Hotel Bradul

The rooms are very dated, and look about as they probably did when the place was built in the 70s. Still, they're acceptable, and there aren't many other choices.

Bradul is a budget place to sleep before hiking, if you don't mind rough edges. The staff are friendly and chatty, and make do with what they have. Rooms are small and could be cleaner, but they work well enough for the purpose. There's an old fridge for food and drinks, and TVs we never tried. Remember to return the TV remote to the desk when checking out. Beds weren't comfortable, with firm mattresses and two single beds pushed together as a double. The frame sits high, or maybe the mattress is too low, so you can bang your knees, hamstrings, and ankles if you're not careful. The hotel has a 1980s look, with few visible updates over the years. Out back, you can barbecue and sit at tables and chairs in the evening with friends. It's handy for trails to Toaca peak or Duruitoarea waterfall. I wouldn't recommend the restaurant: the coffee tastes bad, and the food is usually swimming in oil, so it isn't worth the price. If you're on a limited budget and just need a place to sleep before a hike, Bradul is a decent option.

I wouldn't recommend it. The staff were condescending, the mattresses were really uncomfortable, and the rooms smelled odd. The food was okay apart from the soup, which tasted strange and made me think it might be old.

The restaurant food is very good, and I liked it. The hotel is great and the staff are great too. From the rooms, there's a lovely view of the Ceahlău peaks, with serene sounds coming from the nearby monastery.