Pension Saranis - log cabin in Belis

Get away from Cisnădioara and heading towardsKurt's house in Vișagu, we decided to go to Belis and stay overnight at the Saranis Pension. We knew about this pension from Dorin Văideanu, who built it with his team fromDoralnic. She had told us how beautiful the area was and we wished we had more time to enjoy the fresh air and the beauty of the place. But with a busy schedule and a lot of travelling to do, it wasn't possible to stay longer. We only had evenings and nights to enjoy the quietness of the place and the warmth of this log cabin.

Meeting with Florin, the owner of the guesthouse

To get to the Saranis guesthouse we chose to take the nearest road from Cluj. It was not the best choice, being narrow, difficult and without many signs. When we arrived, we found out that the right way was the one from Huedin. Florin Adrian Rab, the owner of the guesthouse, was waiting for us, a local man, good at everything and always busy with a job. He is full of energy, he doesn't stand still for a moment, he does everything and would like all the inhabitants of the area to get more involved in the development of the community. He says that if such a beautiful area were better organised, people would come here like in Austria. Looking around we agree with him. The cottage is built on a plateau at an altitude of about 1200 m near Lake Fântânele-Beliș. It's surrounded by that mountain-top silence, broken every now and then by the bark of a dog or the squeak of a child. In the distance you can see houses scattered here and there on the mountain. Here, at Belis, there are more, but they are far enough apart that you don't feel their proximity. This is the only log house here, and it fits very well into the landscape. It would have been nice if there were more like it or at least square beam or timber clad houses.

The cottage in logs - a good place for a getaway with family or friends

As soon as we entered the cabin we felt the warmth of the wood and the peace of the place. It's a joy to sit and chat in the warm living room at the big log table with a pint of schnapps in front of you. We chatted with Florin until the evening when he was taken to work by a neighbour who had asked him to help build a cottage.

Florin built the cottage for tourists and rents it out to groups of friends or families. Most come from the nearby areas, Cluj, Huedin, Oradea. From the "kingdom" not many tourists come because of the long distance. But no complaints, there are customers and the cottage is rented permanently until after the holidays. Even last spring, in the pandemic conjuncture, it was not closed. There were many who wanted to escape the city. It really was a fluke that we found vacancy and were able to stay overnight. The next day another group was coming.

He is very excited about the house and the collaboration with Dorin Văideanu and his team. They got on well and now, when asked who did his house, he happily and confidently recommends him. There are a few other log homes in the area and he hears from the owners that it's not the best choice. That after the wood dries, you see out through the logs and the cold comes in. Here he is going on his third year and that hasn't happened to him. On the contrary, it's let up, it's seasoned better and the house is solid and sturdy now.

Florin's cottage has a basement, ground floor, first floor and attic. After meeting with Dorin and making a deal, Doralnic drew up the project according to his sketches. Florin built the basement and Doralnic built the wooden house above the basement. When the house was finished, he finished the wood both outside and inside. Then he made a gazebo and swings in the yard himself.

Pension Saranis is close to the Mărișel ski slope and Lake Fântânele

On the ground floor of the house is the living room, kitchen and a very glassed-in seating area like an enclosed terrace. The view over the area is over 180°. It's nice to sit on the armchair and look into the distance. It's a feeling of total rest when it feels like time stands still and you're buried in the armchair. From here, in winter, you can see the illuminated Marisel ski slope. And if the fir trees weren't so high, you could see Lake Fântânele. Now you can only see it from the ridge of the house. It is indeed a very beautiful area that we discovered with great pleasure, and the log cabin complements the landscape perfectly.

I could tell you a lot more about our short stop at Saranis, but I'll leave Florin to it. His ardelenescent language is irresistible.