🇲🇩 Chișinău, Moldova
Savoy Hotel
📍 66, Strada Alexei Mateevici, Chișinău, MD-2009
Photo: official website
Your stay — Savoy Hotel
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The Property — Savoy Hotel
Walking into the Savoy Hotel feels like stepping into a time capsule of Belle Époque elegance, with marble floors, chandeliers and a grand staircase that could belong to a Parisian palace. The location is unbeatable – right on the main boulevard, a short walk from the National Opera and the central park. It’s a solid choice for business travellers wanting a quiet, central base and for couples who appreciate old-world polish without pretension. The service is formal but efficient, and the breakfast buffet is notably generous, with local cheeses, cured meats and fresh pastries.
Chronicles of Chișinău
Chișinău was founded in the 15th century as a monastic settlement, but its real growth began in 1812 when it became the capital of the newly annexed Russian province of Bessarabia. The city was heavily rebuilt after a devastating earthquake in 1940 and then again after World War II, which left it with a distinct Soviet-era architectural layer of wide boulevards and functionalist blocks. Independence in 1991 sparked a slow, cautious revival, with the historic centre now seeing a wave of café culture, wine bars and renovated late-19th-century buildings. Today, Chișinău feels like a city rediscovering its identity, blending Orthodox church domes, leafy parks and a proud wine-making heritage that dates back to the 19th century.
Best Time to Visit
Full Chișinău guide →Best months
May, June and September – warm, sunny days with low humidity, and the city’s parks are in full bloom. Crowds are moderate, and the wine harvest season begins in September.
Peak / festival surge
August is peak season, driven by the Wine Festival (early October also draws big crowds) and European summer holidays. Hotel prices at the Savoy can jump 30–50% above base rates. Events include the National Wine Day in early October and the Maria Bieșu Opera Festival in September.
Budget shoulder season
October and April offer the best value: daytime temperatures are still pleasant (12–18°C), accommodation is cheaper, and the city is less crowded. You’ll find decent discounts on rooms at the Savoy.
Weather & packing
Chișinău’s climate is continental, with hot summers and cold winters, but July can bring sudden thunderstorms that cool things down fast. Pack a light jacket or a cashmere wrap for evenings, and always carry a compact umbrella.
Live City Briefing — Chișinău
- The main stretch of Bulevardul Ștefan cel Mare is undergoing partial pedestrianisation, with new paving and benches being installed, which may cause minor detours but will eventually make the centre more walkable.
- The new Chișinău International Wine Centre opened in late 2025 near the train station, offering daily tastings of local wineries and a permanent exhibition on Moldovan wine history – handy for a pre-flight splurge.
- A major renovation of the National Museum of History on Bulevardul Ștefan cel Mare will be completed by summer 2026, reopening with a refreshed permanent collection on the city’s Roman and Soviet past.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Savoy Hotel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request rooms on floors 3 to 5 facing the inner courtyard (south side). These floors avoid street noise from Strada Alexei Mateevici and have a quieter, more private outlook. Upper courtyard-facing rooms also get better natural light without the traffic rumble.
Rooms to avoid
Steer clear of rooms on floors 1 and 2 facing the street (north side). Ground-floor rooms near the lobby and restaurant can pick up clatter from check-in and breakfast service. Rooms directly above the main entrance may also hear door slams and valet activity.
Best views
Street-facing rooms on floors 5 or 6 offer a view of Strada Alexei Mateevici’s tree-lined avenue and the City Gate monument — not spectacular but pleasant. Courtyard rooms give a green interior view over the garden and neighbouring buildings. For a landmark view, a room with an east or north-east aspect might catch the Presidential Palace or Cathedral Park (check floor plan at booking).
Quietest floors
Floors 3 to 6 are generally quietest. These sit above the ground-floor public areas and below the top floor (if the hotel has a rooftop bar or terrace — check when booking).
🔊 Noise notes
Strada Alexei Mateevici is a main road in Chișinău with moderate traffic, including buses and taxis, especially in the morning (8-10am) and evening (5-7pm). The hotel entrance is on the ground floor, so occasional car door slams and pedestrian chatter can drift up to lower front rooms. There may also be event noise from the hotel’s ballroom or restaurant; request a room away from the event spaces if possible.
