Although I was born in the middle of winter, I have never truly appreciated the first months of the year, especially in Bucharest, where everything feels grey and monotonous. During this time, I have always felt the need for luxury, comfort, color, music, indulgence and freshness. And I found them all at InterContinental Athénée Palace, where I celebrated my birthday.
It is not the first time we have stayed at Athénée Palace. I love this hotel in the heart of the capital. But since the conversion, and since it became InterContinental, I was very curious about the change.
And so, there we were at the reception desk, on a freezing day, eager to check in and explore, but most of all to fulfill my dream of relaxing at the pool and sauna.
I always feel a sense of satisfaction and fulfillment when, from the noise and cold outside, I step into an elegant hotel that smells divine and offers absolutely everything you need for relaxation and indulgence.
We also had a surprise: InterContinental Athénée Palace prepared a superb suite for my birthday. A generous living room with balcony, bathroom, sofa bed and a holiday feeling. A perfect bedroom, with a divine bed, warm lights and its own bathroom. And access to the Club Lounge.
I honestly cannot remember the last time I stayed at a hotel without Club Lounge access. For me, these clubs are an entire universe. They are intimate, elegant, perfectly curated for the most beautiful stories and experiences.
After absorbing all the peace and beauty of the suite, we went to the Club Lounge for a chamomile tea and then to the pool and sauna, to give myself exactly what I was craving.
We spent the afternoons in the Club, in front of the fireplace, with snacks, fresh fruit and cocktails. And the evenings are perfect for The English Bar, one of the first bars in Bucharest, famous for its history and the personalities who have crossed its threshold.
Mornings (not lazy at all when I am at a hotel 🙂), were celebrated with lots of fresh raspberries, pistachio cakes, poached eggs with salmon and a holiday atmosphere.
How much I loved spending the whole day at the edge of the bed, flipping through an album about the architecture and history of Bucharest, drinking tea, and watching the bohemian world of the Capital leaving the performances at the Athenaeum.
If you too wish for a special romantic weekend in Bucharest, here are my recommendations:
- check in early at InterContinental Athénée Palace and choose a one-bedroom suite with balcony and city view. You will thank me.
- on Friday afternoon go to the pool and Spa. Indulge yourself with the spring therapies proposed by the Spa at InterContinental Athénée Palace. My recommendation is Royal Spring Glow, which luxuriously combines the Golden Glow Scrub by Chanand with the Imperial Rejuvenation treatment, for velvety skin and an extra boost of vitality.
For moments of relaxation as a couple, Blossom Escape invites you to a Royal Treat – a 90-minute couples massage, followed by a 15-minute scalp massage – the perfect way to welcome spring.
- from 6 pm, go to the Club Lounge for snacks and cocktails, in front of the fireplace.
- if you adore culinary stories, make a reservation at JORJ, the hotel’s open-kitchen restaurant, where Chef Michael Passarelli will cook magical Mediterranean dishes for you. I recommend the salmon muffins with apricot sauce, the pumpkin soup, the delicious lamb chops and a Jorj tiramisu.
- you can end the day at The English Bar, where, for a perfect spring evening, I recommend the Amalfi cocktail, inspired by the sunny coast of Italy, with gin, lemon liqueur and fresh sage, Sarsuma, cognac with mandarins, lime and homemade anise syrup, and Sakura, a floral martini with gin, sake and maraschino cherry liqueur, in Japanese style.
- on Saturday morning go to the Club for breakfast. You absolutely must try the poached eggs with salmon. I also loved the fresh fruit salads, especially the raspberries, which I practically ate with a spoon :))
- take a tour of the churches in the old city center. They are all close to the hotel. You will discover not only a piece of Bucharest’s history, but also an oasis of peace and magic.
In just a few minutes you can reach Kretzulescu Church, then walk to the Italian Church on Magheru, one of the most beautiful Catholic churches in Romania, go down Academiei Street and visit Saint Nicholas “Dintr-o Zi” Church near the English Passage, continue to Doamnei Church, hidden among buildings and shops in a secret passage off Calea Victoriei, stop for a moment at Zlatari Church and then at Stavropoleos Monastery, located next to Caru’ cu Bere. After this journey into history, go to Carturesti Carusel for an art album or a novel to read slowly by the fireplace.
- return slowly through Macca – Vilacrosse Passage, where you can stop for a coffee and a shisha, then visit the National Art Museum for the Masterpieces Tour and indulge in the most beautiful works from the European Art Gallery.
- between 3 and 6 pm, I recommend the afternoon tea experience at Café Athénée, with mushroom brioche, foie gras and truffle mousse, beetroot macarons with goat cheese and walnuts, lobster and pistachio éclairs, citrus cheesecake and a cup of tiramisu with chocolate and hazelnuts.
- relax with a cocktail and the book you bought, by the fireplace at the Club Lounge, and get ready for a superb evening.
- I recommend buying tickets in advance for a performance at the Athenaeum, such as the March jazz season. Or go to the Cabaret show at Odeon, a flavorful story inspired by the play by John Van Druten and the stories of Christopher Isherwood.
- late in the evening, you can have a light dinner in your room or return to Jorj for a delicious smoked sea bass, marinated and prepared in-house with coconut gel, lemongrass and mango.
- and if you want to fully enjoy your romantic escape, take a late-night walk to Frank, the secret bar in Kretzulescu Park, where you enter through a discreet door only if you have a 50 bani coin with you :)) and where you can drink a Frank’s Paloma with mezcal, campari, grapefruit and salt.
- on Sunday morning, indulge yourself with breakfast at the Club Lounge and one more pool and Spa session.
Also follow the special events proposed by InterContinental Athénée Palace this spring, such as the Olfactory Dinner Experience on March 7, where each dish created by Chef Michael Passarelli is inspired by a collection perfume signed by Cristina Balan. A perfect gift for the women in your life.
And every Saturday evening, Restaurant Jorj relaunches its musical and culinary journeys with DJ MOSS FARAI and D:MOODS in the house.
I had a perfect birthday at InterContinental Athénée Palace and returned home full of energy and zest for life. Some time has passed since then, and now I am curious to test the spring delights and see the city in bloom. So I will return. And I wish the same for you.