Reclaimed wood, simplicity and good taste at Bolta Rece guesthouse in Sighetu Marmației

We visited the largest manufacturer of wooden chairs in Europe. No, we didn't leave the country, just to Sighetu Marmației, where Plimob is based. The company from Maramure is not only one of the world's biggest chair manufacturers, but also the largest supplier of such products to IKEA. But I'm not going to tell you about Plimob, which you can read about here, but about two places we discovered in Sighet: Bolta Rece, a guesthouse that surprised us and the restaurant Casa Iurca de Călinești, where we had a genuine Moorish evening.

La Bolta Rece, in Sighet, after a failed accommodation attempt in Vadu Izei

We arrived at the Bolta Rece guesthouse slightly disappointed. Wishing to discover traditional Maramureș, we looked for accommodation in Vadu Izei, the famous commune at the entrance to Sighetu Marmației from Baia Mare. We expected to see a lot of wood, traditional gates, carved symbols, but we found more stainless steel, PVC and plastic windows. In an attempt to offer a certain kind of comfort to their customers, they have increasingly abandoned local specificities and adopted new solutions to the city. So, after several failed attempts, we decided to settle in Sighet.

We discovered the Bolta Rece guesthouse on an online booking platform. We were attracted by the minimalist, neutral décor with lots of wood, and the distance of only 5 minutes from the Plimob headquarters was decisive. Although from the outside the building doesn't say much, on the inside the design elements hint at the Brâncoven style. Most of the rooms are upstairs, with the entrance from the shared porch with wooden beams on the ceiling. Double glazed doors are the only source of natural light in the room. This avoids windows overlooking the busy street, providing a tranquillity that you can't sense from outside. Privacy is provided by an ingenious blind that lets you adjust the amount of light.

The inner courtyard is divided in two, one side with flagstones and the other with lawn. The opening is on the opposite side of the street from the houses, so you can hear the roosters crowing in the morning. There's a designated place for smoking, a swing and a pallet construction that, with cushions, transforms into a large, comfortable outdoor sofa. On the grass are sun loungers and a small children's play area.

Reclaimed wood, simplicity and good taste

But the surprise came when we entered the rooms. Wood is recoveredThe dark walnut color contrasts perfectly with the white walls. Each room has a very generous queen-size bed and two bedside tables, which double as bedside tables. The bed headboard is also made from reclaimed wood, with switches and sockets built in on either side. The design is minimalistThe airy, airy room looks even bigger than it really is. However, on a large wooden cupboard sits a TV, and a minibar is built inside. A simple solid wooden table with two chairs, a coat hook and a large wooden-framed mirror complete the room's not-so-large space in terms of functionality and design.

The bathroom is large and bright, with the shower separated from the rest of the room with a glass panel. The tiles and earthenware are in dark colors to match the wood. The rustic industrial elements introduced by two chains that appear to support the sink's wooden countertop blend in perfectly. The same minimalist wood, white walls, simple but with everything you need.

On the ground floor, where the reception is, there is a living room in the same contemporary style with rustic elements. The furniture arrangement divides the living room into two, one a dining area dominated by a large table with a reclaimed wood top, the other a seating area with a fireplace as the centerpiece. The light fixtures, fastened to the ceiling with thick chains, are beams on which are coiled the cords of light bulbs that hang above the table and seating area. Beams in the ceiling, arched wooden doors, a large mirror with a wide wooden frame and large black-and-white picture boards with black-and-white photos of old Sighet complete the picture.

A Moorish evening at Iurca House in Călinești

For the time being, there is no breakfast and no restaurant at Bolta Rece. However, I understood from the owner that the guesthouse has only been in use for a year, and there is also a restaurant in the project, so the refurbishment is continuing. As we had to eat that evening, we asked for his opinion and the recommendation was Casa Iurca de Călinești, a traditional restaurant within walking distance.

From the entrance you know that the restaurant is traditional because it is decorated with many specific elements. Lots of wood, high-backed wooden chairs, sturdy tables, Maramureș doors hinted at the entrance to the restaurant and the lounges, clay pots and wall hangings. The garden is beautifully landscaped among the trees, but the cold weather didn't let us enjoy the tall fir trees and lights. I understand that there is also a guesthouse with local specialties in the back. We will test it out next time.

If you've come to Maramureș to go on a slimming diet or to eat dietetically, you're wrong. There's lots of good stuff here and I think they put cream in their tea. At Casa Iurca (and not only with them) the portions are very generous and my recommendation is to order the dishes gradually as you don't know if you'll be able to eat them. The service was fast, the food good and the price decent.

The two local artists, Petru Botis and Ioan Godja, who play in the restaurant and who delighted us with their Moorish rhythms, were also a great pleasure. Several days had already passed and I was still humming Maramureș, the land of flowers, proud you are in the holidays.

We loved both places and the hosts really made us feel at home. If you're ever there, share your experience with us. Or tell us about other places in Maramureș that impressed you in a nice way.