Hotel Orient — Hotel in Brăila

Our night at Orient Hotel wasn't the best as we arrived around 2am and we were really tired, we booked a room for a night to rest not to be moved from one room to another. In the first place it was a problem with the parking spot at probably-10 degrees, there was no parking available and the receptionist kept saying to park it in a certain spot but it was really tight and the car couldn't fit there. After 10 minutes of trying to find a spot, we went to the reception and filled the papers and she said there are 2 options: 1 with 2 single beds that couldn't be put one next to another to make a double bed and the second was with a double bed and my husband said that he would like the room with the double bed. We received our keys, TV remote( by the way I don't get it why it should stay with the reception) and we went to the room. Surprisingly it was 2 single beds instead of a double one and I called the reception and she said she's sorry but she thought we want single beds. We got downstairs with a trolley and another bag from 2nd floor to ground floor. The room and the hotel doesn't deserve 3 stars at all. The bed wasn't the best for 3 stars, the mattress was dirty, no protection on the mattress and the sheet wasn't properly fitted. As the window was on the main road the curtains weren't covering the view properly so we had to insert them behind the wardrobe and other furniture. We didn't receive the AC remote and the heater was off when we arrived and outside was -10 degrees. In the morning it was freezing in the room, imagine if we had single beds.... a very poor experience with the accommodation and the staff.... the breakfast was rich and tasty. I would like to say that I will never return there even if I have to rest in the car,...

While not central, the hotel is not that far from the old town (Brăila's amphiteatre-like layout helps as well). It lies up a busy avenue, next to a gas station, and the small makeshift parking (they actually turned a good share of the sidewalk into a no rule parking) is far from sufficient given the number of rooms. Rooms are tastefully decorated and well appointed and both receptionists during our stay were helpful. On the downside, when we stayed there (a group), the restaurant closed down at 10 PM (last order at 09:30 PM) and the menu was reduced to a 'we have only one-two soups and grills, as for dessert, you can go get some ice cream at the gas station shop next door'. They had had a (loud) baptism party the night before, true, yet that does not justify the fact that the same kitchen staff were on duty 24 hours later and food was scarce. Luckily, there is a good and very fast service pizza place a 5 minute car ride away (the Bella Italia, recommended). Overall, in all fairness, a good hotel if there is no wedding or theme party when you are there, you find a parking place and you dine elsewhere. But the Orient Express a little up the street might be a better, cheaper choice, while one of the guesthouses in the old town - a better, quieter stay (the Residenza Dutzu definitely...

The "Deluxe" room was very nice with vintage-looking furniture, but not old. Fridge in the room (very small one, but very useful for water, beer, even a small melon). AC extremely useful with 38+ deg. C outside. The mattresses were remarkable: not too soft, not extremely hard, very pleasant so we could sleep perfectly from the first night (typically, it takes me one night to get used). Bathroom bigger than expected... the toilet paper stand was a bit too far from the toilet seat. :D The parking places are on the sidewalk, the receptionist will guide you where to park if no room right in front. The breakfast is various enough to not get bored for a few days. The only thing not so great was the soundproofing (not bad, but could be better): there was an event on Friday night in the downstairs restaurant, and we could vaguely hear the music being accommodated on the 3rd floor. I wonder how it was on the 2nd floor or, worse, right above the restaurant ... wouldn't wish to have been there. So, under normal circumstances, the hotel and rooms are quiet, but I would avoid staying there in the weekend if I needed silence. Lastly, the location is practical, at 5 min by car from the center or from the Danube shore, there are some shops/markets nearby ... anything needed can be found...