Pension Saranis - log cabin in Belis

Get away from Cisnădioara and heading towards Kurt's house in Vishagu, we decided to go to Belis and stay overnight at the Saranis Pension. I knew about this pension from Dorin Văideanu, who built it together with his team from Doralnic. She had told us how beautiful the area is and we wished we had more time to enjoy the fresh air and the beauty of the place. But with a busy schedule and lots of traveling to do, it was not possible to stay longer. We only had evenings and nights to enjoy the tranquility of the place and the warmth of this log cabin.

Meeting Florin, the owner of the guesthouse

To get to 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 road was the one from Huedin. Florin Adrian Rab, the owner of the guesthouse, was waiting for us. He is full of energy, never stands still for a moment, does everything and would like all the inhabitants of the area to get more involved in the development of the community. He says that such a beautiful area, if it were better organized, people would come like in Austria. Looking around we agree. The cottage is built on a plateau at about 1200 meters above sea level near Lake Fântânele-Belis. It's surrounded by the silence of a mountain peak, broken from time to time by the barking of a dog or a child's barking. In the distance you can see houses scattered here and there on the mountain. Here, in Beliș, there are several, but so far apart that you can't feel their proximity. This is the only log house here, and it fits in very well. It would have been nice if there were more like it, or at least houses made of square beams or wood clad.

The log cabin - a good place for a getaway with family or friends

As soon as we entered the cottage 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 peach in front of you. We chatted with Florin until the evening when a neighbor who had asked him to help him make a little house took him to work.

Florin built the cottage for tourists and rents it out entirely to groups of friends or families. Most come from nearby Cluj, Huedin and Oradea. Tourists don't come from the "kingdom" because of the long distance. But no complaints, there are customers and the cottage is permanently rented until after the holidays. Even last spring, during the pandemic, it wasn't closed. There were many who wanted to escape the city. It was really by chance that we found it free and could stay overnight. The next day another group was coming.

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

Florin's cabin has a basement, ground floor, first floor and attic. After he met Dorin and they had a high five, Doralnic designed the project according to his sketches. Florin built the basement and Doralnic built the wooden house over the basement. When the house was finished, he finished the wood both inside and outside. Then he made a gazebo and swings in the courtyard.

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

On the ground floor of the house is the living room, the kitchen and a very glazed seating area like an enclosed terrace. Visibility 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 time seems to stand still and you sink into the armchair. From here, in winter, you can see the Mărișel ski slope lit up. And if the trees weren't so tall, you could see Lake Fântânele. Now you can only see it from the ridge. It really is a very beautiful area that I really enjoyed discovering, and the log cabin complements the landscape perfectly.

I could tell you much more about our brief stop in Saranis, but I'll leave Florin. His Transylvanian accent is irresistible.