103 years of hospitality

Casa Peștera was the first shelter for tourists built here, in Poiana Crucii, on Cocora mountain, “in the very heart of the massif”, near the geometric centre of the Bucegi. It was designed to comfortably host 40–50 people, a stone’s throw from the Ialomița Cave and its historic hermitage.

It was built, in 1923, by the “Hanul Drumeților” association, whose president was Mihai Haret, nephew of the scholar Spiru Haret and founder of the tourism movement in Romania (the name “Han” stayed with it at first, after the association). In 1924 it was officially named Casa Peștera, and not “Casa Cocora” after the mountain, because “Peștera” had become the name of the whole area.

From the very start the mission was twofold: tourism and nature protection (the Cocora alpine garden, envisioned as Romania’s first national park), plus research. Interest was already high: the number of visitors to the region had passed 4,000 in 1923. It was here, too, that Bucura Dumbravă wrote “Cartea Munților”, the first travel guide in Romania.

In 1924 Mihai Haret’s book “Peștera Ialomiței și Casa Peștera” appears. Between 1924 and 1925 the chalet is extended, and a new opening takes place on 29 June 1925, with over 200 guests.

Among the first keepers is the legendary Moș Neculae Butmăloiu and his wife Mina. The path from Bușteni is still called today “Butmăloiu’s road”.

In 1933, connected to electricity, Casa Peștera exceeds 2,000 guests hosted each year.

On the night of 12 February 1940, the old wooden chalet burns down. In April a new chalet begins, with a stone ground floor and a wooden upper floor, to the plans of the architect Titu Evolceanu. The foundation stone is laid on 4 August 1940, and the consecration takes place on 18 October 1942, before more than 300 people.

In August 1945, King Michael I and Queen Mother Elena visit the area. In 1962 the first tourists arrive by car, a “Volga” climbs all the way up to Peștera.

In September 1970 the chalet is destroyed by fire once more. Between 1970 and 1978 it operates from four huts. In 1974 construction of the Peștera Hotel begins, inaugurated on 31 December 1978.

In 1990, the Peștera Hotel comes into the ownership of SC Valahia SA. On 26 March 1998, the complex is taken over by Romcif SA of Fieni.

A major overhaul begins: in place of the fuel-oil boiler room an indoor pool is created, the old chimney is replaced by the lift for guests, and the hotel is connected to natural gas. Following the investments, it is rated at 3 stars.

Following the contract of 14 October 2003, the Peștera Hotel Complex comes into the ownership of the Alca Industrial Group, the current owner.

From 2005 major investments begin: all the accommodation, the restaurant, the pool and the common areas are renovated, and the Old Chalet (part of the 1942 chalet) is brought back to life. In 2015 it earns its 4-star classification.

On 14 July 2018, the hotel becomes a pioneer in electromobility, with the first electric-car charging station in the mountain area and in Dâmbovița county.

The road to the new five-star hotel:

• 27 August 2021: Work begins on the new hotel.
• 27 June 2022: Laying of the foundation stone.
• 21 September 2023: 100 years of hospitality.
• 30 November 2024: Inauguration of Hotel Peștera - Wellness & Spa, at 5 stars.

At the 1923 opening, Saints Michael and Gabriel were chosen as the spiritual patrons of Casa Peștera, in honour of Mihai Haret, a tradition forgotten after the Second World War.

The new hotel revives this tradition and chooses as its spiritual patron Saint Andrew, the protector of Romania, the name borne by the family’s grandson, Andrei Cezar Calcan, baptised at the Peștera Ialomiței Monastery itself.