It was late in the evening when my Cox & Kings guided tour of Romania arrived at the Hilton Sibiu, located on the forested edge of the historic Transylvanian city voted Europe’s Cultural Capital in 2007. Romania doesn’t have a long history with upscale tourism, and this is the only 5-star hotel in the city.

After a swift check-in, I went to my fourth-floor suite, which was decorated in burgundy and cream with dark wood furnishings. Unlike most rooms in the hotel, it had a strange configuration, as if two adjacent rooms had been joined, with the doorway to one sealed. Also, unlike others, it lacked a balcony. I entered through a hallway to an office-style room with a desk, flat-screen TV, two chairs grouped around a coffee table and a floor lamp, which strangely was adjacent to a bench. The marble bathroom, off the hallway, had a bidet and a combination deep tub/shower.

A double-wide door frame, without doors, led to the bedroom, with a king-sized bed dressed in quality white European-style duvet bedding and bookended with night tables, and another large, flat-screen TV. A hallway area had two benches, one for luggage, and, where I imagined an entry might have been, a table with a kettle, although neither tea nor coffee was provided. A second bathroom, with a shower, opened off this area. WiFi is free, and robes and slippers are provided.

Breakfast was an expansive buffet with hot and cold selections as well as local specialties, served in the Madrigal Restaurant. The hotel has two other restaurants — Versailles serving French cuisine and Camara Boierului specializing in local Transylvanian fare — as well as an English bar.

The hotel’s spa is reason enough to stay here. In a region renowned for its mineral waters and spas, this one is well regarded. It comprises a wet area with Swedish, infrared and aromatherapy saunas, a hammam, a whirlpool, a foot soak and water treatment rooms; relaxation and meditation rooms with heated chaises and fire imagery; treatment rooms; a nice lap pool; and a 24-hour fitness room. Access to the pool and fitness areas is complimentary for guests.

Overall, this is a fine hotel, although those accustomed to 5-star accommodations might find this more of a 4-star experience.

Hilton Sibiu

Strada Pădurea Dumbrava 1
Sibiu 550399, Romania
tel 40 269 505 600