I experienced just the kind of result I never expected when I left home: coming back from a relaxing weekend away with a straighter back than I've ever had. And no, I was no rehab clinic, just a spa with nature and skilled people.
I decided to wait for 2 weeks before writing about it, to see if the "miracle" holds even after long days with my nose in my laptop. And what do you see? Yes, it still does.
We only went for one night to Castelnor. The boys could have stayed even longer, but it was impossible for me to leave my desk. I wouldn't have gone at all, but I was in that state where I felt my batteries running low and my body had been signaling for a while that it needed a break. And rather than not at all, less is better.
So on Sunday morning around 8:00 we left for Castelnor where I had never been before.
When we arrived in the parking lot, we realized that we were in a secluded, I can even say isolated, place in the middle of nature.
I hear from behind the car: "I'm sure we'll have net here?"
I get out of the car, inhale a deep breath of fresh air, take a moment to look at the white castle, flamboyant and with its roof in many waters, as we orient where the entrance might be.
We walked into the hotel lobby, which looks like a castle decorated in bourgeois style, with a fireplace, lots of wood and an inspiring library. On the way to reception you're greeted by two tables with apples fresh from the orchard, water and various Nespresso coffees, which I thought was a great idea to recharge after the journey.
As soon as I walked in, I noticed how elegant they are and all the details that make your stay comfortable: the complementary waters offered, the Nespresso machine and the selection of coffees on offer.
Our rooms overlooked a great view, facing the valley and the village below and overlooking the outdoor pool. We also visited other rooms that had different orientations, but from each one you could see a little corner of the mountain, of nature in which you could say the resort is immersed.
But I didn't linger, because the schedule was already tight - in 24 hours I wanted to discover as much as I could of the Castelnor experiences: we had a massage appointment at 4 pm, followed by 2 spa rituals: a master sauna program and a Tibetan bowl chanting.
We started with lunch with Cornel Posea, the Castelnor manager, or as he says, the man who runs the place. The stories at the table went in many directions.
After a shot of turmeric and ginger and an amuse bouche, he explained how they came up with the menu and why it includes spa dishes, vegetarian and local, mountain dishes.
Right from the start Cornel told us that he wants Castelnor to have a strong connection with the surrounding nature, the local terroir, the local producers and all the elements that define the area.
They try to give their guests a real culinary experience that's based on mountaintop ingredients - which they source locally - and with herbs and plants from their backyard and the surrounding area. It also contains elements found in the highlands of Europe. They have recommendations such as "taste of mountain" or for the Spa - respectively associated with different Spa therapies.
Once here, to feel that every element you encounter has a connection with the area, but at the same time, to find the same elements in various other forms in the resort activities.
Yes, yes, you read that correctly, they also have cranberry jam made in Castelnor's own kitchen, as well as cranberry soup. Even for those who have no interest in food whatsoever, it all sounds novel and I can assure you that everything I tasted was delicious.
The portions are generous, but more than that - they're complex - they're made up of diverse elements, so that on your plate you'll find a multitude of tastes to take you on a mountain and local journey through your taste buds.
That's when I realized that at Castelnor, everything revolves around the forest and nature, which are not just decoration but a natural extension of the place. From the moment you step out of the car, everything continues harmoniously: the hotel, restaurant and spa are built with natural materials, exude discreet luxury and invite you to slow down.
It's not just an experience for those coming to relax. Cornel told us that corporate clients, who come for teambuilding, go through the same immersion: breaks with mini Spa treatments, teas and smoothies with ingredients straight from nature, healthy menus, all created in this spirit
Each staff member knows how to guide you naturally to the next step: what to taste, which trails to try in the surroundings, which therapies to choose at the Spa. Everything naturally ties together into a complete experience.
After lunch, we had a more extensive tour of the resort and got a better understanding of the motto "Passport to Comfort" - a combination of comfort, elegance and relaxation that envelops you at every turn.
Our tour of the resort ended in an area that's hidden yet visible from every angle, a modern and stylish lounge that gives you a relaxing ambience but at the same time a place where you can either work remotely or play a boardgame with friends.
