In February 2010, when Sebi was 4 something years old and Edi 5 months old, we went to Sport Hotel in Poiana Brasov. I had heard that it was newly renovated, with a new spa center and I thought that if everything was new, it was the right place for Edi. I had a big problem with him. Right after his birth vaccine erupted right around the vaccine, he developed atopic dermatitis. I went with him from doctor to doctor, all neonatology freaks. No one had ever dealt with a case like this before, but without hesitation they all told me to give him cortisone cream.
I've always gone natural - as much as possible. If it had been dermatitis in any other area, I would have given it without hesitation with whatever the doctors prescribed. But none of them could tell me if a cortisone cream would have any side effects on the vaccine rash.
One very young doctor - from the kindergarten Sebi went to - advised me to give him only thermal water. To kiss him as often as I could. In spite of my husband's insistence, I sharpened her.
We had been dealing with this problem for several weeks, even months, we kept giving him thermal water - about 6 times a day and nothing happened. The dermatitis didn't get worse, but it didn't go away.
Sebi and my husband were on the party all day, so I kept walking Edi around Poiana Brasov. We'd go to his room when he was supposed to eat, we'd take the opportunity to kiss him with thermal water and we'd go back for a walk.
After 3 days the dermatitis began to visibly recede. By the 6th day, there was absolutely no trace of dermatitis around the vaccine.
When Diana Cotoros asked me to join the Press-Trip she organized in December in Poiana, I gladly accepted the invitation.
We stayed at Ana Hotels Bradul, also 4 stars like Ana Hotels Sport.
When I walked into Ana Hotels Bradul, I felt like I was in a fairy tale: beautifully decorated Christmas tree, lots of solid oak wood, large windows - as big as the wall - overlooking the snow-covered fir trees. The furnishings were red, velvety, matching the baubles on the tree.
There was only one receptionist, but as the rooms had already been allocated, everything went very quickly. I couldn't wait to see the room. I really liked the colors: yellow with green and again, lots of hardwood everywhere, hardwood floors and marble in the hallway and bathroom. A cheerful, youthful room - the kind you can't help but smile involuntarily when you walk in.
We were going to go to the restaurant immediately.
The restaurant is between Ana Hotels Sport and Ana Hotels Bradul. You walk along a very nice looking corridor - with lots of stone and plants, it was a pleasure to cross it
In the restaurant we met Chef Doru who prepared for us specifically Romanian dishes.
Even for breakfast they had a corner with a delicious eggplant salad, zacusca, cream cheese with dill and other delights.
From the restaurant we admired the snow falling on Poiana and the ski slopes. The view from the restaurant is superb.
I wrote about my experiences at Ana Aslan Health Spa here yes here, and about the spa rituals we did at Ana Spa Poiana Brasov - here.
On the ground floor are the reception with waiting area and 8 treatment rooms.
On the lower level are the spa facilities: swimming pool, fitness room, jacuzzi, wet sauna, dry sauna, ice fountain, relaxation area, and outside they have a terrace that in summer is furnished with sun loungers, tables and umbrellas.
Also very effective is the hot tub that you can use in all seasons. I admit that I'm too cold to even think about going in it in winter, but on the other hand I longed to be among those who enjoyed a warm bath surrounded by snow:
As soon as I entered the Spa I was greeted by the aroma of fresh mountain air, a combination of smells and aromas that take you to nature, clean air and that invites you to relax. There is a lot of space, it is airy, bright from the large windows, very high ceiling with wooden beams.
Throughout are natural materials: stone, wood, onyx, onyx, bizzatza, slate - in warm natural colors that blend perfectly into the mountain landscape. And if you look out the window, you're surrounded by the forest, which relaxes you even more.
As I told you in the article with the spa experience I had at Ana Spa Poiana BrasovThe 8 treatment rooms have a natural onyx wall which gives a warm air and helps to create a relaxing atmosphere.
Although it is a relaxation spa, all the therapists have medical training. There are physiotherapists who have specialized in wellness, beauty and relaxation therapies.
