Casa cu Lavanda

You know what? Casa cu Lavanda is one of those places that completely catches you off guard – and I mean that in the best possible way. When I first pulled up to 42 Strada Șoimilor, I’ll be honest, I wasn’t expecting much from a 3-star place in Petroșani. But honestly, that 9.7 rating isn’t just some fluke – this little gem actually deserves every bit of it.

The whole lavender theme isn’t just slapped on for marketing purposes (thank god). They’ve woven it throughout the place in this really thoughtful way that feels authentic rather than gimmicky. The scent hits you gently when you walk in – not overpowering like some hotels do with their lobby fragrances – just this subtle, calming presence that somehow makes you exhale without realizing it. The rooms are spotless, and I mean spotless in a way that tells you the owners actually care about this place. The beds are surprisingly comfortable too, which matters when you’re exploring the Jiu Valley all day and your feet are killing you.

What really won me over was how the staff – well, they’re more like hosts really – genuinely seem to know their stuff about the area. They pointed me toward this little hiking trail that heads up toward the old mining sites, something I never would’ve found on my own. And parking? Actually easy, which is more than I can say for some places I’ve stayed in Romanian mountain towns. The location on Strada Șoimilor puts you close enough to the town center that you can walk to decent restaurants (try the ciorbă at that place near the main square – locals will know which one), but far enough out that you’re not dealing with any street noise at night.

I stayed here during shoulder season in late spring, and the whole area was this perfect mix of quiet and accessible. The mountains around Petroșani are honestly underrated – everyone rushes off to Brașov or Sinaia, but there’s something really special about this part of Hunedoara County that feels more… I don’t know, authentic maybe? Less touristy for sure. Casa cu Lavanda fits that vibe perfectly – it’s not trying to be fancy or impress anyone, it’s just doing everything really, really well. The kind of place where you end up staying an extra night because you’re not quite ready to leave yet.