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Our Story

For over 600 years, the Mikes family has shaped this estate’s story. Once generals, poets, and diplomats of the old Transylvanian nobility, the family’s legacy has weathered war, exile, and confiscation. In 1949, the estate was seized during Romania’s communist takeover. It remained silent for decades—until its rightful heirs returned.

Shuvendu Basu Roy Chowdhury of Ulpur & Countess Katalin Mikes of Zabola

In the early 2000s, it was Gregor and Alexander, the sons of Countess Katalin Mikes and Shuvendu Basu Roy Chowdhury, who began the careful, thoughtful restoration of Zabola. What began as a rebuilding became a reinvention—an invitation for guests to step inside a world of authenticity, natural beauty, and quiet luxury.

Today, Zabola’s historic buildings—the New Castle, Machine House, Old Saddle House, Old Luxury Stables, and Garden House—have been lovingly restored and reimagined as refined spaces for rest, reflection, and celebration. Wood-fired saunas in the forest, wildflower paths, candlelit dinners, and curated experiences await.

The family also plays an active role in the local economy, supporting small businesses, artisans, forestry, and sustainable agriculture—ensuring that heritage and community thrive together.

Zabola is not a hotel in the traditional sense. It’s a place of soulful connection, of stories whispered through centuries-old walls. A home. A sanctuary. A story still being written.

Zabola – Transylvania’s Best Kept Secret
Where time slows, and everything real begins”