Reflecting the architectural elegance of pre-war Bucharest, then known as the ‘Little Paris of the East,’ Villa Ecletico stands as an attractive three-floor sandstone building with cornices, a twin pillar entrance and other intricate design features in the heart of the capital city.
While only a five-minute walk from the central University Square, the National Theater and the prime parallel shopping streets, Boulevards Magheru and Victoriei, this 18-room, 4-star boutique hotel is located on Radu Cristian, a quiet street removed from heavy traffic.
It is one of several properties in the Romanian capital under the umbrella of the InStil Hotels group owned and managed by Marian Alecu, formerly country manager for the McDonald’s network. The others include Stil Old Town, Stil N Hotel in the northern district of the city and the Banat Hotel, close to the villa, which is now being refurbished. Villa Ecletico was originally constructed in 1921 for a business leader and his family with the help of architect Ion Grefu, the ground floor being offices, the first floor family bedrooms and the second floor for their children, before being and renovated by the Alecu family over the last few years.
Entering up a short staircase, one reaches an open, high-ceilinged marble-floored lobby with an ornate wooden staircase rising from it on one side and an art deco style metal staircase on the other leading to an assortment of room types including single, deluxe double, honeymoon double and luxury suite.
Above the entrance stairways is a beautiful stain-glass window. Past the lobby at the rear of the building is an interior courtyard with an intricate water-fountain fixture and tables and chairs. It’s a perfect place to relax after a day’s sight-seeing or indeed to enjoy breakfast alfresco.
My room, number 8, was located on the first floor, with a coded number for entrance. Well insulated, with no outside sounds audible, it featured a parquet floor, large wall mirror, flatscreen tv, carpet, an intriguing mural on one wall featuring various figures and art deco style brass bed lamps and wood panelling on the bedstead. It also possessed a butterfly-shaped coffee table and mini refrigerator. A globe-shaped paper mache lamp-shade hanging from the ceiling swayed gently with the slightest of breezes. A highlight of the room was its private balcony with chairs and coffee table overlooking the street below.
Breakfast at Villa Ecletico hosted in a cosy room is buffet-style with poached eggs, assorted cheeses, cold cuts, cereals, fresh fruit, grilled vegetables and croissants on the menu. Neither lunch nor dinner is served at the villa but there is an abundance of choices nearby, with two restaurants on the same street, one specialising in seafood.
Location being an important aspect of any accommodation choice, Villa Ecletico rates highly. It is a short five-minute walk to Old Town Bucharest, a renovated historic center packed with cafes, restaurants and several interesting museums including the National History Museum and Art Safari, a private modern gallery which hosts a number of impressive painting exhibitions at the same time from different artists.
