History
Hotel Carol occupies one of the buildings with which Vatra Dornei began its life as a spa resort, at the end of the 19th century.
Under mayor Vasile Deac the resort is modernised: work begins on the Bath Establishment, the Casino, the Town Hall and the Sentinela spring building. Today’s hotel building is part of the Bath Establishment and is meant for spa treatment.
On 10 July 1899 the Casino, designed by the Viennese architect Peter Paul Brang, is officially opened. The two buildings appear together on the resort’s postcards.
The first renovation and restoration of the monument. The building becomes the three-star Hotel Carol: 17 rooms, a 100-seat restaurant, a summer garden and private parking.
A thorough renovation and modernisation that keeps the Austro-Hungarian style. The rooms become 15 to make space for Carol Wellness & Spa; the restaurant is enlarged and the summer garden becomes a covered terrace with a children’s play area.
The building is a listed historic monument. Because it cannot be altered, only some rooms have a balcony — the small price of a truly old house.
Drag the line: on the left, the Bath Establishment on an old postcard; on the right, the same building, today Hotel Carol.
Sources: National Heritage Institute, postcard collection (cartipostale.cimec.ro); Hotel Carol archive.