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Summary of reviewsHotel Mara offers a picturesque and tranquil retreat nestled in a serene, forested area near Sinaia, making it ideal for guests seeking relaxation amidst nature. The hotel's prime location combines seclusion with accessibility, as it remains convenient to major attractions despite its positioning on the outskirts of the city. The scenic views and peaceful environment are frequently celebrated by visitors.
Regarding dining, the breakfast experience is generally positive, boasting a variety and quality that appeals to health-conscious guests. The welcoming atmosphere and high-quality products in the buffet are often praised. Dinner at the hotel's restaurant garners mixed reviews; while the à la carte menu receives appreciation for its delicious dishes and pleasant ambiance, inconsistencies in food quality and pricing are areas noted for improvement.
Hotel Mara's rooms are spacious, bright and offer beautiful mountain or forest views. Guests appreciate the cleanliness and modern feel of recently renovated rooms. However, some rooms show signs of age, including outdated furniture and minor maintenance issues. Cleanliness overall meets high standards with the cleaning staff commended for their efficiency.
The staff at Hotel Mara are recognized for their friendliness and professionalism, enhancing the hospitality experience. Despite some reports of inconsistent service, particularly at the reception, the staff generally receive positive feedback for their attentiveness and willingness to address guests' needs.
The hotel's free high-speed wifi is a convenient feature for guests, although some minor connectivity issues were noted. The spa and pool facilities are standout features of Hotel Mara with the clean and well-maintained spa area offering a range of amenities like heated pools, saunas and a jacuzzi. The pool areas provide a relaxing environment, despite occasional overcrowding and temperature concerns.
Hotel Mara's parking facilities add to its convenience, offering safe and ample parking spaces for cars and motorbikes. Family-friendly features, including entertainment options for children, make it an ideal destination for family vacations, though a playground addition could further enhance the experience.
The comfort of the beds receives mixed feedback with some guests enjoying a comfortable sleep while others point out issues with bed size, firmness and the condition of mattresses and pillows.
In summary, Hotel Mara delivers a relaxing nature retreat with key strengths in location, cleanliness and friendly service, though there are areas for improvement in dining consistency, room maintenance and bed comfort to fully live up to its four-star rating. Show more
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Categories
Hotel with Spa
Hotel Mara provides spa services.
Romantic Hotel
Hotel Mara is a spa hotel that provides relaxation and wellness facilities. It is a suitable choice for couples seeking a comfortable and rejuvenating stay.
Hotel with Swimming Pool
Hotel Mara offers both indoor and outdoor pools that are heated, making them usable year-round. The pool is commended for being clean, spacious and beautifully designed.
Outdoor Pool
Hotel with Parking
This hotel offers parking to its guests. It adds convenience for those traveling with their own transport.
Accessible Hotel
Hotel Mara provides facilities for disabled guests, ensuring a more comfortable stay for visitors with accessibility needs.
Hotel for Honeymoon
Family Friendly Hotel
Business Hotel
Hotel with Gym
Hotel with Tennis Courts
4-Star Hotel
Hotel with Outdoor Pool
Room Types
Standard Twin RoomThis room comes with a balcony. Featuring a TV, a minibar and a hairdryer, it also contains a private bathroom with a bathtub. All units offer mountain views.
Room rates include free access to the semi-covered swimming pool, sauna, hot tub and fitness centre.
Please note that extra beds are offered at an extra charge, as per the property's Children and extra beds policies.
Standard Double RoomThis room comes with a balcony. Featuring a TV, a minibar and a hairdryer, it also contains a private bathroom with a bathtub. All units offer mountain views.
Room rates include free access to the semi-covered swimming pool, sauna, hot tub and fitness centre.
Please note that 1 child older than 6 years sleeping in existing beds are charged extra. For more information, please contact the property directly with the contact details provided in your confirmation.
Deluxe Double RoomThis spacious room comes with a seating area and a balcony. Featuring a TV, a minibar and a hairdryer, it also contains a private bathroom with a bathtub. All units offer mountain views.
Please note that the room rate is based on 2 guests. Maximum occupancy is 3 guests (see Property Policies).
