Nature, Tradition & Privacy

The former Prince of Wales's, King Charles's private nature retreat lies nestled amongst the meadows and hills of Zalán Valley (Zalánpatak, Valea Zălanului) in Transylvania, Romania. The property has kept its Transylvanian authenticity by having been carefully restored with traditional methods and materials. It is now open to accommodate and entertain individual travellers from around the world.

Our Philosophy & Heritage

Our philosophy of restoring heritage architecture is characterised by utmost respect for the textures and atmospheres of ancient buildings. All the rooms have been lovingly restored and furnished with authentic antiques and textiles from Transylvania. The way we restore derelict houses is barely noticeable, rather would it seem that the buildings have aged gently and gradually without recent intervention. The property is not to be seen as a 'shabby chic' styled holiday resort, it is genuine in its harmony and guests feel like staying in a centuries-old private home.

  • Drawing room in the old stables, Zalan, Transylvania. Photo: Bonciocat.
  • Prince Charles Cottage, Zalan, Transylvania. Photo: Ruppert Wolfe-Murray.
  • Prince Charles property in Transylvania. Photo: Bonciocat.

The Rooms

The guest rooms are furnished exclusively with antique Transylvanian furniture, including most of the textiles. In order to create an atmosphere of peace and tranquillity there is no television or radio; instead, you will find plenty of interesting books on the shelves. Each room has an electric kettle, with tea provided.

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Services

Our guests are looked after by discreet local staff who cater to all their needs. Transfers, guided activities and meals are all available. Guests are welcomed on arrival with our local Transylvanian brandy and pastries before being shown to their rooms. There is neither TV nor radio, but the drawing room has a small HiFi player with cds. There are plenty of books including nature guides, and you can also borrow binoculars and a scope to watch wildlife from around the house. Laundering is available for a small charge. Meeting like-minded travellers from all around the world is one of the special features of this place. Meals are mostly taken along with other guests, unless desired separately. The rooms are equipped with kettles for making your own tea and bottled mineral water is provided. We offer local produce and crafts to buy at the little shop in the guesthouse office. There are only two small shops in the village and no restaurant. The nearest town is 20km away (Barót, Baraolt).

  • Zalan guesthouse team with The Prince of Wales and Count Kalnoky
  • Transylvanian lunch at Zalan, Romania. Photo: Kalnoky.
  • Drawing room in the old stables, Zalan, Transylvania
  • Welcome brandy & cake at Prince Charles guesthouse, Zalan, Transylvania. Photo: Kalnoky.
  • Books at Prince of Wales guesthouse, Transylvania. Photo: Kalnoky.
  • Binoculars and scope at Zalan guesthouse, Transylvania. Photo: Kalnoky.
  • Tea and coffee in the guestroom, zalan, Transylvania. Photo: Kalnoky.
  • Mountain bikes to hire at Zalan, Transylvania. Photo: Kalnoky.
  • Crafts shop at prince charles guesthouse, Transylvania. Photo: Kalnoky.

Activities

On each day of the week, we offer one activity for our 'All Inclusive' guests. In addition, horse riding is available at our nearby stables (transfer by car). In the warm season (May–September) 'al fresco' dinners in the surrounding hills are offered. Or simply relax in the wood-fired salty hot-tub and our deck-chairs in one of the most harmonious surroundings in the hills of Transylvania. Enjoy a refreshing dip in the mineral water pool during summer heat. In winter we also offer horse-drawn sleigh rides with bells, blankets and mulled wine.

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  • Prince Charles and Count Kalnoky hiking on ancient wood pasture grounds, Transylvania
  • Bear sighting near Zalan, Transylvania. Photo: count Kalnoky.
  • Prince Charles Cottage winter, Zalan, Transylvania. Photo: count Kalnoky.

Food & Drinks

Meals are taken together as 'table d'hôte' unless otherwise requested. Food is prepared on site by local staff, mostly from local ingredients as available. Menus are set for every day of the week and no choice 'à la carte' is possible. They reflect the customary cooking of the different Transylvanian ethnicities (Romanian, Hungarian, Saxon). Special requests and dietary requirements must be specified in advance. During the day, picnics and barbecues will be served on the walks and rides. We prepare local brandy, 'Székely Köményes' in our kitchen as a welcome drink for the guests. A small choice of alchollic and non-achoolic bevarages are also available. In the warm season (May–September) 'al fresco ' dinners in the surrounding hills are offered at extra cost.

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Prices

We strive to offer affordable, yet financially sustainable holidays in this authentic Transylvanian environment.

