The brand new Pensiune Ambient (Str. Iuliu Maniu nr. 62 B Tel. 4-0268-410622 ---) is smaller and lower key than its glitzier parent the nearby Hotel Ambient. Both are very nice but different in style. While the Pensiune Ambient is more for tourists or lower maintenance business types, Hotel Ambient’s primary target is the business traveler. The well-constructed Pensiunea just opened eight months ago. Good non-touristy location northeast of the Strada Republicii/Parc Central. About a 10-15 minute walk to old town and close to the business center. Some parking spots in the front. The staff is friendly and attentive. The manager Ciprian quickly answered my emails from the USA before my trip. I called when I arrived in Romania and the desk clerk was very helpful in trying to find a suitable room for my needs since the hotel was filling up quickly. As a solo female traveler I felt very safe and comfortable.

I splurged (70 Euros-US$90) and stayed in the quiet Apartment Suite #15 on the third floor. There are no elevators, so be prepared to climb stairs. Large one bedroom with king size bed, TV with cable (CNN, BBC), skylight windows and windows looking out on the copper tiled rooftops and the mountains in the distance. In the center of the apartment is a separate medium sized living room with a large sofa trundle bed that pulls out to a double bed. The living room has a TV, a refrigerator and a large skylight. The living room has a door to the bedroom and the door to the bathroom and the entry door. The bathroom is very nice and big. Beautifully tiled. All brand new. Large mirror. A shower stall with good water pressure. A radiator doubles as a towel rack. Also, a large skylight window. This apartment could comfortably accommodate up to 3-4 adults. (Other rooms: Singles 45Euros/Doubles 55Euros).

The price includes a basic continental breakfast of cornflakes, cocoa puffs, salami, ham, cheese, tomatoes, bread and coffee. Breakfast is served in the little bar/café off the lobby, which has windows looking out to the bustling street. Unfortunately, like everywhere in Romania, the café/bar allows smoking. Fortunately, the café windows were open since it was not cold outside.

The front desk clerks helped with my heavy bags and joked I brought the entire United States with me. The young, helpful desk clerks spoke very good English. Ditto for the clerk at the parent Hotel Ambient. All were very interested in talking to Americans who are still a novelty in Romania. All the other guests looked like Romanian business travelers. It was May and I only encountered Americans on my last day in Cluj. I wish I could have stayed and just relaxed a few more days in my nice room.

The Pensiune guests can use the parent Hotel Ambient’s free Internet /computer and other “services. The Hotel Ambient is about a 5-10 minute walk and has a good restaurant. The Hotel City Center is located between the two Ambients and looked nice.

Other tips: Across the street is a Banca Carpatica with a foreign exchange window with 0% commission. The CFR – Romanian national train system has a ticket office one block behind the Pensiune. CFR ticket office - Corner of Blvd. November 15th and Izvorul Rece Street. It was pouring rain so the CFR office came in very handy. I needed to buy a ticket and I saved an extra trip to the train station. The ticket clerks spoke English.

Restaurant: Ceresa Rau Romania just down the block from the Pensiune. A terrace restaurant with a non-smoking section! Good traditional Romanian food. Inexpensive- $11 for a full meal and tip. There is an OMV gas station at the next traffic light around the corner. The taxi to the train station should cost no more than 5 Lei. I was ripped off by a cab driver who charged 20 Lei or $7.50. The Brasov train station is under construction and the ramp way is like walking on rubble. Tough on my rolling suitcase. The Intercity train is very nice. Near the Black Church in the old town is a fabulous pastry shop named Vatra Ardealului. Brasov is pretty, go before it’s too discovered.