This fall, Romania welcomes an intimate, upscale retreat to Șimon, a mountainous village just south of Brașov. MATCA — whose name means “queen of the bees” in Romanian — offers 16 thoughtfully appointed guestrooms and junior suites alongside 10 private villas, each with views of the Bucegi and Piatra Craiului mountain ranges. The hotel’s name reflects its ethos: an on-site apiary produces bee-derived wellness products used to support both the colony and guest wellbeing.
© Courtesy of MATCA
Accommodations combine comfort and contemporary elegance with touches of Transylvanian tradition woven into the décor. Guestrooms occupy two restored Transylvanian farmhouses, each centered around its own courtyard, while the villas provide private porches that frame sweeping mountain panoramas.
Dining at MATCA highlights local flavors and seasonal produce. STUP — meaning “hive” — is an indoor-outdoor restaurant with direct views of the Bucegi range, serving refined dishes paired with a curated selection of Romanian wines. NECTAR, the hotel bar, features a cocktail menu and regional beverages available from midday until nightfall; guests can enjoy drinks at the bar, in the cozy living room or across the hotel’s landscaped gardens.
© Courtesy of MATCA
Ambrozie Spa rounds out the guest experience with multiple treatment rooms that overlook the surrounding nature, offering massages and therapies designed to relax and rejuvenate after days spent exploring the mountains.
MATCA encourages guests to discover the region’s trails, forests and cultural sites. Once a reservation is confirmed, guests gain access to the hotel’s online concierge to arrange activities in advance. The on-site team also prepares bespoke itineraries and can coordinate guided hikes, biking excursions, local cultural visits or family-friendly outings.
© Courtesy of MATCA
Located approximately 23 miles from the recently opened Brașov–Ghimbav International Airport and about 100 miles from Bucharest’s Henri Coandă International Airport, MATCA is accessible for domestic and international travelers. Guests arriving by train can take an approximate 2.5-hour service from Bucharest to Brașov; the hotel arranges transfers from Brașov’s train station to the property for a seamless arrival.