Lido Hotel

Standing proudly on Magheru Boulevard, Hotel Lido is a remarkable piece of Bucharest’s architectural and cultural heritage. Designed by the renowned architect Ernst Doneaud and inaugurated in August 1930, the hotel quickly became an emblem of modern luxury in Romania’s capital. What set it apart from the very beginning was its astonishing wave pool—an innovative feature that was a first for Bucharest and a source of wonder for its residents.

The hotel’s original owner, Dr. Constantin Angelescu (1869-1948), was a distinguished politician who served as senator and even briefly as Prime Minister of Romania. Under his ownership, Hotel Lido flourished as a symbol of elegance and sophistication, attracting the city’s elite. However, following his death, the hotel was seized by the communist regime, like many other private properties of the time. Decades later, the restitution process proved to be an intricate legal battle, marred by the fraudulent dealings of the 1990s, which complicated the rightful heirs’ claims to the property.

In more recent years, Hotel Lido has seen a revival. Reports suggest that businessman Mohammad Murad has secured a 15-year lease from the Monteoru Anghelescu family, the rightful heirs of the property. His ambitious vision includes affiliating the hotel with Trump Hotels, the international hospitality chain owned by Donald Trump, and reopening it as a prestigious landmark in the city’s hospitality scene.

The images below capture a glimpse of the hotel’s courtyard and interior as they stood in 2016—a glimpse into a bygone era, preserved in time just before the extensive renovations were set to begin.

Photos & text: Alex Iacob