Our story · since 1971
A Bucharest landmark, written in its skyline
Opened in 1971 as the Inter-Continental, the tower above University Square has welcomed the world for more than fifty years. Today, as Grand Hotel Bucharest, it carries that story forward as a Romanian brand.
University Square, 1977 · Photo: Fortepan / MHSZ, CC BY-SA 3.0
Welcome
More than fifty years above University Square
Few buildings tell the story of Bucharest like ours. It rose with the National Theatre at the end of the 1960s, watched the city change from its balconies, and still greets every visitor arriving at the heart of the capital.
Grand Hotel Bucharest is part of Romania’s National Cultural Heritage. We look after it as a landmark and as a home for our guests, with one simple focus.
“Exceptional service for every guest, at the highest standards.”Salim Touma · General Manager
Timeline
From a city garden to a skyline icon
The key moments in the life of the hotel, and of the square it overlooks.
- 19th century
Before the tower
The land once belonged to Cernica Monastery and later to the Hagi-Moscu family, whose house served as Bucharest City Hall between 1882 and 1912. In the interwar years it became a summer garden, and after the war the home of the Krateyl Circus.
- 1967 – 1968
Construction begins
Work starts on a new hotel and the new National Theatre, designed together by architects Dinu Hariton (lead), Gheorghe Nădrag, Ion Moscu and Romeo Belea. Inter-Continental Hotels provides technical assistance, the first international hotel brand to come to Romania.
The tower rises above University Square, late 1960s - May 1971
The Inter-Continental opens
The tower opens as the Inter-Continental Bucharest, the second-tallest building in the city, with a swimming pool on the 22nd floor. Among the first guests are American travellers arriving on the first Pan Am flight to Bucharest.
The new Inter-Continental, early 1970s - 1979
A star of the screen
Scenes of the Romanian film classic “Nea Mărin Miliardar” are shot in the Imperial Apartment on the 19th floor. Amza Pellea, in his famous double role, turns the suite into a piece of Romanian cinema history.
On set in the Imperial Apartment · Film still: Nea Mărin Miliardar (1979), directed by Gheorghe Naghi. Rights belong to the film’s rights holders. Stay where the film was shot
The Imperial Apartment · 19th floor
240 m² with two bedrooms, a living and dining room with a white grand piano, and views over University Square. Ask us for availability and a personal offer.
Your email opens addressed to reservations@grandhotelbucharest.ro. Prefer to call? +40 21 310 2020
- December 1989
A window on history
The hotel is the base of the foreign press. From its balconies, journalists report on the events in University Square that are broadcast around the world.
- 1990s – 2000s
A new era
The hotel welcomes a new generation of business travellers, artists and leaders. In 2003 it becomes the InterContinental Bucharest, and from 2007 it is managed by IHG.
Balcescu Boulevard, May 1996 · sludgegulper (Flickr), CC BY-SA 2.0 - 1 January 2022
Grand Hotel Bucharest
After more than fifty years with an international flag, the hotel becomes Grand Hotel Bucharest, an independent Romanian brand, and begins a major renovation of rooms and public spaces.
- Today
Continuing the legacy
258 refreshed rooms and suites, three grand ballrooms, four restaurants and bars, and a rooftop pool, run by a Romanian team that knows this city by heart.
The tower
Designed so every room has its own view
Bucharest’s first true skyscraper, and still its tallest hotel.
The architects shaped the tower so that every room looks out on its own panorama of the city. The lower floors hold the lobby, restaurants and ballrooms; above them rise the guest floors, crowned by the pool, sauna and fitness rooms on the 22nd floor.
- Around 87 m tall
- Rooms with city views
- No 13th floor
- Pool on the 22nd floor
- Imperial Apartment, 240 m²
- Built with the National Theatre
Why “Grand Hotel Bucharest”
A name that belongs to the city
When we chose our new name in 2022, we looked back to the golden age of Bucharest hospitality.
In the late 19th century, the “grand hotels” of the city’s boulevards, such as the Grand Hotel du Boulevard, opened in 1873 on Calea Victoriei, welcomed travellers to the “Little Paris” of the East. They stood for elegance, generosity and a warm Romanian welcome.
Our name honours that tradition and carries the name of our city. It says what we are: a grand hotel, and a hotel of Bucharest.
A home-grown brand
Romanian at heart, world-class in service
We continue the hotel’s legacy by building a brand that is proudly Romanian, run by people who live and love this city.
A Romanian team
Many of our colleagues have welcomed guests in this building for years. Their knowledge of the hotel and the city is our greatest asset.
Romanian flavours
Balada brings modern Romanian cuisine to the table, with Romanian wines and local producers across our restaurants and bars.
Heritage, cared for
A listed landmark of Romania’s National Cultural Heritage, renovated with respect for its architecture and history.
Rooms renewed
Refreshed rooms and suites with city views, a writing desk and complimentary access to the rooftop pool, sauna and gym.
Events with a story
From the Ronda Ballroom to the 21st floor, we host conferences, galas and celebrations in rooms the city remembers.
Bucharest, shared
Our concierge opens the city to you, from the Old Town to the Palace of the Parliament.
Then & now
Fifty years in pictures
Tap a photo to see it larger.
Explore the hotel
Be part of the next chapter
Share your memories
Stayed with us before?
Do you have photos or stories from the Inter-Continental years? We would love to hear them.
Share a memoryGrand Hotel Bucharest
Stay in a piece of Bucharest history
Book direct for the best rate, with pool, sauna and gym included.
Historic photos: hotel archive; film stills from Nea Mărin Miliardar (1979); Fortepan / MHSZ (CC BY-SA 3.0) and sludgegulper on Flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0), via Wikimedia Commons and Flickr. Historical facts: hotel archives and public sources.