A new hotel that looks as if it’s straight from a fairy tale will soon open to the public in Transylvania, Romania, and it promises to inject a dose of the fantastical into your next overseas holiday.
Once upon a time – well, two years ago to be exact – Razran and Gabriela Vasile left their life together in Bucharest and fled to the Fagaras Mountains in Transylvania near Sibiu (35 minutes away) to start their life anew.
The couple, who worked as singers in the Romanian capital, decided to start a new business together and build a hotel that was just a bit different…
To pull this off, the couple enlisted the skills of eco-architect Ileana Mavrodin, who specialises in building structures that blend harmoniously with nature.
Pictured: Razran Vasile with architect Ileana Mavrodin
And the result? Something truly out of this world!
Castelul de Lut Valea Zanelor, which is set to open later this year and roughly translates into English as Clay Castle of the Valley of Fairies, was made from purely organic and sustainable materials, such as straw, sand, clay and wood.
The hotel features curved roofing, white clay and stone walls, and rustic wooden doors and window frames, all laid out in a design that resembles something out of a Disney fairy tale – yep, you can add a stay here to your list of the quirkiest travel experiences, EVER!
Keeping with its sustainable philosophy, no industrial paints were used throughout its construction, and there are no heaters or air conditioning units inside any of the 10 rooms inside the hotel.
Instead, rooms will be kept warm using traditional wood-burning fires during the colder months.
The hotel will also house an organic restaurant, which will open in the European Autumn this year, a couple of months before tourists can sleep over at the hotel.
But even though Castelul de Lut Valea Zanelor isn’t yet open for business, that hasn’t stopped tourists and Sibiu residents making the trip out to the Fagaras Mountains to see this whimsical hotel for themselves.
The hotel’s Facebook page has already amassed nearly 30,000 fans and significant media attention around the world, and it’s already been used for photoshoots, traditional performances, and even as the fairy tale backdrop to a wedding ceremony!
Aw, how romantic…
