Located in the heart of Brasov, Romania, Radisson Blu Aurum Brasov opened in one of Romania’s most beautiful cities. The hotel building was originally constructed on the site of the 1930s-era Palatul Telefoanelor (Palace of Phones), the city’s first telephone company building. After a three-year, $18.6 million restoration, it was transformed into a modern hotel property opened in late 2022.

With its modern and sophisticated space, and an experienced team of about 70 staffers, the hotel’s 110 rooms have attracted business and leisure travelers from many international destinations and throughout Romania.

© Joanna Tricorache

The hotel’s Artis restaurant provides a range of European and Asian dishes for lunch and dinner, including a sushi counter. The breakfast buffet is also impressive, and Aurum Lobby Bar offers coffees, wines, beers, signature cocktails and snacks throughout the day and late into the evening. The Sky Bar, expected to open this summer, will offer a rooftop swimming pool with views of Old Town and picturesque Tâmpa Hill, accompanied by offerings of light snacks and drinks.

The below-ground “tasting” room, known as Ordo di Artis, is ideal for group wine or coffee tastings, or themed tasting dinners for up to 18 guests. The room contains part of Brasov’s 400-year-old stone fortress wall, also visible under a large glass viewing window from the outdoor terrace floor. The hotel’s executive lounge provides panoramic views of the city and the surrounding Carpathian Mountains. The hotel provides conference space for meetings and events for up to 170 people.

The family-owned and -franchised Radisson Blu Aurum Brașov hotel was developed by local entrepreneurs Ramona and Răzvan Neamțu. The family wanted to develop a hotel project that would make a significant cultural and economic impact on the local community. Eighty percent  of the initial investment was used to hire local Romanian contractors, suppliers and employees.

© Joanna Tricorache

“We wanted the hotel to have a local flavor as much as possible, bringing historic photos and other historic artifacts into the property, working with as many Romanian suppliers as possible, for our guests to discover not only a hotel with great design and services but also one that is truly connected with the city of Brasov in every way,” said Răzvan Neamțu, co-owner, Radisson Blu Aurum Brasov.

“The golden color scheme and architecture was inspired by the towers of the fortress of Brasov, and many of the hotel’s interior ornaments were in the style of those used by Brasov aurarii (meaning goldsmiths – thus the Aurum in the name) in the 17th-century century [sic], when people were trading in gold,” said Romona Neamtu, co-owner, Radisson Blu Aurum Brasov. “When I discovered the original fortress wall during the construction,  I decided to enhance it by creating a large skylight above it, making it publicly accessible to visitors on the outdoor patio.”

© Simion Alb

Brasov is filled with stunning architecture, especially within Old Town. Here, Brasov’s citadel, Council Square, offers the monumental Black Church, as well as Renaissance, Classic and Baroque architecture, especially along Republicii Street in Old Town, where cafés, restaurants, eclectic boutiques, galleries and other businesses occupy the first floor of restored buildings.

In winter, the area known as Poiana Brasov, just 8 miles from the hotel, offers the biggest and most luxurious ski mountain terrain resort in Romania. With the recent opening of Brasov-Ghimbav Airport, Romania’s newest airport, investors expect exciting business opportunities in all local real estate sectors, including hotels and residential projects, as well as in the expanding office market sector for multinationals and local start-ups.

At Radisson Blu Aurum Brasov, an executive room with executive lounge access is around $225 per night. Discounted rates for all rooms are available for Radisson Rewards members.