A Gorgeous Mountain Hotel Becomes One With The Landscape

A beautiful site with beautiful views deserves to be appreciated and the Atra Doftana hotel in Prahova, Romania knows a thing or two about how this can be achieved. The spot was perfect for a hotel. The site has gentle slopes complemented by flat surfaces and it’s close to a mountain lake and panoramic views of a valley and the mountains and forests that surround it. Tecon Architects took the time to explore the land before coming up with a plan. This is the design that they ended up creating.

The hotel is set in a valley, surrounded by mountains, conifer forests and a lake
The hotel is set in a valley, surrounded by mountains, conifer forests and a lake
The site was strategically chosen for its slopes and flat surfaces
The site was strategically chosen for its slopes and flat surfaces

The hotel was completed in 2011 and takes full advantage of its location, the topography of the site as well as the views. The building is organized into two main volumes. One of them houses the guest rooms and the entrance while the other accommodates the common areas such as a dining area, a living and lounge space and a kitchen.

The hotel is organized into two main volumes, one of which is partially cantilevered, suspended on red poles
The hotel is organized into two main volumes, one of which is partially cantilevered, suspended on red poles
A seamless mixture of open and closed spaces and underground and cantilevered volumes defines the hotel
A seamless mixture of open and closed spaces and underground and cantilevered volumes defines the hotel

To maximize the views, the architects designed the hotel with a series of underground and above ground spaces but also a set of cantilevered areas. This also allowed them to establish a nice dialogue between the building and the landscape that surrounds it. This is the cantilevered section of the hotel. It stands on red metal stilts and. forms a protected outdoor extension for the spaces below.

This metal and glass structure is pretty cool, not to mention eye-catching
This metal and glass structure is pretty cool, not to mention eye-catching
The hotel takes maximum advantage of the slopes, featuring these green-roofed spaces that become one with the land
The hotel takes maximum advantage of the slopes, featuring these green-roofed spaces that become one with the land
The terraced green roofs double as open terraces for the bedroom suites lined up at the top
The terraced green roofs double as open terraces for the bedroom suites lined up at the top

The parts of the hotel that rise above the access point of the site get to enjoy the greatest views. The guest rooms are strategically positioned to make the most of the views. They’re lined up along the green roof and they each have direct access outdoors, featuring small wooden decks and full-height windows that bring the outdoors in.

On one side, the spaces open up to views of a mountain lake and the sight is quite amazing
On one side, the spaces open up to views of a mountain lake and the sight is quite amazing
The lower level spaces let in natural light thanks to their full-height windows and open floor plan
The lower level spaces let in natural light thanks to their full-height windows and open floor plan

From the outside, you can also notice a distinction between the private and the public areas of the hotel. The guest rooms are clad in wood while the living and dining spaces are clad in stone. This selection of materials further enhances the close connection between the hotel and its surroundings. As far as the interior design is concerned, the palette of colors are materials is simple and beautifully balanced and perfectly chosen to complement each function.

The suites are cozy and welcoming and they all have panoramic views and outdoor access
The suites are cozy and welcoming and they all have panoramic views and outdoor access
There's a zen-like ambiance combined with modern sophistication throughout the hotel
There’s a zen-like ambiance combined with modern sophistication throughout the hotel