Please note that extra beds are offered at an extra charge, as per the property's Children and extra beds policies.
Suite with Mountain ViewThis suite has a balcony, sofa and minibar.
Room rates include free access to the semi-covered swimming pool, sauna, hot tub and fitness centre.
Please note that extra beds are offered at an extra charge, as per the property's Children and extra beds policies.
Guest Reviews
8.4
Very Good
Location
Nestled in a quiet, secluded area near the forest, Hotel Mara offers a superb location characterized by its beautiful and dreamy landscape. Guests frequently highlight the serene and peaceful environment that surrounds the hotel, making it an ideal place for those looking to relax and unwind in the heart of nature. The panorama and views from the rooms contribute to a sense of tranquility with many rooms overlooking a beautiful, forested area.
Although the hotel is positioned on the outskirts of Sinaia and is a bit far from the city center, it still provides easy access to the main attractions with a bus stop conveniently located at the entrance. This combination of seclusion and accessibility means you can enjoy the peaceful ambiance without feeling completely cut off from city conveniences. The hotel is approximately a 10-minute drive from the local palace and features easy access routes from the highway, enhancing its connectivity.
The surrounding region is stunning with lush greenery and mountainous views that provide a scenic backdrop to your stay. Positioned within a beautiful area of Romania, Hotel Mara’s location is often described as exceptional, excellent and superb by visitors. For those looking for a harmonious blend of nature and accessibility, this hotel promises a perfect getaway with its beautiful location and serene environment.
Breakfast
Though the breakfast experience at Hotel Mara receives mixed feedback, a common theme among positive reviews highlights its variety and quality. Guests frequently mention a diverse selection with tasty and healthful options, making it an appealing choice for those mindful of their diet, including diabetics. Descriptions like hearty, delicious, rich and plentiful are often used, suggesting an adequate and enjoyable start to the day for many.
The breakfast is also noted for its welcoming atmosphere with staff providing a pleasant dining experience. Some guests lauded the buffet as good, varied and attractive with high-quality products, which could cater to various tastes and preferences.
However, not all reviews celebrate the breakfast offerings. A number of guests express dissatisfaction with the lack of variety and freshness, pointing out that options can be repetitive and insufficiently replenished. Issues occasionally noted include poor vegetarian choices, mediocre coffee and general quality inconsistencies.
Additionally, some logistical challenges like overcrowding in the breakfast room and delayed restocking of trays were mentioned, impacting the overall experience for certain visitors.
Overall, while many find the breakfast at Hotel Mara satisfactory and enjoyable, there is room for improvement in diversity and quality consistency to meet higher expectations.
Dinner
Hotel Mara's dinner experience offers a mixed bag, featuring both commendable and less favorable aspects. Guests generally praised the high quality and taste of the food, emphasizing delicious dishes and a variety of options on the à la carte menu. The restaurant's ambiance also received positive remarks, being described as pleasant and enhanced by live music, although some found the dining area a bit cramped.
On the flip side, several reviews pointed out the inconsistency in food quality with some experiencing mediocre to poor meals that were sometimes deemed inedible. Despite the culinary highlights, there were recurring complaints about the high prices with some considering the food overpriced given its quality.
The restaurant staff were appreciated for their service and there were suggestions for more menu flexibility, like offering wine by the glass. Overall, while the restaurant has the potential to impress with its excellent dishes, it has faced criticism regarding food quality and pricing from some guests.
Rooms
Hotel Mara's rooms are generally spacious and offer beautiful mountain or forest views, which guests find appealing. Many reviewers appreciate the brightness and cleanliness of the rooms with multiple mentions of large, airy spaces and well-furnished environments. Recently renovated rooms are particularly noted for their cleanliness and modern feel.
However, the hotel's rooms also show signs of age and wear with outdated and damaged furniture being a common complaint. Issues such as rust in the bathtubs, peeling furniture, malfunctioning doors and noisy, squeaky windows detract from the overall experience. Additionally, some guests reported uncomfortable beds and high, firm pillows.
There are also concerns about maintenance with mentions of mildew in the bathrooms, water leaks and malfunctioning refrigerators. Noise from adjacent rooms can be a disturbance and some found the heating and air conditioning systems problematic, causing rooms to either be too hot or drying out the air.