Here we had another moment of respite where we indulged in a lemonade with elderberry syrup - homemade. It is also made according to homemade principles, the elderberries are picked from the forest and made into syrup according to a local recipe.
And Edi was so delighted that when we left, they gave us elderflower syrup to take home as well, and for special events they had small gifts with local dishes, samples of spa products or small wool artworks made by an artist from Sibiu.
At 15:30 I left to get ready for my massage and at 15:50 I arrived at the Spa reception.
Paula who is the Spa manager at Castelnor by Alpienne, together with Catalin one of the therapists of the team, were waiting for me.
I had known them since 2023, at the Spa Romania Conference we organized at SunGarden. At that time I had just sprained my ankle and I had talked a lot with Cătălin about it.
Later on, one of our mentoring programs came and we got to know each other quite well.
Paula gave me a history and we filled out the health form together. Laughing, she told me that this was exactly what Catalin expected me to tick off on the chart. She understood some aspects perfectly, which gave me an extra dose of confidence.
I had been scheduled for a few days. And I had chosen it precisely because I was feeling a little ankylosed. From the description, it sounded like a Thai massage, which sounded just what I needed.
In addition, I knew that both Paula and Cătălin had attended the Thai Massage School with Elena Nastacă, which strengthened my conviction that this therapy was similar to Thai.
It started with a quick assessment in the mirror. My left foot was in front of my right. And way forward, about half a sole. Unintentionally, I had simply stopped. It was the first sign he showed me.
Then, one by one, he went through everything else: the shoulders - one higher, one lower and brought more forward than the other - the position of the hips and many other imbalances that he noticed at a glance.
He asked me if we could go into more detail about my way of being, how I react in certain situations.
I'm long past the age where I care what other people think of me, so I was as open as I could be. While we were discussing these matters I lay down on the bed and the treatment began. He tried to close my toes, but couldn't because his body wouldn't let him.
There followed a series of stretching movements, acupressure and an abdominal massage very different from Chi Nei Tsang. During which time he also coordinated my breathing, and every now and then, asked me a question.
I like deep massage, so those acupressure parts were very well received by my body. I knew that therapists can feel when something hurts, but until Catalin, I didn't realize to what extent they could feel it.
I don't know when time flew and at some point, he returned to my soles. And to my utter surprise, this time, my toes came together perfectly. Without feeling any pain in either ankle. But even now, weeks later, I can still bring them together just as easily and naturally.
After that, we went back to the mirror.
I was much straighter, visibly straighter and my shoulders were definitely the same height.
My eyes were glued to the mirror and I couldn't believe the effect of the therapy.
OK, I get it, hips, shoulders, ankles... but the hump... it was like this, like a super-gift that I never dreamed I could receive.
Catalin said it was up to me to keep it. If I continue to sleep on the high pillow - which, because of my bronchial asthma, unfortunately, I won't be able to give up - if I don't change my position at the desk, my body will gradually return to how it was initially.
Obviously, he also needs the know-how. Cătălin has a degree in physiotherapy, but he also did many other courses in parallel, such as Thai Royal massage with Elena Nastacă. In addition, he is passionate about many related fields. His knowledge and involvement can be felt when you are willing to be open, ask him questions and listen to his advice.
I found out that many clients regularly return to Castelnor for therapies with Cătălin. And I immediately understood why. Because he is a committed therapist who really believes in the beneficial effects of the therapies he practices and treats each guest as a new challenge, with the same empathy and enthusiasm in bringing a sense of well-being to each client.
He suggested me to come back to Castelnor to do the therapy again, if I notice changes like the ones I noticed in the anamnesis and the first discussion.
I've already started making changes - as soon as we got back home, the first thing was to reorganize the office - but I'm pretty sure I need more of these sessions, and next time I'll bring Sebi along. Because of the phone, he's sitting in a very stooped position, even though he's only 20.
After the massage I drank a glass of spa water - with lemon - that I had drunk at the beginning of the treatment and lay down for 2 minutes in the relaxation area.
Then followed two more Spa moments: a Sauna Master session - with its two components, one in the wet sauna and one in the Finnish sauna - and a Tibetan bowl concert. Both were a unique experience, with a personalized resort ritual, through which we felt the local and mountain elements here too.