The 'All Inclusive' price per person sharing a double or twin room includes a welcome drink and dinner (excl. drinks) at arrival, full board (excl. drinks), tours and activities during the day, entrance fees, transport and taxes, as well as breakfast at departure. Price: 166-176,- Eur/person/night,  single supplement 20 - Eur/person/night. 

Please check the prices for rooms alone by clicking on the button below ‘view our prices’. Full continental breakfast 7,- Eur. Lunch (3 courses) 17,- Eur, dinner (3 courses) 24,- Eur. Both lunch and dinner excl. drinks. Day-activities according to schedule 87,- Eur / person incl. transport, guide, lunch and entrance fees, excl. beverages.

Transfers to / from the guesthouses at arrival / departure have to be paid separately, as well as drinks and a few extra options like riding. Please follow the link to choose your room and book online. Your booking can only be confirmed once the deposit has been paid online via a separate email that will be sent to you. If you encounter difficulties booking online, please contact us directly.

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Surroundings

  • Red squirrel pilfering a walnut from Prince Charles Cottage, Zalan, Transylvania. Photo: count Kalnoky.
  • Bringing in the hay, Zalan, Transylvania
  • flower meadow Zalan valley, Transylvania. Photo: Catherine Karnow.
  • Endemic Transylvanian Blue Eyes, hepatica transsylvanica, Zalan. Photo: count Kalnoky.
  • Storks on haystacks, Transylvania. Photo: count Kalnoky.
  • Royal scything contest 2015, Zalan, Transylvania. Photo: Arnold Musat.
  • Nuthatch with hazel nut, Zalan, Transylvania
  • Zalan, Transylvania. Photo: count Kalnoky.
  • Zalan property winter, Transylvania. Photo: Count Kalnoky.
  • Endemic cardamine glanduligera, Zalan, Transylvania. Photo: count Kalnoky.

Zalán Valley nestles among the rolling foothills of the Carpathian Mountains in Transylvania, Romania. Its cultural landscape can be said to be unique in Europe, still reflecting the harmonious interaction between man and nature. Small brooks trickle through the valley and cross the property. Some of the most beautiful and biodiversically rich wild flower meadows are located in the direct vicinity of the guesthouses. The landscape is ideal for painting and for photography.

The tiny hamlet of Zalán Valley (Zalánpatak in Hungarian, Valea Zălanului in Romanian) was first documented in the 16th century as belonging to Bálint (Valentin) Kálnoky of Kőröspatak, one of the Transylvanian ancestors of the former Prince of Wales, King Charles. The family had originally founded a glass factory in this part of the hills, which has since ceased to exist. Today, around 120 inhabitants live in the village. The former Prince of Wales, King Charles owns the property that had been built for the former ‘judge’ who was overseeing the glassworks and the village. It is composed of several buildings, and has a patch of forest and extensive flower meadows, with mineral springs and small brooks belonging to it. The property is characterised by its rich biodiversity of plants, insects, birds, mushrooms and large mammals including bears (sometimes crossing the back yard). One of Europe's rarest and most spectacular orchids, the Lady Slipper (Cypripedium calceolus), of which only one single wild specimen has survived in Britain up to date, is blossoming in the valley's forests in May and June. 

The nearest villages are 6km away along a gravel track, and the next town 20km.

Viscri Traditional Crafts Centre

The former Prince of Wales, King Charles's property in Viscri (Deutschweißkirch, Szászfehéregyháza) has been converted into a training centre for traditional crafts and rural skills, to help secure a livelihood in Romania's villages. 

Count Kalnoky's Transylvanicum

Manufacture & design of fine Transylvanian crafts & textiles.

Items on display at the guesthouses and on Transylvanicum’s Facebook page

Special offers

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Location Address

The Prince of Wales's Guesthouse
527119 Valea Zălanului, house no. 1
Jud. Covasna, Romania
GPS: 46.010, 25.763

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For availability and reservations please enquire at e-mail

Enquiries by e-mail will be answered within 48 hours.

For last minute bookings please call: +40 742 20 25 86
For arrivals: +40 756 06 60 61 or +40 374 94 31 11

If you have any questions please call our office from Monday to Friday, between 08:00 am–16:00 pm (Romanian time).

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The Prince of Wales hopes that his guesthouse will encourage more people to visit Transylvania and in this way promote sustainable development. Proceeds from the guesthouse go to The Prince of Wales Foundation in Romania, member of The Prince's Charities.