With Romania’s borders open to fully vaccinated travelers, this September will see the launch of the Bethlen Estates’ second guest house, the two-bedroom Depner House, and culinary hub, the Kitchen Barn.
Situated in the wilds of Transylvania, Bethlen Estates is a multigenerational restoration project that began with the late Count Miklós Bethlen. It is now led by mother and son, Gladys and Nikolaus Bethlen, who are restoring ancient ruins in their ancestral village of Criș into stylish hideaways targeted at upscale travelers.
Surrounded by forest, wildflower-filled meadows and ancient castles, Depner House is a two-bedroom cottage built over 300 years ago as a base for the Depner family. The restoration retains the original architectural and heritage features on the exterior. The interiors have been “opened up” to create a more relaxed feel while retaining the building’s original charm with exposed beams, traditional ironmongery and a central cast-iron staircase.
Two double bedrooms offer light and calming interiors, with natural printed fabrics, traditional linens and handmade furniture, from wooden beds to brass and iron lamps; while en-suite bathrooms include tumbled limestone floors and locally crafted cas-iron vanity units. Depner House’s adjoining barn has been updated as well, complete with sofas, an open fire and a collection of books.
The opening of Depner House takes the capacity of the estate up to 12 alongside the four-bedroom Caretaker’s House, which will also unveil its private swimming pool in September.
Just a stone’s throw away is the Kitchen Barn, where head chef Robert Tordai will serve daily changing menus of Transylvanian fare. With wood-paneled walls, upholstered armchairs and a large central fireplace, guests can opt for cozy indoor dining, or pick sun-dappled terraces for al fresco feasting. Menus highlight fresh, seasonal produce and all ingredients are sourced from within 15 miles of the estate: organic fruit and vegetables come from the Bethlen family’s orchards and farmland, whilst everything from meat and cheese to jam, honey and ice cream is supplied by local farmers and producers.
Nice Touch: Torch-lit wine tastings can be arranged in the ancient wine cellars at the Count János Bethlen Manor House, while gourmet picnics can be arranged for those wanting to spend time exploring the surrounding countryside. Other activities on offer include: guided hikes, cycle rides, bird-watching and bear spotting, horseback rides, winery visits and historical tours of the many nearby UNESCO-protected sites.
The family has now set sights on other preservation projects in Criș: The four-bedroom Corner Barn will open in early 2022, available to rent by the room, and for the longer term, the old School House will add five more bedrooms, a bar and second restaurant to the estate.
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