Straja Apart

The only real downside is there's no elevator, though that wasn't a big issue for us. The two-bedroom apartment on the second floor was great, and everything went smoothly. Its kitchen was small but nicely updated, with enough utensils for tea and a decent breakfast. There's a ski room downstairs, plus a large parking lot with an EV charging point out front. Straja Apart Hotel is in Lupeni, a few minutes' drive from the main cableway to the Straja ski resort, and hotel guests can get a free shuttle to the station any time. It works well for families with children who want to avoid the mountain chalets in Straja, where many places have noisy parties every evening. If you don't feel like cooking, Straja Apart Cocktail Bar, the best restaurant and coffee bar in town, is right next door.

We spent Valentine's week here for a ski holiday and had a wonderful stay. The people were welcoming, and the place feels cozy and inviting. Straja Apart was brand new, with 2023 as its first season, and everything was up to par, refurbished with lots of attention to detail. Our spacious room had its own kitchenette with everything needed for a short stay, a comfortable mattress, a large bathroom, and a temperature setting we could control ourselves. The cable car to the slopes is 1.5 km away, and a passenger van takes guests there for free. Just ask the lady at the front desk to schedule a pickup. Downstairs there's plenty of storage for winter sports gear and a machine to dry boots. There's no elevator, which is a small downside, but the building has only four floors, so the stairs are manageable. Our driver was kind, obliging, and always helpful. For food, there's a very good burger place 5-7 minutes away on foot, a fancier restaurant in town, and a bar at Straja Apart that serves drinks only. At least two supermarkets are within a 10-minute drive. A swimming pool in nearby Vulcan is less than a 10-minute drive away, opens until 9 pm, and costs 17 lei to enter. Not many people seem to know about it, but it's great after a day on the slopes. Straja is one of the best ski resorts I've visited, with lots of slopes to choose from and cable transport readily available. It also isn't very crowded. Ski passes are among the cheapest in the country: we paid 120 lei per person per day for a five-day all-inclusive access bundle, compared with 160 lei for a one-day pass. There are plenty of equipment rental shops and at least four après ski bars. The lady at the front desk also gives you a 10% off voucher for ski passes. I totally recommend Straja for a ski vacation. It isn't widely known, and we had a much better experience here than at a lot of other resorts in the country.

Everything in the rooms was clean and tidy, and they were fully equipped. The accommodation was cozy, and the staff and owners were friendly and helpful. Having a bar next to the rooms was a nice touch. It's really close to the ski area, about five minutes by car.

Really nice place, with super nice rooms. Best in the area, and the restaurant has very good pizza and cocktails.