance of "La Traviata" for about 6 € pp in the parterre. Public was cheeful and very warm. As everywhere, it's advisable to buy tickets in advance.

Wonderful Hotel
Posted: Tue, Jul 22 2008
My husband and I and 2 of our daughters spent 3 great nights at Hotel Elisabeta. The staff was wonderful at check in. Very kind and it took about 3 minutes. Our room was ready....a suite with a seperate sitting area...the couch was already ready folded out and ready for our daughters to sleep on! We loved the set up of the room and the decor. It was so quiet that you couldn't tell that you were located in a very busy place to be in Bucharest. Breakfast was great every morning, and the woman that waited on us were so nice. Our air conditioning wasn't as cold as we wanted the first evening, and I told the people at the front desk and it was immediately taken care of. I love ice in my drinks, and every morning I would ask for ice at the bar or in the breakfast room and they were so nice in giving it to me every time I asked. The intrernat was free and worked well. There are 2 computers for people to use in the lobby too. We loved this hotel and we'll be back....

Great
Posted: Tue, Apr 15 2008
The staff were extremely helpful and courteous. They really couldn't do enough to help us. The hotel and its facilities were excellent.