We stayed for two nights at the Central Plaza Hotel in the Romanian city of Piatra-Neamţ, known as the ‘Pearl of Moldavia’.
With 155 rooms over 14 floors, it was larger and more modern than the type of hotel we’d usually choose, but we were told it was the best in the city and crucially, the most centrally located.
On arrival, the receptionist was on the phone for a considerable length of time without acknowledging our presence, which wasn’t the best of starts. Eventually we had the key card for 1206, where we found we’d been allocated a fabulous room: the emergency evacuation plan showed rooms on two wings with a larger room in between. This overlooked the central atrium, and we had good views of the city from the 12th floor.
The king-size bed was comfortable, and although there was only one pillow each, additional ones were provided on request. There were also bedside lights, tables and charging points. As befits a four-star hotel it was equipped with a wardrobe containing the safe, slippers and robes, a long desk with chair, another table and chair, TV, and mini bar stocked with water and soft drinks. Unusually, there were no tea or coffee making facilities or bottled water.
Bearing in mind the surplus space in the bedroom, the bathroom was very small, and our initial delight at finding a shower cubicle, soon dissipated when we stepped on the flimsy, unstable plastic shower tray. However, there was space for our toiletries, with complimentary shower gel and soap being provided in large dispensers.
On arrival, the room appeared very hot, and as the air conditioning appeared to be stuck at 28°, we resorted to opening the window. Reception later explained that for the previous few nights, overnight temperatures had been only 4°, so the air conditioning had been set to blow hot only.
Despite the size and height of the hotel, there were only two small lifts each taking seven people or four with luggage. As it attracted large tour groups, the lifts were frequently overwhelmed on their arrival and departure.
On entering the ground floor breakfast room at 7am, our hearts sank when we found large round tables accommodating 10 people, and several groups already milling around. Eventually we found a smaller table in a quieter area and plunged in. There were juices from a machine, and having asked about fruit, a young man rather offhandedly pointed to whole apples and kiwi. We were settling on granola and yoghurt when he brought out a bowl of tinned chopped fruit. The cold selection contained cold meats and cheeses and a table with four dips (zacuscâ made from red peppers, taramasalata, salata de vinete with aubergines and hummus) and salad. There was the usual hot selection of fried eggs, sausages and bacon, with bread and toast. Reasonable coffee was available from a machine, although timing was all, to avoid the inevitable queues.
After a day’s sightseeing, we returned to the hotel at 4.15pm soaked to the skin after a sudden and unexpected deluge. Our room had not been serviced with the duty manager explaining they were very busy due to guests attending a ballroom dancing competition. Complimentary drinks in the Library Bar were offered whilst the room was refreshed.
Having been scarred by the groups at breakfast, we ate out one night and had an early snack in the Library Bar on the second, as our guide had secured tickets for the evening dance competition. As most of the cheaper wines on the list were unavailable, we settled on beers and a shared club sandwich with fries which was good, but huge. When we’d ordered, we were told the food and drinks would be on separate bills, but on paying, we found not only two bills, but two card machines as two banks were involved.
There were also conference rooms and a business centre which didn’t interfere with us.
The hotel was centrally located for sightseeing, and there was both a large supermarket and a smaller shop nearby where we could purchase water.
