In an out-of-the-way location, 6 km south of the city center, but only 50 meters from the closest metro station and with easy access to the A7, this relative upstart?it has only been in operation since 2005?is an upper-middle-grade commercial hotel with the feel of a well-run Marriott. Once a bustling biscuit factory, it now offers groups and gatherings more space than the downtown norm, including a large central garden, a conference center, a well-rounded health club and sprawling public areas. There is even enough room for buses to park. This latter perk gives an indication of the clientele to expect here. The reworked exterior has a pair of towers and Renaissance-era accents that lend some character to the otherwise bland pie-shaped, three- to six-story building. The interior decoration throughout is crisp and contemporary with enough traditional accents to please romantics. Revolving doors spin guests into the light-filled lobby, where sparkling Murano chandeliers and Louis XV-style furniture are reflected in ornately inlaid marble floors. Three gold mosaic-tile vases provide a pinch of glitz to the room. Just beyond, a raised lounge purveys classic elegance with stylized Regency appointments and potted palms. Views are out onto the central courtyard, which sprouts a lawn in springtime. Guests unwilling to get out and explore this tranquil residential neighborhood will have to depend on the hotel's pair of expensive restaurants. The fifth-floor panoramic dining room off the winter garden is a formal affair, and alternatively, guests may take meals out in the courtyard. The health club is a stylish standout facility, with a beautiful indoor pool sparkling in green mosaic tile, a steam room, sauna, solarium, meditation lounge, and treatment rooms for massages and makeovers. It is one of the best of its kind in the city. Meetings are the big draw here, and planners have a variety of rooms to choose from, with the largest topping out at 250 people. State-of-the-art audiovisual equipment, wireless Internet access and business services are among the perks. Parking is around US$33 per night

hardly compensation for this out-of-the-way location. With the exception of a few small singles and doubles, most of the guest rooms are larger than the city norm. All display spirited contemporary decor with lovely window treatments, high ceilings, Murano sconces, plush patterned carpeting and good lighting. Most guests, however, are here for the generous workspace, which is equipped with dual-line phones with data ports and voice mail, high-speed Internet access, good storage space with laptop-sized safes, and minibars. Maintenance is excellent. Marble baths, some large and some small, harbor towel warmers, magnifying mirrors and hair dryers. Classic rooms are the smallest, larger exclusive rooms supply robes, and quality rooms, larger still, have the best exposures (some are located in the towers). Views in this drab suburban location are noisy and nothing to write home about, so request a room with a courtyard view. Room service stops at midnight. Pets are not permitted. The professional staff works hard to provide international standards. Convenient to transportation, this group- and meetings-oriented hotel is a tempting option for individuals who often arrive on discounted packages.