We started with a shower and went into wet saunawhere Catalin brought me a bowl full of salt for exfoliation.
I use BAZNA salt, which also helps to eliminate toxins from the skin and body. It is anti-inflammatory and soothing, and helps with conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, acne or dermatitis. Bazna salt revitalizes the skin, strengthens the natural barrier and supports cell regeneration.
It's kind of like an Aufguss moment, but very different. The Bulgarians are ice and he puts all 3 at once, but pours more water over the stones. My surprise, however, was the honey.
A local honey, with lavender, but I don't know how it was made because it wasn't sticky at all. He told me to rub my wrists and massage gently.
As I massaged myself with honey, I became slightly more aware: of the oh-so-very-fresh smell from the sauna, from the 3 rose rose balls, and my eyes remained focused on the garden. The sauna has a whole window made only of glass, from which you can see directly into the garden. Gorgeous.
Suddenly I heard Catalin say it was over, and that we were going outside for the Tibetan bowl concert.
Paula had also brought tea and herbal ice cubes to cool down after the sauna - which helps to invigorate and brings many benefits I've written about in other articles.
I was curious how they make them. I make an infusion - tea, made from fir buds, essential oils, cranberry twigs for vit C, peppermint for a cooling sensation, berries for antioxidants and chamomile which is calming.
The flowers and plants used in the ice cubes are: dandelion, three spotted friars, fir buds, St. John's wort, thyme. They freeze them in cube molds.
But even more than just throwing ice cubes as they exit the sauna, in winter they invite participants to sit on snow chairs.
I love the heat, and just the thought of hitting the ice cubes or sitting on a snow chair and already I was feeling cold. I negotiated with them, took a (hot) shower and got in the pool - instead of the proposed cool down:
The Tibetan bowl concert was next. But in the courtyard, where they would have wanted to hold it, I couldn't say it was warm enough for me. I appreciated that they understood that I couldn't relax outside and held the concert in the Spa lounge area.
The concert was just that drop of total relaxation. I'm pretty sure I even fell asleep. It's been a long time since I had allotted so many hours just to relax, from one activity to another, and apparently my body took full advantage.
They have a wide variety of programs and activities - designed by Cornel and his team. As well as being attractive, some of them are free.
From pilates classes, meditation, morning move it, morning move it, kineto waves, guided hikes where they also do picnics and bike rides, all accompanied by therapists. All these activities are equally linked to Castelnor's philosophy and close ties with nature.
In addition, because the resort offers exclusivity, all activities are dedicated only to the guests staying here, which increases both privacy and relaxation.
The spaces are thus built so that each guest can find a place that suits his or her moment and energy of the day. I can say that at Castelnor you will find relaxation, privacy and as they say there: tranquility.
We got to the room after 7:30 and then went to dinner. Again, the meal turned out to be an experience in itself. I got an amuse bouche this time as well, and I was happy to see that I had managed to nab a more appropriate portion that was my size. I certainly could have eaten double the amount of deliciousness of the net nettles and horseradish quiche, but I made the perfect choice.
In the evening I went to bed early, I fell asleep as soon as I put my head on the pillow. That rarely happens to me in a hotel, although very good beds are in many resorts.
I like to leave the curtains open enough that I can see whether or not it's light when I open my eyes.
The next day I woke up, and I think I would have instantly gone back to the other side if I hadn't caught a glimpse of a bright pinkish-red glow through half-closed eyes.
I made a big effort to open them completely and when I realized what it was, I couldn't believe it.
After a cup of hot water, I made myself a cup of coffee and enjoyed it on the balcony. By the time I made my coffee, the sun had already risen, but who cares, it was a beautiful moment anyway.
I enjoyed the colors, the morning chill that woke me up, but also a concert generously offered by the swallows that were also starting their day.
At Castelnor, breakfast starts at 8:30 am so that you can relax and wake up in the resort's typical resort-style quiet.
From 10 o'clock I had an appointment at Paula's Pure Indulgence Facial and a Shiroabhyanga, pentru că mă gândisem că nu pot pleca fără să încerc și produsele Alpienne, având în vedere că Tantsu fusese fără uleiuri sau creme.
