8 incredible castle hotels in Transylvania - The Travel Hack

Transylvania is a wonderful region to visit and has many beautiful castle hotels.

I fell in love with the region during my four-day Transylvania vacation, visiting Brasov, Bucharest, Bran Castle, and the Ice Hotel. It was amazing!

We’ve put together a list of the best castle hotels in Transylvania, or great hotels near famous castles where you can see the castle from your hotel window.

These castle hotels are not only beautiful, but are often located on the outskirts of charming cobblestone villages or dramatic snow-capped mountains. Additionally, Transylvania is also associated with Dracula and other legends, giving the region a mystical, fairy-tale feel.

Transylvanian castle hotels may be more affordable and offer more benefits than other castle hotels in mainland Europe. If staying overnight in a castle is on your bucket list, here are some great options!

Here are 8 incredible castle hotels in Transylvania…

1. Castel Haller in Ogra

just a few steps from the banks of the tranquil River Mures, Castel Haller is an elegant Baroque 4-star castle dating back to the 17th century. Cluj-Napoca is located just 90 km south-east on the way to Brasov from the city of Napoca, making it an ideal stopover in northern Transylvania.

It was the first of all Transylvania’s castle hotels to be renovated and since 2012 it has flourished as a hotel, restaurant and winery.

With 13 rooms and 1 apartment, each suite is spacious and comfortable. The décor follows the castle’s original style, with heavy, decorative wooden furniture, rugs, and period paintings.

Don’t be surprised if you find an antique typewriter or sewing machine in the suite. Although not strictly a relic of the Baroque era, it still adds a touch of sophistication.

The hotel’s restaurant can accommodate up to 60 people, and if you can calculate the number of rooms in Castel Haller with some simple mental arithmetic, you won’t have to fight for a table. We offer local Transylvanian and international cuisine.

In addition to the restaurant, Castel Haller has an ancient wine cellar, a beautiful garden with a furnished terrace, two swimming pools (fed with local thermal salt water) and a sauna.

All bookings include free parking and breakfast, and room rates start from £61 per night.

You can check reservations, prices and availability for Castel Haller here.

2. Vila Economat in Sinaia

Pele Castle is a neo-Renaissance castle in the Carpathian Mountains and one of Transylvania’s top tourist attractions. Approximately 500,000 tourists visit each year. Unfortunately it’s not a hotel.

However, Vila Economat is a hotel and is located in the same complex as Pelee Castle (known as Complex La Tunuri). This is the former Royal Guards office of the castle, which is just 100 meters away and has the same architectural style. Plus, you get to enjoy the view of the castle, so I think it’s even better than sleeping in the castle itself.

The Vila Economat building dates back to the late 1800s and looks like a medieval country mansion, with turrets, dark wood paneling on the facade, and balconies covered in red flowers. However, it has been operating as a hotel since 2012, so most of the furniture and fixtures are relatively new.

The decor is simple but cozy and timeless. Prices start from £69, including free parking and breakfast, so it’s not too expensive. Across the street in the same complex is the Romanian restaurant La Tunuri, and next door to the house where the castle’s architect lived, a new hotel, Vila Sipot, is currently being renovated.

besides Peles Castle, there’s plenty to do in Sinaia, including hiking and eating at one of the town’s restaurants. What’s more, it’s only 46 km south of Brasov, which takes about an hour to drive.

Check availability and prices for Villa Economat here.

3. Zabola Estate in Zabala

Most of Transylvania’s other castle hotels offer excellent mid-range accommodation, perfect for families. However, Zabora Estate is ideal for couples and those looking for a bit of luxury.

zavala is a small town on the edge of the Carpathian Mountains, 65 km northeast of Brasov, and takes just over 60 minutes by car. The hotel is ideal for a stopover on a Transylvanian road trip or for a short break from the city.

This 50-hectare site is home to seven historic buildings, including a 17th-century castle and a 20th-century castle. The oldest castle was actually a “mental hospital” during the communist era! But you’ll be happy to know that both castles and other centuries-old buildings on the grounds have now been completely renovated and turned into guesthouses and event venues.

All suites have everything you need for a country retreat. The bedroom has a claw-foot bath, a king-sized bed, an armchair by a real fireplace, a chandelier, and heavy furniture.

But don’t think for a second that Zabora Estate is old. Everything from the side tables to the wood flooring looks as if it was installed yesterday.

And once you’re there, you don’t need to leave at all. There is an on-site restaurant and spa, and the hotel also hosts wildlife tours and hiking tours through the wildlife preserve. You can also rent bicycles or ride horses around the lake. Yes, it’s plural.

Free parking is included and accommodation rates start from £108 per night.

Check rates and availability at Zabora Estate here.

4. Bratescu Mansion (Conacul Bratescu) near Bran Castle

bran Castle served as the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s classic Dracula novel Castle Dracula. It is located in the town of Bran, just 30 km (30 minutes by car) southwest of Brasov.

This 14th-century former royal fortress is the most visited castle in Romania (which is saying something considering Romania’s large number of medieval castles)), which is visited by nearly 1 million people a year. Unfortunately, it is not a hotel, so you cannot stay overnight.

But Villa Bratescu is the next best thing! This 4-star hotel offers unobstructed views of the famous mountainside castle just a stone’s throw away.

