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.
Interview – Porumbacu 134: "Between Hot and Cold, We Found the Perfect Balance for Our Guests"
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?
What surprised us is how intuitively people embrace the hot–cold ritual. They start in the sauna, then step outside straight into the cold-water hot tub, especially in summer. This alternation, deep heat followed by cool immersion, both energizes and relaxes them.
Winter is just as spectacular. We heat the hot tub and use it with warm water, but also keep a cold version for the brave. Those who try it once always come back. They say it's "total detox", physical and 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?
That it's not just an investment in comfort, but in a wellness ritual. The sauna and hot tub transform how guests experience a place. They give them a reason to return, and to share the story. For us, as hosts, it's pure joy to see so much relaxation in a courtyard that used to be just "green."
Location: https://porumbacu134.ro
Instagram: https://instagram.com/porumbacu134
Thinking about a sauna or hot tub of your own?
Tell us what you have in mind and we will send you a quote.