We visited Poiana Brasov for 3 day familiarisation trip at the start of march 2020. A 3 hour flight with Blue Air will take you to Bucharest from Dublin and a further 2.5 to 3 hours transfer time will bring you to Poiana Brasov situated in the Carpathian Mountains. Many of you might have memories of the basic nature of skiing in both Romania and Bulgaria from school ski trips in the 80’s and 90’s if so it is definitely time to have another look. The ski area around Poiano Brasov was modernised in 2010 with ski area extended to 80 hectares and the length of the slopes increased to 23.9 km, with snow cannons also now installed to ensure a good surface.
We were guests at the 4* Ana Hotel Sport. The hotel is located at the base of the Bradul ski slope and featured a state-of-the-art sport and wellness spa centre which included a swimming pool, gym, sauna and large outdoor hot tub (all free).
The spa is excellent value for a 4 star hotel with a 25 minute deep tissue massage costing 110 lev about £22.00 or a hot stone massage lasting 1hr 15m costing 320 lev about £64.00.
The hotel is in an excellent location next door to the ski school and 50 metres from the ski lifts and 200 metres from the resort centre. If the conditions are good you can ski in and out of the hotel.
The food is good and varied with both breakfast and evening meal served buffet style in the modern hotel restaurant that has views over the nursey slopes.
The bedrooms are great, with small sofa, comfortable bed, new furniture and very clean. Try requesting a room with balcony at the front of the hotel for a good view.
Poiana Brasov has something for all the family. Facing the hotel is a large activity centre that include bowling, in door golf and rock climbing. Again, within 150 metres of the hotel, resort activities will include sledging, horse sleighs, bowling, snow-tubing and ice skating.
One of the evenings we took a taxi downhill to the local city of Brasov. As we learned Brasov is a medieval city. We wandered through the narrow cobblestone streets from its central square. The square houses a 13th century clock tower and “The Black Church” which is the largest gothic church in Eastern Europe.
We found streets lined with lively cafes, busy shops. As we made our way to Deane’s Irish Pub and grill (cousins I’m told of Deane’s in Belfast). This is an excellent bar/restaurant for a night out and was still busy at 2:00am Sunday morning. A taxi to Brasov is about £10.00 each way from Poiana Brasov.
I found Poiana Brasov to be a great value for money ski resort. Undoubtedly its more suited to beginners and intermediate. If you want to try skiing without paying the higher prices in France and Austria it’s a good choice. The cheap and lively night life is another added attraction.
The Ana Hotel Sport is a great value for money 4* Star Hotel right beside the ski lifts and nursey slopes; comparable hotels in Austria and France inclusive of a ski pack (ski, boots, lessons, lift pass) will easily cost you double the price.
If you have any questions, you can reach Richard on Tel. 028 66322 116 or email [email protected]