Villa Bratescu has all the architectural features of an authentic Transylvanian mansion, so it’s no wonder you consider it a historic building. It is also set on a hillside surrounded by countryside and features dark wood paneling and dark red roofs.

Most of Bratescu Mansion’s seven rooms and two suites have balconies or Juliet windows, allowing you to breathe in fresh country air and enjoy panoramic views from the comfort of your room. Each room has a typical country house décor, with soft furnishings in floral prints and heavy wooden furniture,

This cozy guesthouse has a small number of rooms but a restaurant serving traditional Romanian cuisine and local wines. However, the town center is less than a 10-minute walk from the guesthouse, so you can easily try out Bran’s other restaurants.

Click here to view rates and availability at Conakle Bratesque.

5. Werk Hotel & Spa near Corvin Castle in Hunedoara

View from Werk Hotel

Known as one of the “Seven Wonders of Romania,” Corvin Castle is a 19th-century fortress with striking orange towers and an impressive viaduct (although parts of the complex date back to the 15th century.

Although it requires a bit of a trek to reach from Transylvanian cities such as Brasov, Cluj-Napoca and Sibiu, it still welcomes hundreds of thousands of tourists each year.

Corvin Castle is not a hotel, but the Werk Hotel & Spa is a modern 4-star hotel literally across the road. In fact, the hotel’s huge ceiling-to-floor windows, balconies, and strategic architectural design ensure that almost every guest has a spectacular view of Corvin Castle. It’s less than a 5 minute walk from the hotel.

Each room is spacious and decorated in a simple monochrome Scandinavian style. There is also a huge indoor pool and spa, which has beautiful large windows that allow you to admire the surrounding town, castle and countryside as you swim and relax.

Werk Hotel has a restaurant and bar that caters to a variety of dietary needs and serves breakfast in the morning. If you prefer a modern hotel to a country-style guesthouse, this is a great option.

Check the rates at Werk Hotel here.

6. Radsor Hotel near Râsnov Citadel

Dating back to the 13th century, Rasnov Fortress is a vast fortress built to provide refuge for local villagers in the event of an invasion. It is huge and the views from this castle of the surrounding mountains and small medieval town are truly beautiful.

There are many castles worth visiting in Transylvania, but the Rasnov Fortress is also an essential stop on any Romania itinerary. It also helps that the castle is conveniently located just 30 minutes from Brasov.

But if you want to stay somewhere where you can wake up with views of this historic fort, there’s no better place than Radsor Hotel. This 4-star hotel is located across the main road from the castle, and most rooms have beautiful views of the castle and mountains.

Radsor’s rooms are spacious, bright, and simply decorated in a timeless, neutral interior style. But the best part is that most rooms have their own private balcony.

There is also a restaurant, serving a variety of Mediterranean dishes and breakfast every morning to please everyone. There is also a bar and a large, bright terrace where you can enjoy a drink while watching the sun set over the castle.

Radsor Hotel has free parking for guests and you can check room rates and availability here.

7. Hunter Prince Castle & Dracula Hotel in Turda

would you rather stay in the heart of a bustling city than in the countryside? Hunter Prince Castle is a great choice. Turda is located off the main highway, just 32 km (about 40 minutes by car) south of Cluj-Napoca in northern Transylvania.

The Hunter Prince’s castle looks like it came straight out of the pages of a fairy tale. Unfortunately, this his four-star fortress is not a “real” castle, but a unique boutique hotel that transports you to a fantasy world of knights, dragons, and princesses.

This pristine white and stone castle features turrets, ironwork, and a wooden sign indicating you’re staying at Dracula’s Hotel. Each room has wood-beamed ceilings, period furniture, and fun décor like bearskin rugs and armor.

Hunter Prince Castle’s main restaurant looks like a large castle dining hall, but it also has a terrace and serves international and local cuisine.

While everyone can enjoy a stay at this quirky hotel, we think you’ll find it to be a particularly great place to stay with older children. And it’s pet friendly.

Hunter Prince Castle & Dracula Hotel is just a 10-minute drive from Salina Turba Salt Mine, one of Transylvania’s top tourist attractions. Additionally, there are plenty of other restaurants and bars in Turda.

Bookings include free parking and breakfast, and rooms start from just £39 per night.

8. Castel Templul Cavalerilor in Valisoara

Castel Templer Caberellore, which means “Temple of the Knight’s Castle,” is exactly what you would imagine a Transylvanian castle to be like. It’s located in a secluded area on top of a mountain on the western edge of the area.

although it’s about 128 kilometers north of Sibiu (about a 90-minute drive), this castle hotel is well worth the effort to get there.

Built in the 14th century, this dark stone castle with burgundy roofs was used for defensive purposes until it was abandoned for centuries. In the early 2000s, a doctor from Brasov renovated an old castle and turned it into a simple but cozy guesthouse.

There’s a lot to love about Templer Caballerore Castle, including a four-poster wooden bed, a guest library, and numerous medieval weapons dotted around the grounds.

If you’re expecting 4-star luxury, you may be disappointed. But if you book your stay expecting the warm welcome of a privately run hotel in a historic castle, you’ll be in for a great time!

We offer free parking, breakfast on the terrace, and an on-site restaurant (which definitely looks more like the Winterfell canteen from Game of Thrones than a hotel!).

8 incredible castle hotels in Transylvania – The Travel Hack