Insider tips
1) If you're driving, ask about the hotel’s car park — Savoy has a small private lot, but spaces are limited, so request one in advance or plan to use the public parking on Strada Sfatul Țării, a 2-minute walk away. 2) Request a room on floor 4 or 5 facing the courtyard — these are the quietest and get afternoon sun in summer, but avoid the west-facing corner rooms that can get hot. Also, the hotel’s spa and pool (if available) are on the lower ground floor; if you book a treatment, confirm the room location to avoid walking through noisy corridors.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Savoy Hotel
Complimentary high-speed WiFi throughout; no login or device limits.
Two lifts serve all guest floors; no stairs-only sections.
Complimentary access to PressReader on personal devices. A selection of European newspapers is available in the lobby. The hotel is housed in a 1970s modernist building; its original exterior features have been retained.
Check-in from 14:00. You can leave luggage at reception if you arrive early. Late check-out until 14:00 is free; after that is 50% of the room rate.
Free at reception before check-in and after check-out.
Step-free access at the main entrance with a ramp. Lifts are wheelchair accessible. Two adapted guest rooms exist. There is no step-free route to the rooftop bar.
Guarded on-site parking is 150 MDL per night; no valet. The nearest public car park is on Strada Ismail, a 5-minute walk, for 30 MDL per hour. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment is taken at booking. A card hold of about 2000 MDL per night is taken at check-in for incidentals.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Biserica „Întâmpinarea Domnului” (574 m · ~7 min walk)
- Hindu temple: Iskcon (579 m · ~7 min walk)
- Church: Biserica Sf. Vladimir (837 m · ~10 min walk)
- Church: Biserica Duminica Tuturor Sfinților (1.0 km · ~13 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Toro Center — 1.5 km · ~19 min walk
Parcul „Valea Morilor” — 866 m · ~11 min walk
Muzeul Național al Literaturii Române — 346 m · ~4 min walk
Teatrul Verde — 277 m · ~3 min walk
Terenul de Joacă de pe Plaja „Valea Morilor” — 1.4 km · ~18 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 749 m · ~9 min walk
Felicia — 820 m · ~10 min walk
Sehr Gut — 732 m · ~9 min walk
Gara Auto Centrală — 2.4 km · ~29 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Moldovan Leu, MDL
Exchange money at banks or exchange offices with a fair rate; avoid airport and tourist bureau kiosks where rates are noticeably worse.
Cards accepted in most supermarkets, chain restaurants, and hotels; smaller cafes, markets, and taxis often require cash.
Rounding up the bill or leaving 10% is appreciated in restaurants; taxis and hotel staff do not expect tips but a small amount for good service is fine.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A simple espresso or filter coffee from a street stall or bakery costs around 15-20 MDL.
A filling lunch of soup, main, and drink at a self-service canteen or local lunch spot runs about 80-100 MDL.
A main course at a reasonably priced restaurant or pub costs roughly 120-180 MDL.
Near the central market or along pedestrian streets you'll find stalls selling plăcintă, mici, and other cheap eats.
Supermarkets like Linella and Nr.1 are common in this area and are budget-friendly.
For affordable clothing, head to the central market (Piața Centrală) or the UNIC shopping centre.
The cheapest way around is by trolleybus or minibus (ruta) at 6 MDL per ride; from the airport, take bus 30 or 165 for 6 MDL instead of a taxi.
Eat where locals do: avoid the main tourist strip near the Arc de Triomphe for lunch. Use the discount card system at some supermarkets (ask for 'card de fidelitate'). Carry small notes and coins for markets and taxis to avoid being overcharged.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Chișinău, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Savoy Hotel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 749 m · ~9 min walk — pharmacy · Felicia — 820 m · ~10 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Chișinău International Airport (KIV) → Hotel Olimpia (Bulevardul Moscovei 17)
💡 Download Yandex Go app before arrival—select 'Airport' pickup zone. Avoid drivers at arrivals hall; they quote triple the app rate.
