Athenee Palace Hilton
Facing the Royal Palace (now an art museum) in the centre, the Athenee is Bucharest's most famous hotel, one filled with spies from both sides during WWII. It's a grand business hotel now, with 272 modern carpeted rooms with all the amenities business travellers will need. In summer, the outside terrace is a great place for a light meal or mixed drink.

Episcopiei 1-3
Tel: (021) 303 3777.
Website: www.hilton.com
Price: $$$$

Casa Capsa
A hangout for poets before war and communism changed everything, the 61-room Capsa plays up its 1852 roots, with century-old style freshly maintained. Rooms are elegant, with dark-wood walls, antique armoires, chandeliers, tall ceilings and all mod cons. There's also a gym.

Calea Victoriei 36
Tel: (021) 313 4038.
Website: www.capsa.ro
Price: $$$

Hotel Carpati
A rare budget deal in the centre, the friendly Carpati has a mix of 39 renovated rooms - some are tiny, but all have a sink, a TV and air conditioning. Only eight rooms come with private bathrooms, otherwise there's a clean shower to use down the hall. There's a bit of Paris-style in the slightly aged lobby, where free breakfast is served, and the lift harks back from many decades past.

Matei Millo 16
Tel: (021) 315 0140.
Website: www.hotelcarpatibucuresti.ro
Price: $-$$

Hotel Opera
Centrally located hotel with a stylish atmosphere. The 33 rooms are rather small, but all en suite with air conditioning, hair dryer, satellite and cable TV, high-speed Internet access, mini-bar and coffee-making facilities. Good value for money.

Brezoianu 37
Tel: (021) 312 4855.
Website: www.hotelopera.ro
Price: $$-$$$

K+K Hotel Elisabeta
Opened in 2006, the K+K Hotel Elisabeta is centrally located and boasts unique contemporary design and elegant furniture. The palatial building has all mod cons. There's free Wi-Fi throughout, and a full business lounge with coffee making and computing facilities. Free buffet breakfast.

Slãnic 26
Tel: (021) 311 8631/6.
Website: www.kkhotels.com
Price: $$$$

Radisson SAS
Set to open in mid 2008, the stylish 424-room business hotel (with a pool, jogging track, meeting rooms and Wi-Fi throughout) will likely make a mark on the map of many upscale visitors eyeing the centre.

Calea Victoriei 63-81
Tel: (021) 311 9000.
Website: www.bucharest.radissonsas.com
Price: $$$$

Rembrandt Hotel
This classy, intimate boutique hotel, tucked amongst some of the finest Paris-style buildings of the city centre, has 15 smart rooms with wood floors, free Internet, TV with DVD players and air conditioning. Rates include breakfast in the mezzanine cafe.

Smardan 11
Tel: (21) 313 9315/6.
Website: www.rembrandt.ro
Price: $$-$$$