Singureni Manor Equestrian Retreat

An hour into the countryside from Bucharest, set on more than 1500 acres of forest and parkland, is a place where rural living and luxury hospitality come together: Singureni Manor Equestrian Retreat. It’s not the only European hunting lodge to have evolved into a country hotel, but it may be the one that remains most dedicated to the traditions upon which it was founded — here you’ll find the deer and stags still roaming the forest, as well as an equestrian program that encompasses everything from casual rides to dressage lessons and Saturday afternoon Arabian horse shows.

The accommodations are divided between two distinct sites; Paul’s Lodge, the 13-room hunting lodge that was the original residence on this property, and Paul’s Horses, the 19-room inn that opens directly onto the stables, so that guests have Arabian horses as their neighbors. Throughout, the rooms are decorated in a contemporary reconstruction of an antique hunting-lodge style, and outfitted with modern luxury-hotel comforts.

Along with a diverse array of outdoor experiences, Singureni Manor is known for culinary excellence, thanks to chef Alexandru Dumitru and the fine-dining La Hambar restaurant, serving modern Romanian cuisine from farm-fresh produce. And on Saturday nights the hotel offers a Chef Experience dinner, followed by an informal gathering around the campfire.