Hotel Olimpia → Piata Centrală or city centre
💡 Set destination as 'Piața Centrală' (Central Market) for cheap produce and local snacks. The app works offline with cached maps in Moldova.
Chișinău International Airport (bus stop outside terminal) → Bulevardul Moscovei (stop: str. Ion Creangă)
💡 Pay with contactless card or phone (Visa/Mastercard) on the validator inside. Exact change only if using cash. Get off at 'str. Ion Creangă'—200m walk to hotel.
Bulevardul Moscovei / str. Ion Creangă stop → Strada 31 August 1989 (city centre)
💡 Use Moovit app for live route tracking. Trolleybus 2 runs directly to the National Museum of History. Validate only once—do not tap again on exit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Savoy Hotel?
Request rooms on floors 3 to 5 facing the inner courtyard (south side). These floors avoid street noise from Strada Alexei Mateevici and have a quieter, more private outlook. Upper courtyard-facing rooms also get better natural light without the traffic rumble.
Which rooms should I avoid at Savoy Hotel?
Steer clear of rooms on floors 1 and 2 facing the street (north side). Ground-floor rooms near the lobby and restaurant can pick up clatter from check-in and breakfast service. Rooms directly above the main entrance may also hear door slams and valet activity.
Is Savoy Hotel noisy?
Strada Alexei Mateevici is a main road in Chișinău with moderate traffic, including buses and taxis, especially in the morning (8-10am) and evening (5-7pm). The hotel entrance is on the ground floor, so occasional car door slams and pedestrian chatter can drift up to lower front rooms. There may also be event noise from the hotel’s ballroom or restaurant; request a room away from the event spaces if possible.
Which rooms have the best views at Savoy Hotel?
Street-facing rooms on floors 5 or 6 offer a view of Strada Alexei Mateevici’s tree-lined avenue and the City Gate monument — not spectacular but pleasant. Courtyard rooms give a green interior view over the garden and neighbouring buildings. For a landmark view, a room with an east or north-east aspect might catch the Presidential Palace or Cathedral Park (check floor plan at booking).
What are insider tips for staying at Savoy Hotel?
1) If you're driving, ask about the hotel’s car park — Savoy has a small private lot, but spaces are limited, so request one in advance or plan to use the public parking on Strada Sfatul Țării, a 2-minute walk away. 2) Request a room on floor 4 or 5 facing the courtyard — these are the quietest and get afternoon sun in summer, but avoid the west-facing corner rooms that can get hot. Also, the hotel’s spa and pool (if available) are on the lower ground floor; if you book a treatment, confirm the room location to avoid walking through noisy corridors.
What time is check-in at Savoy Hotel?
Check-in at Savoy Hotel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Savoy Hotel have Wi-Fi?
Complimentary high-speed WiFi throughout; no login or device limits.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Savoy Hotel?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Savoy Hotel?
A filling lunch of soup, main, and drink at a self-service canteen or local lunch spot runs about 80-100 MDL.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Savoy Hotel?
The cheapest way around is by trolleybus or minibus (ruta) at 6 MDL per ride; from the airport, take bus 30 or 165 for 6 MDL instead of a taxi.
When is the best time to visit Chișinău?
May, June and September – warm, sunny days with low humidity, and the city’s parks are in full bloom. Crowds are moderate, and the wine harvest season begins in September.
Top Attractions in Chișinău
💡 The free-to-use fountains are a good spot to cool off in summer. Avoid the restaurant here — mediocre food, steep prices.
💡 Arrive before 9am on Sunday to see the liturgy — it is more atmospheric and less crowded than later in the day. Women should bring a headscarf to cover their hair.
💡 The free entry applies only to the permanent collection, which is on the first floor. Visit Wednesday morning to dodge school groups. You can get a printed English map at reception for no charge.
💡 Try the smoked cheese (telemea afumată) from the wooden stalls on the left side — 150 lei per kilo. Go before 11am for the freshest produce. Haggling is not expected but rounding down by 10 lei is fine.
💡 Go on a weekday morning when it is quiet. The small beach cafe sells drinks for 20 lei, half the price of places near the centre.