Când au ales produsele Alpienne pentru Spa, au pornit de la ideea că în această zonă montană se găsesc o mulțime de ierburi și plante cu proprietăți vindecătoare precum arnica, gălbenelele, floare de soc, fruct de soc, mesteacăn, măceș, sunătoarea și altele.
Iar produsele Alpienne se folosesc întocmai de efectele curative ale acestor plante și au la bază doar ingrediente naturale pure, fără urmă de conservanți chimici.
Plantele pe baza cărora se fac produsele Alpienne sunt culese tot de înălțimi de aprox. 1200 – 1400 m – exact cum este localizat și Castelnor. Iar faptul că atât de multe plante se regăsesc atât în Carpați, cât și în Alpi, i-a determinat să lucreze cu ele în Spa, și mai mult, să aibă și exclusivitate în România pentru produsele Alpienne.
Recunosc că am avut ceva emoții, cum am la fiecare tratament facial nou pe care-l fac, din cauza rozaceei. Reușesc cu greu s-o țin sub control, dar e suficient să aplic pe față o cremă sau un ser care nu e recomandat, că luni în șir mă chinui apoi s-o readuc la o fază acceptabilă.
Am întrebat-o pe Paula dacă au produse recomandate pentru rozacee și mi-a răspuns că au pentru ten foarte sensibil.
Am mers pe acea variantă și foarte bine am făcut. Nu doar că nu mi s-a accentuat deloc roșeața, dar mai mult, mi s-a părut chiar că sunt chiar mai bine decât eram înainte.
Cu toate că-mi făcuse și un masaj facial foarte relaxant – dar orice masaj îmi generează roșeață, folosise prosoape cu apă caldă ca să înlăture demachiantul – și apa caldă e contra-indicată la rozacee – totuși am ieșit din tratament fără pic de roșeață.
Imediat după tratamentul facial a urmat un alt moment inedit:
Crezusem inițial că este vorba doar de un masaj al scalpului cu ulei. Paula mi-a pregătit ulei de susan și îți pot confirma că după baia în ulei, părul meu s-a regenerat excelent.
Dar a făcut mult mai mult decât un masaj al scalpului și o mască de păr. M-am simțit de parcă aș fi fost în continuarea masajului făcut de Cătălin. Parcă m-ar fi preluat de unde m-a lăsat el, și l-a continuat ea: o combinație de mișcări de presopunctură pe toată zona cervicală și scalp.
A fost senzațional! Și te sfătuiesc să încerci și tu cele 2 terapii una în continuarea celeilalte, dacă ajungi la Castelnor. Chiar și în zile consecutive, cum le-am făcut eu.
Dacă mă simțeam oricum foarte bine după masajul din prima zi, la care se adaugă și bucuria că stau mult mai dreaptă, după acest tratament eram într-o stare atât de bună, încât îmi este imposibil să ți-o descriu în cuvinte.
Și da, totul în doar 26 de ore petrecute la Castelnor. Am ajuns la ora 13 la ei și am plecat pe la ora 15 a doua zi, după un alt prânz delicios.
Nu știu cum ar fi fost dacă aș fi făcut doar tratamentele spa. Sau dacă am fi venit doar pentru cazare, restaurant, saune și piscine, și plimbări prin aer liber. N-am idee. Dar mi-e greu să cred că fără tratamentele spa și fără cele 2 activități în saune + concertul de boluri, efectul ar fi fost același, dar așa cum spunea Cornel, la Castelnor vii pentru un tot, pentru complexitatea și armonia tuturor lucrurilor pe care le îmbină cu succes.
Nici nu pot să mă gândesc cum ar fi să stau 4-5 zile acolo, dacă după doar 26 de ore mă simțeam eliberată, detașată, plină de energie și bucurie.
Dar cu siguranță, mă voi întoarce să aflu.
Update 2025:
After 15 years of discovering the Spa & Wellness world together, despreSpa.ro has become Wellandia.
A new name, the same team, the same vision and the same values that have inspired our little virtual explorer, Wello, to always bring you reliable information - about relaxation, natural resources, movement, personalized nutrition, modern technologies and recovery - to inspire you on your journey to wellness
Founder of Wellandia (formerly despreSpa.ro) and SpaEdu
