Intercontinental Bucharest reopens 21st floor

The design of the entire floor is the work of Virgile and Stone Associates, a London-based multi-disciplinary firm of interior designers, architects and graphic designers. The contemporary design has been completed with Catellani & Smith light fixtures, Minotti furniture and Romanian inspired artworks. Young Romanian artist Daniel Stancu provided the new Club Lounge with three fine artworks called The Children's Fortress. Special attention went into picking the decorations. London artist Jo de Pear, who was approached by Virgile and Stone, created an original work with an authentically local approach. “Jo de Pear based her contemporary approach to prints on pieces of Romanian lace and other textiles collected from craft museums and old antique markets. The concept achieved its originality and creativity by taking these traditional patterns and updating them in harmony with the spirit of the hotel's 21st Floor,” said Carlos Virgile of Virgile and Stone.The new Fortuna Ballroom is a 282-sqm location which can accommodate 180 guests in reception style and 150 guests in banquet style. The Hora Room can host up to 40 guests and has a surface of 62 sqm, catering for smaller business or social events. The investments that went into the renovation of the 21st floor were in excess of EUR 10 million, according to Marten Schoenrock, general manager of the hotel. This sum represented nearly a third of the entire budget stipulated for renovations (EUR 35 million), a process which could last for more than two years. Occupancy rates this year were 5-7 percent lower than during the same period of last year. “The difference will not continue to be that big. We feel there is a little bit more movement on the market. Until now, September has been okay and October and November are already high season for us. The market is not as far down as in the first six months of the year,” said Schoenrock. He added that, overall, the hotel had lowered its rates. “We are not the only ones – the rates of all our competitors have also come down,” said Schoenrock, who added that it was the business segment which saved the market.
Otilia Haraga