I recently had the chance to explore a small bit of Romania on my way to Budapest, where I ended up booking 5 nights at the Hampton by Hilton Cluj-Napoca. The hotel is a category 2 Hilton property and costs 10,000 Hilton HHonors points or around $80 per night. For all guests the hotel offers free breakfast, wifi, and parking.
Outside view of the hotel (source: booking.com)
The hotel is located just 10 minutes from both the international airport and main train station in the city. It's just outside the bustling and beautiful historic center which can be easily reached by 10 minute walk.
I found Cluj-Napoca to be a superb first place to visit in Romania and the city hosted a variety of sights and almost limitless high-quality restaurants, cafes, and nightlife options. It's also possible to take interesting day trips around the Transylvania region from the city if you have a car. The city was nominated the European youth capital for 2015 and has around a 50,000 student population to help keep the city feeling lively.
I have automatic Hilton Gold status from the Citi® Hilton HHonors™ Reserve Card (card no longer offered) which gives me the benefit of booking award stays of five nights for the price of four. What I like about this benefit is that it applies for longer stays as well, so for every five nights you book you will get one night free.
Upon check-in I was told that my room was located on the 7th floor and I also asked about an upgrade, which I was told I could get a room with a sofa bed but in reality it's actually more cramped. I opted for the standard room which was plenty large enough for one person.
Hallway on the 7th floor
The service provided at check-in and beyond was certainly very professional and polite. Everyone spoke very good english and was helpful---the only shortfall was that I was not offered a welcome gift as a gold elite member, but as soon as I asked I was offered a free drink and snack or 250 HHonors points.
The hotel had a very modern design and appeared to be newly constructed or renovated in the last few years. Almost everything was in very good condition, clean and well designed.
The room was spacious and very modern, including some photos of the Cluj-Napoca which added a nice local touch. I've only stayed in a few Hampton Inns within the U.S. and most were only nightly stops along an interstate, however this hotel was certainly nicer and had much of a hotel feel.
There was a small work area in the corner of the room next to the flatscreen TV, which also contained a small coffee and tea making set. The biggest surprise was that there was no mini-bar in the room, but the hotel offers snacks and drinks at the bar in the lobby.
The closet shared the same door with the bathroom, so either the bathroom or closet would have to remain open at any given time. There was a small ironing board and slippers in the closet as well.
Two small complimentary bottles of water
Bathroom sink
The bathroom was also quite large and very new. It featured a walk-in shower with a small glass divider that curved around to keep water in---although not elegant it was certainly a very easy and simple design.
Walk-in shower
Shower amenities
Bathroom
As it's a Hampton hotel complimentary hot breakfast was included for all guests. The breakfast area felt very much like a Hampton Inn you would find within the U.S., featuring a buffet and open seating area with TV's featuring the morning news (CNN in english!).
Breakfast lobby
Breakfast area
The breakfast options were quite diverse, fresh, and certainly enough to make a full meal in the morning. There was a selection of fresh cheeses, meats, vegetables, breads and baked goods, coffee and tea, juices and fruits, a cereal and yogurt bar, and an assortment of hot foods including eggs, sausages, potatoes, etc.
Breakfast
Breakfast
Breakfast
Breakfast
Breakfast
Breakfast
The hotel also had a small business center just off the lobby with complimentary computer use and printing. As I was only there for a few days I didn't try out the fitness center.
Business center
The Bottom Line on the Hampton by Hilton Cluj-Napoca
My experience at the Hampton by Hilton Cluj-Napoca was very comfortable and the stay was top-notch, very professional, and friendly. Everything was clean---from the room to the breakfast area and made the whole hotel both feel and look very new.
At 10,000 Hilton HHonors points per night I consider the hotel a great deal and would definitely recommend it for anyone traveling through Cluj-Napoca who wants to stay at a branded hotel close to the city center.
