Teleferic Grand Hotel

The cafe doesn't open until 10, which is awkward, a bunch of guests just stand around waiting. It makes no sense to not open at a normal time. Furthermore, they don't allow ordering food until after 11. Staff is very kind and helpful.

The hotel is perfectly located for skiers, right in front of the ski slopes and that alone, having considered the hassle required to travel by car to ski slopes anywhere around Prahova Valley is a very big plus. And the hotel itself really is beautiful, especially if you are lucky enough, (like we were), to have snow contribute to the fairytale-like scenery. The room was good, not memorable, small, but good enough. Breakfast was also great, not a single thing I could complain about. The spa area would also have been great if basic common sense rules and hotel rules would have been followed. Unfortunately, this was not the case. There are posters everywhere stating that children are not allowed in the sauna area. However, many of the guests could not be bothered to read and/or follow a simple rule. The sauna area is beautiful, but quite small and the children opening and closing the sauna's door every two minutes ruined the entire experience. Same goes for the relaxation area which was so loud and crowded that you almost felt like using earplugs. The two jacuzzis outside were amazing, sadly, although another poster clearly stated that they were to be used for no longer than 20 minutes, they were simply untouchable because people where using it as a bar where they drank their bottles of champagne or simply hogging it for one hour or more. Of course you could have the spa for yourself at 1 pm, if you were willing to give up skiing, but it was a nightmare every single day after 3 pm. We did complain several times at the reception and at the spa, but we got the same disrespectful answer "we cannot do anything about it". The reception staff was quite stiff and of no help whatsoever, the staff in the buffet area was a pleasure to deal with, on the other hand. They were attentive and helpful, the management is to be congratulated on this matter. We have stayed there last year, late March, and found a somewhat decent price at the time. We have thought about returning this year, but the prices have gone over the roof. We are well traveled and I can honestly say I have never seen such a hudge gap between the asking price and the services provided. Not in Romania, nor anywhere else. However, I would still consider returning here if and when the price would not be simply insulting and if and when the spa area would ever become a more relaxing and civilized one, rather than the complete mayhem that it was when we last visited.