They say if you don’t have anything nice to say it’s better to keep your mouth shut, but if everyone follows this rule how would we know what is a scam, what is overrated, what is a good deal?
We continue the traveling topic with one of the last articles of this summer, and today we’ll talk about the well-renowned Sovata and Praid resorts from Romania.
Yeah, they are known in Romania as being one of the climacteric resorts, due to the proximity of the salt mine which further leads to salty lakes, springs of water, and pools!
Sounds relaxing and wellnessy, right?
Those were exactly my thoughts too! But everything was destroyed once I started to search for accommodation for 3 nights!
I know August is peak season, and I know there were cheaper options, but like a medium, no-breakfast included, 2 bedrooms with a single bathroom wagon-like “apartment” with no hallway, slow wi-fi, and no AC or heating systems, 350 euros per stay seemed a little overpriced. For context, the minimum wage in Romania is a little under 500 euros
Ok, we were four and we stayed 3 nights, technically the price/per person was ‘about 90 euros/per stay, 30 euros/per night. The real reason we chose this stay was that it had a pool and a jacuzzi. Unfortunately, the weather was pretty cold and we couldn’t use the unheated pool. The jacuzzi though wasn’t opened, neither the sauna, so I was pretty pissed about it. However, the stay was clean, the host was amazing, and we had access to the kitchen, living area, free coffee and tea, and parking. A bit expensive considering we couldn’t use the facilities, but overall I can’t fully complain about the quality and truly it is subjective.
I think it’s the fact that it was one of the few accessible accommodations that offered these things that really pissed me off. Otherwise, the options were either to be more expensive, like about 450-500 euros, which again, when you think 500 euros is the minimum wage and the area isn’t offering that much, it’s a lot, either you could opt for motels, or other accommodations with fewer facilities or lower comfort point.
When I say the area doesn’t offer too much, I mean in! You can see the Praid Salt Mine, you can see the Ursu Lake where you can swim, you can go to the salt pools, visit the Butterfly House, and a topsy turvy house and maybe take a ride with the steam train.
Maybe I am not the targeted audience or tourist for the area, but who is? Well, parents with kids who want their offspring to enjoy the benefits of aerosols, and middle-aged people and seniors, who want a chill vacation. And if you know something about Romania, well these categories don’t swim in money as the lifestyle that includes children and medicine is expensive. So, why these prices?
And the price problem doesn’t stop at the accommodation, it includes parking lots too! If the entry fees are around 10 euros for the salt mine per day, for the Ursu Lake is 10 euros/ per hour and if you search for the parking lot in Sovata, there I got mad: 10 euros per hour? Seriously?
I mean, don’t get me wrong, I found a cheaper, up-the-hill, 15-minute walk in the sun at over 30 degrees, in a full crowd at 3 euros per day, which was pretty great.
Otherwise, Sovata resort has beautiful buildings, but the fact that it was so crowded and expensive, made me say no thank you! I took a stroll around Ursu Lake, which is so unnatural, with metal fences all around obstructing the view.
In Praid on the other hand I was pleasantly surprised on the second night with the restaurant cause the food was a lot, tastefully, and at a normal price point. around 5-7 euros/ per person for a large meal and a drink.
I’m not writing this to give hate to this place, but people must understand that it can be a little overpriced if you plan on spending more days! It’s not fully a natural resort, it’s not fully a balnear resort, it’s not city life either, so to me it was a problem!
Do I think it’s worth a visit? Yes! Do I think it’s worth more than 2 days? Nope! You can visit everything worth seeing, take a bath in the salt pools, enjoy butterflies and stroll around, and then go!
For example, we left the house on Friday at 2 P.M, took a 5-hour drive including a stop at Jesus Hearth Statue, checked in, and went to eat. The next day we had breakfast, went to the salt mine, and came back for a lazy day at 2P.M. Sunday we went to the Butterfly House, Tupsy Turvy House, and headed to Sovata and had a stroll in the park. By 3 P.M. we were back and took a bath in the pool. On Monday we took our time and then went to visit Sighisoara.
Ok, not 2 but 3 days and 2 nights for sure are more than enough!
Anyway, at the end of the day, it’s up to you, up to each one’s preferences!
I’ll let you now digest it and see you soon!
Until next time, I hope you have #adreamerlife!
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