The Hilton Brasserie downtown Bucharest, known from the 90s to the expat community in the city, will be closed down as the hotel owner, Ana Hotels, is planning to revamp the hotel's ground floor spaces. The Brasserie will be replaced by retail spaces. “ The Brasserie restaurant will be closed and be converted into a luxurious retail shop until the end of 2010,” Athenee Palace Hilton representatives have said in a statement. The renovation, which will cost EUR 2 million, will start in June. La Brasserie is also known as a symbol of Bucharest, as it gathered a plethora of writers and artists in the 60s and 70s.

Le Bistrot restaurant will reopen with a new concept in August 2010. During the months of July and August Le Collonnade and the hotel lobby will also have a facelift. Athénée Palace Hilton Bucharest has already finished the renovation works for Roberto’s on La Strada terrace and will refurbish the restaurant too towards the end of this year. The hotel will remain fully operational during the refurbishment and guests can choose between Roberto’s restaurant, Roberto’s on La Strada, the English Bar as well as Le Collonnade.

Athenee Palace Hilton will offer more details on the revamping in a press conference tomorrow.