On the positive side, the hotel rooms were described as super clean by several guests and those looking for spacious accommodation will likely be satisfied. However, expect an older aesthetic and potential noise issues. The views are a highlight and could be a significant draw for visitors.
Beds
Hotel Mara has received mixed feedback concerning its beds from recent guests. On the positive side, many guests have remarked that the beds are comfortable with some even suggesting that the level of comfort exceeds the hotel's three-star rating. Several reviewers noted the beds as large and very comfy, contributing to an overall pleasant sleeping experience.
However, there are several areas where the hotel could improve. Some guests found the beds to be small and uncomfortably hard with several mentioning issues such as creaking or worn-out mattresses that detracted from their comfort. There were also mentions of extremely uncomfortable beds and insufficient bedding for two people sharing a double bed. The bed linens received mixed reviews with some guests describing them as very rough.
Pillows also received criticism for being either too soft or generally uncomfortable. Additionally, the lack of convenient power sockets by the beds was noted as an inconvenience.
While many guests enjoyed a comfortable sleep, there is significant feedback indicating that the hotel should address the condition and variety of its mattresses and pillows to better meet the expectations of all visitors.
Cleanliness
Hotel Mara has received high praise for its cleanliness, a crucial aspect for many travelers. The spacious rooms are frequently mentioned as being very clean with many guests appreciating the attention to detail in housekeeping. Visitors often noted the bathrooms as clean and the hotel's spa area also gets a mention for its cleanliness.
The cleaning staff has generally been commended for their promptness and efficiency, ensuring that rooms are cleaned daily and that clean linens and towels are regularly provided. The hotel's common areas, including the pool, are well-maintained and contribute to the overall tidy appearance of the property.
However, a few reviews point out areas needing improvement. Issues such as hair found in the bathtub, sporadic cleaning quality and inconsistent replenishment of toiletries were noted. Despite these minor drawbacks, the overall impression of Hotel Mara suggests it meets good cleanliness standards, aligning well with its 4-star rating.
Staff
Hotel Mara's staff receives generally positive feedback from guests, particularly for their friendliness and helpfulness. Many guests highlighted the staff's politeness and attentiveness, noting that employees are eager to solve any situation and are very receptive to guests' needs. The reception and restaurant staff received special mentions for being especially friendly and professional, making the hospitality experience pleasant from check-in to dining.
However, some reviews did indicate inconsistency in service. While numerous guests described the staff as amazing, incredibly polite and super nice, others noted that the reception team could be unresponsive and unhelpful at times. There were also mentions of certain staff members, notably at the pool, appearing intoxicated and some restaurant personnel providing disappointing service.
Overall, the hotel staff at Hotel Mara is highlighted as a significant positive aspect with the majority of guests appreciating their friendliness and professionalism, though there are areas noted that could benefit from improvement in consistency and responsiveness.
Wi-Fi
Hotel Mara offers free high-speed wifi, a definite convenience for guests. Though the overall experience with the connectivity is positive, there are areas where improvements could be made. Some guests mentioned the need for a more stable wifi connection and suggested providing more information in English. Additionally, a handful of reviews noted weak wifi signals, particularly in certain rooms. Nonetheless, these minor issues do not overshadow the availability of complimentary wifi, which many travelers will still find useful during their stay.
Spa
Nestled in a serene locale, Hotel Mara beckons those seeking relaxation and rejuvenation with its appealing spa amenities. The spa area, consistently noted for its cleanliness and inviting atmosphere, offers a range of facilities, including heated swimming pools, two saunas and a jacuzzi, providing a comprehensive wellness experience. Guests frequently commend the spa's well-maintained pool and the peaceful ambiance that defines the entire area.
The excellence of the swimming pool and spa area stands out, making it a notable feature of the hotel. Accessibility is efficient, allowing quick entry into the jacuzzi for an immediate soak. The aesthetics and functional aspects of the spa, including the dressing rooms located conveniently at the entrance, receive frequent positive mentions. The spa area, described as both beautiful and well worth a visit, enhances the overall appeal of Hotel Mara, promising a tranquil escape complemented by excellent facilities and attentive service.
