Hotel Opera - not a great performance - L Judge. Date of travel: Aug 2007
Location of the Opera Hotel is okay, near to the main shopping street and some spectacular official buildings. Initial impression was quite good with a clean and pleasant reception and reasonable welcome. Room was nice, clean and tidy with a kettle and some tea bags provided. The only leaflet for tourists was filled with adverts for call girls and escort services and we wondered at the sort of tourists it was aimed at. I would say they have gone for the business market rather than general travellers. The map was missing and when we asked, no more were available and no assistance offered in finding one. Breakfast is the usual buffet arrangement with overcooked eggs and average quality food; powdered orange and grapefruit squash instead of fresh juice. Don't use the hotels airport taxi at 30 euros for two people. Just call a local taxi and pay around 40 lei which worked out at about 12 euros including tip. No secure area for luggage either which is a worry, as we read a couple of reviews saying that money had gone missing from a bag. Staff spoke good English, but were just not really helpful. Not a performance I'll repeat.