Porumbacu 134 – A Nordic Corner in the Heart of the Mountains: The Hot–Cold Experience That Wins Every Guest
At the Porumbacu 134 Guesthouse, the sauna and hot tub have become true wellness rituals. Guests alternate soothing heat with refreshing cold baths under the open sky, leaving more peaceful, more connected, and completely recharged.
Model Interviu – Porumbacu 134: „Între cald și rece, am găsit echilibrul perfect pentru oaspeții noștri”
Porumbacu de Sus, Sibiu – July 2025 Interview with the owners of Porumbacu 134 Guesthouse
❝ "Sauna, then cold water in the hot tub — the ritual that redefined our courtyard experience." ❞
How did you decide to include a sauna and a hot tub in your guesthouse?
The idea came naturally. We have a generous courtyard and wanted to offer guests something beyond accommodation — a memorable experience. We were inspired by Nordic culture, where saunas and outdoor bathing are daily rituals. That's how we discovered NorthHeat, who helped us find the right solution for our space and style.
What equipment did you choose?
We chose a NATIVE M sauna with a HUUM electric stove and a NorthHeat RUND ex. hot tub with an external wood stove. We placed them in a quiet corner of the yard, open to the sky and surrounded by silence. The design is simple and natural, and the functionality is flawless. We heat with both electricity and wood, keeping the authentic atmosphere — no unnecessary frills.
How do guests use the sauna and hot tub?
Ce ne-a surprins e cât de intuitiv oamenii intră în ritualul cald-rece. Încep cu sauna, apoi ies direct afară, se așază în hot tub, dar cu apă rece, mai ales vara. Alternanța aceasta – căldură profundă urmată de apă rece – îi energizează și relaxează în același timp. Iarna e la fel de spectaculos. Încălzim hot tub-ul și îl folosim cu apă caldă, dar avem și o variantă rece pentru cei curajoși. Cei care încearcă o dată revin mereu. Ne spun că e „detox total” – fizic și mental.
What impact has it had on you personally?
It's become part of our identity. We're no longer just a guesthouse — we're a place where people reconnect with nature, with silence, and with themselves. We love seeing guests start their morning with a sauna and a cold dip, then sit quietly with a coffee. Or in the evening, unwind in the steam under a sky full of stars.
Do you have a favorite memory from these moments?
Yes — a winter evening after fresh snow. A group of guests used the sauna, then ran laughing into the cold hot tub. You could hear only the crackling wood and cheerful laughter in the frozen air. There was a profound stillness. That's when we knew we'd made the right choice.
What would you tell other hosts considering a similar investment?
Că nu e doar o investiție în confort, ci într-un ritual de stare de bine. Sauna și hot tub-ul schimbă felul în care oaspeții simt locul. Le oferă un motiv să se întoarcă, să povestească altora. Iar pentru noi, ca gazde, e o bucurie să vedem atâta relaxare într-o curte care până acum era doar „verde”.