CASA ENCIAN

You know what caught me off guard about Casa Encian? The moment I pulled up to this place in Colibiţa, I honestly wasn’t expecting much from a 3-star spot tucked away in what feels like the middle of nowhere Romania. But man, sometimes these hidden gems just hit differently. The building itself sits right there on the main road through town – and I mean, Colibiţa is basically one road with some houses scattered around – but somehow it doesn’t feel like you’re sleeping next to traffic. Maybe it’s because there’s hardly any traffic to speak of, or maybe they just built it right, but the rooms stay surprisingly quiet at night.

The thing about staying here is you’re literally a stone’s throw from Colibiţa Lake, which honestly makes this whole area worth the drive up into the mountains. I mean, you can walk down there in maybe five minutes, and if you’re into that whole peaceful morning walk thing, it’s pretty spectacular when the mist is still hanging over the water. The staff – well, they’re exactly what you’d expect from a family-run place in a small Romanian mountain town. Super friendly, genuinely helpful, and they actually know the area inside and out. They’ll tell you which trails to take if you want to hike (and trust me, bring proper shoes because these aren’t your typical tourist paths), or where to grab decent food since dining options are, let’s say, limited in town. The rooms are clean and comfortable enough – nothing fancy, but you get the feeling everything’s been maintained with care rather than just thrown together.

What really gets me about Casa Encian is how it manages to feel both remote and accessible at the same time. Yeah, you’re definitely in the mountains, surrounded by forests and that kind of deep quiet you only get when you’re truly away from civilization. But it’s not one of those places where you feel completely cut off – there’s decent WiFi, hot water that actually stays hot, and the beds are surprisingly comfortable for a place that probably doesn’t get reviewed by international hotel chains. The breakfast spread is simple but good, with local stuff that tastes like actual food instead of mass-produced hotel fare. I stayed there during shoulder season, so it was pretty quiet, but I get the sense summer brings more families and hikers. If you’re looking for a base to explore the Bârgău Mountains or just want to disconnect for a few days without completely roughing it, this place hits that sweet spot. Just don’t expect nightlife or fancy amenities – the entertainment here is the scenery and the silence, and honestly, that 9.6 rating makes perfect sense once you understand what Casa Encian is actually trying to be.