This fall Romania welcomes an intimate and upscale hotel to Șimon, a mountainous region situated just south of Brașov. MATCA, meaning “queen of the bees” in Romanian, features 16 exclusive guestrooms and junior suites as well as 10 private villas, all overlooking the Bucegi and Piatra Craiului mountains. The hotel’s name ties directly to its philosophy and efforts to incorporate health-benefiting products manufactured by the on-site bee colony to benefit both the bees and guests.

© Courtesy of MATCA

Accommodations pair comfort and modern elegance, integrating elements of Transylvanian culture into the smallest of details. Guestrooms can be found in two traditional Transylvanian farmhouses, each with an inner courtyard. Villas boast unparalleled views of the mountains from private porches.

On-site dining venues include STUP, meaning “hive,” an indoor/outdoor space granting views of the Bucegi Mountains accompanied by high-quality dishes and a wide selection of Romanian wines. The hotel’s bar, NECTAR, offers an extensive list of cocktails and local beverages available from noon to dark. Drinks can be enjoyed at the bar, in the living room or in one of the hotel’s spacious gardens.

© Courtesy of MATCA

Relaxing at this hotel isn’t complete without a spa treatment, and Ambrozie Spa provides guests with several treatment rooms, all with beautiful nature views.

MATCA encourages guests to explore the surrounding landscape during their stay. Once guests book a stay, they have access to the hotel’s online concierge to schedule any activity ahead of time. The hotel staff are also ready to assist with activities and bespoke itineraries.

© Courtesy of MATCA

MATCA is located 23 miles from the newly opened Brașov-Ghimbav International Airport and 100 miles from Bucharest Henri Coanda International Airport in the country’s capital. The hotel is also reachable by train; an easy, 2.5-hour train from Bucharest takes guests into Brașov, and the hotel can organize a transfer from Brașov train station to the hotel.