Vila ZIA

The location is great and the house itself is good, but there are a lot of rough edges. The exterior tub was dirty and took ages to heat up, the cleaning wasn't good, and the amenities were poor. There were no comfort touches, like blankets for sitting on the balcony, that would have made the house feel cozy. The outside lights made the rooms too bright for sleeping, and there were no blinds on the windows. Getting to the lower part meant walking all the way around the house, and there's no bathroom downstairs. An amateur weekend, and not an experience I'd repeat.

The lake was the biggest letdown this time. Because of the dam works, it had nearly dried up, leaving just a small stream. We could fish here last year, and the atmosphere was completely different. Even so, we enjoyed our stay, and this was our second visit. The villa is lovely, with a spacious ground-floor living room and kitchen, plus two upstairs bedrooms with private bathrooms. The hot tub is great for relaxing, and a pontoon leads down to the lake. One thing to keep in mind is the very steep, narrow stairs to the lower terrace. They're inconvenient when you're carrying things for the barbecue. We also had to collect and return the key at Oscar restaurant, about 30 minutes away. A key locker at the villa would make more sense. A bathroom on the ground floor would be handy, too, since otherwise you have to keep going upstairs.

We felt right at home here for three nights. The rooms have wonderful views, the living room is spacious, and the sofa is incredibly comfortable. The kitchen had everything we needed, and the place was very clean. The manager was hands-on and attentive. Gorgeous setting, and we'll definitely come back.

The snowfall throughout our four days there made the already beautiful Doftana Valley scenery feel especially magical. Vila Zia is right by Lake Paltinu, with an elegant design that brings comfort and nature together. The living room is a highlight, with huge windows, lots of natural light, and impressive views. The rooms are very comfortable, each with its own bathroom, and the beds are great. The kitchen had everything we needed to feel at home, and we enjoyed having both a barbecue and a hot tub. There was a problem with the central heating during the heavy snowfall, but the administrators responded quickly with a backup, and our worries were soon taken care of. The recently opened chalet exceeded our expectations. It would suit a romantic break, a trip with friends, or a business meeting, and we highly recommend it for a relaxing, private stay.