We came back to Transylvania to save what can be saved of the values created by our ancestors and indeed nature itself, and not in order to merely recuperate assets of some speculative financial value. We renovated and decorated the first houses for our own use in Miklosvar. When we moved to the other village, where the ruined family residence is, we decided to open our houses as guesthouses, leaving everything as we had created it for ourselves. We didn't wish to live in a sterile museum, and tried to combine inherited values with present comfort, and fill the old walls with life again. The function as guesthouse fits this aim perfectly, and I hope you will feel comfortable in these ancient yet functional and certainly unpretentious premises.

Transylvania is not only famous as the homeland of Bram Stoker's fictional character, Count Dracula, but is also associated with the dramatic history of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, well-preserved Medieval villages, and excellent Romanian wines. We invite you to discover Transylvania as our great grand parents knew it in the 1800's. Immerse yourself in a forgotten world that you probably believe has ceased to exist in today's Europe. You will stay in Miklosvar, a remote village situated in the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains, from which you will be able to explore Transylvania, past and present. Miklosvar is the oldest documented settlement of the region. Its castle was first mentioned in 1211 AD as border fortress between the territory donated to the Knights of the Teutonic Order and the rest of the of the Kingdom of Hungary. Today's castle was started in the 1500s as a hunting manor for the family and still contains many Renaissance elements, like painted wall decorations. It was abandoned the last fifty years and is currently under restoration. The Kalnokys are one of the most ancient families of Transylvania, their history reaching back to obscure medieval times. In 1252 AD the family was documented in this eastern part of Transylvania. Our main places were/are Korospatak (family residence) and Miklosvar (hunting manor). The current 25th generation came back after 50 years of exile in the West and are now reshaping their lost heritage.

Count Kalnoky's guesthouses date back to the 1800's, although parts of them are much older, as indicated by the presence of medieval shooting embrasures. The buildings have been carefully restored in order to preserve their original Transylvanian charm and character. The guesthouses are situated within spacious gardens, with storks nesting on nearby rooftops. The guesthouses are beautifully furnished with antiques in the Transylvanian Szekler and Saxon style. To ensure that our guests have a warm and comfortable stay, we have enhanced the original heating system (wood stoves). The bathrooms are luxuriously equipped and decorated. A sauna and a billiard room are also available for the guests to use. Children are very welcome and the guesthouses are suitable for all ages. Miklosvar is a remote village with little infrastructure, therefore we cannot (and do not wish to) claim technical perfection. There may be an occasional electricity failure; however, these are normally brief and rarely affect the enjoyment of our guests. The village streets remain unpaved and pot-holed, so can become dusty in the sun and muddy after the rain. There can be no denying the rustic charm and original Transylvanian character of the village, which offers an opportunity to step back in time.

The guestrooms are furnished exclusively with antique Transylvanian furniture, including most of the textiles. All rooms have double beds with specially manufactured mattresses of pure wool and duvet covers. In order to create an atmosphere of peace and tranquillity, the rooms do not have television or radio; instead, you will find plenty of interesting books on the shelves. Each room has an electric kettle, with tea and coffee provided. The bathrooms respect western standards of comfort (hairdryers, floor heating, softened water) and are beautifully conceived. All bathrooms are private, most are en-suite (although the old Transylvanian village cottages were conceived without bathrooms). The sauna has been built by incorporating a vast old bread oven.

Depending on the weather, lunch and dinner is served in the wine cellar or under the vine arbour in the garden. Other rooms for the use of all the guests include a billiard room (lower guesthouse) and a drawing room (main guesthouse), where you can enjoy local brandy (Palinka) seated in comfortable armchairs in front of the fireplace. Breakfast is served in a picturesque summer kitchen, where the food is prepared, or in the main guesthouse. The wine cellar, with its massive oak beams, stoves and central fireplace, dates from the 17th century. Local wines in high wooden racks line the walls. Meals are eaten by candlelight. Guests dine together in a scene reminiscent of a page from a 19th century novel. Vegetables are mainly produced in our kitchen garden or within the village (and are free of agro-chemicals). Milk products and meat mostly come from animals bred and reared in Miklosvar. Meals, based upon traditional local Transylvanian recipes, are prepared in the summer kitchen, located in the garden of the main guesthouse. We are happy to accommodate special dietary needs, such as vegetarianism. Normally you will eat breakfast and dinner at the main guesthouse. During tours, lunch is provided at a restaurant or in the form of a picnic (if you are in the countryside).