Mihaela, the spa manager, told me that they made this decision because they actually offer therapeutic massages - which require a physiotherapist, but also, more recently, a Post Covid recovery package. The package consists of: therapeutic massages, respiratory physiotherapy, seawater aerosols, outdoor walks, powerful ionization for the lung healing effect, increased respiratory capacity and relaxation.
At the time he was telling me about the package, I was really thinking about Edi's dermatitis - and how much the air alone helped. If you top up with the rest of the package, you'll definitely leave immunized.
On the spa menu you'll find relaxing treatments - both dry and with water, beauty treatments and ancient Ayurvedic therapies.
The most popular treatments, throughout the year are:
When massaging, I use a neutral natural oil to which I add essential oils - lavender, green tea, myrrh, rosemary, bitter orange, cinnamon, cinnamon, ylang-ylang, pine, eucalyptus, etc. - depending on the desired effect.
After therapies you are served with tea, water or lemonade.
You can also do in the summer: invigorating gymnastics, mindfulness, yoga, respiratory physiotherapy - in the mornings, on the terrace or on the green space near the terrace.
You can do respiratory physiotherapy indoors in winter. And they recently introduced Yoga Flow in the pool.
When you plan to drop by for a few hours of relaxation, don't forget to ask at the spa reception what wellness activities you can do that day.
As at Ana Aslan Health Spa at Ana Hotels Europa Eforie Nord, for spa treatments we work with Gerovital, Thalion, Medica 120.
so you can accumulate points for each stay - from accommodation, spa and restaurant, and you can use them later at Ana Hotels Europa in Eforie Nord, and in the restaurants and cafes at Crowne Plaza Bucharest in Bucharest, and, of course, at Ana Hotels Poiana Brasov. This way, you can link the sea and the mountains experience, practically whatever you choose, you enjoy the almost complete experience by Ana Hotels/ Ana Spa.
I missed the snow, so I thoroughly enjoyed the hike, even though it was quite cold, windy and foggy up there. Unfortunately we couldn't climb to the top of Postavaru (1799m) and admire the view. It's nice when it's sunny that you can see Brasov and Poiana Brasov, and on the other side the Ciucaș Mountains, the Bucegii and the Prahova Valley.
We learned from our guides from Ana Ski & Snowboard School that since 1427 the area was used for sheep herding. Then, in 1895, Poiana Brasov became a tourist area. The first construction here was in 1904, and from 1906 Poiana Brasov became a ski resort.
Postavaru Hut (1604m) is the oldest in Romania. It was built in 1883 by the members of the SKV - the Ardelene Carpathian Association - who still manage it today. At that time it was the only building in Poiana, until the area turned into a mountain resort.
Among the first clients of the lodge was the writer Mihail Sebastian who published a few years later the novel "The Accident", in which he described the lodge, the slopes, the atmosphere and even the name SKV.
Because I liked the story, I searched for more details about the history of the cottage and found a lot of interesting information on their website. If you are interested, you can read it here (https://cabanapostavaru.ro/en/cabana-postavaru-history/#pll_switcher )
Basically, through Ana Ski & Snowboard School, they joined the campaign "Skiing with Disabilities" initiated by the Association Club Sportiv Caiac Smile, which supports people with locomotor disabilities.
In March and April, on the slopes of Cavnic, dozens of people with locomotor disabilities were able to enjoy the unique sensation of skiing, thanks to a chair specially made for them.
And because the reactions of the participants have been extraordinary, they have proposed to continue to offer special moments to some wonderful people who want to ski and be on the slopes as much as we do, by purchasing a special chair and donating it to the Association of the Kayak Smile Sport Club.
They have other CSR campaigns, but I was impressed that they thought to offer such an experience for free to people who are not to blame for not being able to enjoy skiing like we do.
I was glad to know that a portion of what I pay Ana Hotels when I choose their hotels and spas, goes further to people who for one reason or another - whatever that may be - can't afford much.
Ioana Marian, founder of despreSpa.ro
Virtual Wellness Explorer
