Alexander House

HOTEL OVERVIEW

You know what? Alexander House completely caught me off guard. I mean, when you’re cruising down Bulevardul 22 Decembrie looking for your hotel, this place doesn’t scream “hey, look at me!” from the street – but honestly, that’s part of its charm. It’s got this understated thing going on that I actually appreciated after dealing with some of the flashier spots in Bucharest.

The location is pretty smart, actually. You’re close enough to Deva’s old citadel that you can walk there without breaking a sweat (well, maybe a little sweat if you’re tackling that hill in summer), but far enough from the main tourist chaos that you can actually get some sleep. The staff – and I’m not just saying this – they genuinely seem to know the area. When I asked about getting to Hunedoara Castle, the guy at reception didn’t just hand me a brochure; he actually sketched out the back roads that skip most of the traffic. That’s the kind of local knowledge you can’t Google.

The rooms are solid 3-star territory, but with these little touches that bump it up a notch. The beds are actually comfortable – not that fake-firm hotel mattress nonsense – and the bathrooms have decent water pressure, which honestly can be hit or miss in this part of Romania. What really got me was how quiet it stays, even when the place is full. I think it’s the way the building’s set back from the boulevard, plus they’ve got these thick curtains that block out both light and sound. Parking’s right there too, which saved me from wandering around Deva at 10 PM looking for a spot.

The breakfast situation is where they really shine, though. It’s not some sad continental spread – they do this local cheese and meat thing that’s way better than it sounds, plus the coffee’s actually drinkable. The dining room gets great morning light, and you can sort of plan your day while watching the city wake up outside. I ended up chatting with other travelers there most mornings, which doesn’t always happen at bigger hotels where everyone’s rushing around.

Look, it’s not going to win any design awards, and the WiFi can be temperamental on the upper floors, but there’s something refreshingly honest about Alexander House. The 9.2 rating makes sense once you’ve stayed there – it’s one of those places that just works. Whether you’re using Deva as a base for exploring the Hunedoara castles or just need a reliable stop between Bucharest and the western mountains, this place delivers without any drama. Plus, and this might sound weird, but the whole vibe reminded me why I like traveling in Romania in the first place – there’s this genuine hospitality that you don’t always find in more touristy spots.