Pool
Hotel Mara's pool facilities receive a mix of feedback from guests, predominantly highlighting several positive aspects. The hotel boasts both indoor and outdoor pools that are heated, attracting many for their year-round usability. Guests have commended the pool for being clean, spacious and beautifully designed with some even describing it as superb and a big plus. The pool's unique feature of connecting the indoor and outdoor areas is particularly praised, offering a flexible swimming experience.
The wellness amenities extend beyond just swimming with the inclusion of a Jacuzzi, sauna and additional recreational activities like billiards, ping pong and squash. These extra features contribute to a comprehensive leisure experience without needing to leave the hotel premises. The pool area provides a serene environment for sunbathing and relaxation, complemented by modern sunbeds and a pleasant view.
However, a few challenges are noted. Some guests find the pool water too chilly, while others mention that certain parts of the pool could use renovation. Depth can be an issue with the indoor pool described as very deep, which might not be suitable for all swimmers. Additionally, the pool often gets crowded, leading to occasional dissatisfaction.
Overall, Hotel Mara's pool remains a highlight for many visitors, offering a mix of relaxation and recreational opportunities amidst clean and well-maintained facilities.
Parking
Hotel Mara offers a variety of positive features for guests traveling by car. Many reviews highlight the hotel’s own parking spaces, which are both safe and free. The parking area is described as ample, spacious and large, providing sufficient spots within the hotel premises. Motorcyclists also noted the convenience of parking their bikes securely in the lot. Additionally, the complimentary parking service is a pleasant perk for those staying at the hotel with easy access to a pool further enhancing the guest experience. However, it is worth mentioning that a few reviews indicated instances of insufficient or small parking spaces. Nonetheless, the overall sentiments suggest that Hotel Mara generally provides a reliable and accommodating parking situation for its guests.
Family
Hotel Mara is a family-friendly destination ideal for a getaway with children. Guests frequently highlight its entertainment options for little ones, ensuring an enjoyable experience for the entire family. The hotel is well-suited for family vacations, catering to both parents and their children, even accommodating for babies. One notable feature is the great pool, which proves to be a popular spot. While the hotel is generally not crowded, creating a relaxed atmosphere, it can sometimes be lively with children running around. However, there's a suggestion for adding a playground to further enhance the children's experience. Overall, Hotel Mara stands out as a perfect place for a family looking to spend quality time together.
4 Star
Based on the extracted phrases from confirmed guest reviews, the 'Hotel Mara' has received mixed feedback regarding its 4-star rating and overall experience. Many guests felt that the hotel falls short of the 4-star standard with some aspects not meeting their expectations. Common criticisms include limited food options such as the absence of wholemeal bread, insufficiently maintained facilities like the swimming pool and diminishing lunch portions over time. Additionally, some patrons expressed dissatisfaction with the hotel's services, deeming them unworthy of a 4-star rating.
However, the hotel does have its merits as noted by a few reviews. Some guests acknowledged the adequacy of certain 4-star amenities and the presence of a spa, although it closes at 9 pm, seemed to add value for some visitors. Nonetheless, there is a consensus among several reviewers that the hotel might be more appropriately rated as a 3-star establishment. The price point, which aligns with 4-star expectations, did not always meet the experienced quality, leaving some guests disappointed. Despite its advertised star rating, there is a recurring sentiment that 'Hotel Mara' does not entirely live up to its 4-star claims.
Outdoor Pool
At Hotel Mara, the outdoor pool stands out as a central attraction, drawing attention with its modern design and extensive features. It offers a unique combination of indoor and outdoor swimming experiences, allowing guests the flexibility to enjoy a swim regardless of the weather. The heated feature of the pool is particularly appreciated, enabling comfortable use even in rainy or colder conditions. Reviewers consistently highlight the excellence of the outdoor pool, noting its significance in enhancing their overall stay at the hotel.
Yes, Hotel Mara has pool(s) that belong to one or more of the following categories: Outdoor Pool.
Yes, a spa is available at Hotel Mara.
No, Hotel Mara doesn't allow dogs.
Yes, parking facilities are available at Hotel Mara.