Casa Doina

I’d avoid this place. There are stairs upstairs that keep you away from Sfântu, and a man whose name might be Marin, Manole, Marius, or something like that kept coming around and bothering us. Last weekend, while we were staying there, he showed up at my husband’s place three times on Saturday, drunk and looking for a scandal, complaining that the kids were thumping and keeping him awake. He also came over drunk while we were barbecuing, wanting to chat. On Sunday, as we were getting ready to leave, he came to my husband’s place again to ask if he wanted to have wine with him. Call and ask before booking. I understand that he lives there permanently.

We were in Sinaia for work and wanted to be near the center. We only found this room the day before arriving, after the previous guests had canceled. Ours was on the 1st floor, facing the uphill road toward the mountain. It’s a minimalist room with the basics for one or two people, and the kitchenette was clean, with a stove, refrigerator, sink, and measuring cup for two or three people. The lady was very kind and looked after the cleaning. It was clean and warm at night, with hot water all the time, though it got a bit cold toward morning. There were some noisy parts. We could hear people walking and the floor creaking above us, especially late at night and toward morning, and the bathroom installation in the neighboring room when it ran. There was also some noise from our own bathroom. A small window in the hallway door let in light from the hall, which the person in the next room left on. That person also slammed the door and stomped around a bit when coming in. There didn’t seem to be parking. We came by train, so it wasn’t an issue, and if we’d driven we wouldn’t have expected a free spot in the center anyway. We’d probably have stayed farther out.

The best thing about this place was its central location in Sinaia, across from Mega Image and close to the city mall and other tourist spots. The gentleman running it was also very kind and willing to help. I stayed 3 days and 2 nights in the villa attic, in what they call a “quadruple” room because it has a bed and a pull-out sofa. Both were very uncomfortable, and I woke up with back pain. The pillows were lumpy, and there was so little room to relax that I kept bumping into the bed. The water was cold once the boiler’s hot water ran out, and then we had to wait hours for it to heat again. The heating was off, the room was cold, and the house didn’t seem insulated enough to hold warmth. I also paid quite a high price for these conditions. There’s no fridge in the room either, so you have to go downstairs to the shared kitchen to store anything. I’d give it 3 out of 5.

After a year in busy Bucharest, I come here for fresh air, peace, cleanliness, and hospitality. I’ve been staying here for 2 years now. The location is calm, and the mini kitchen is handy if you want to make coffee or tea or prepare something to eat whenever you like. A toaster would make it even better. The cleaning is exemplary. Hotels have their own options if someone wants 4 stars, but I prefer to offer the 4 stars that matter. There’s more I could say, but I don’t have the time or space. For me, it’s very good.