In conversation with Cristina Petrut, Managing Director, Vibre Hotel Cluj, Transylvania (Exclusive Interview)

How is Vibre Hotel positioned in Cluj Napoca? USPs, competitive set. 

Vibre Hotel is an elegant five-star boutique hotel tailored for business executives and discerning clients seeking premium, personalised hospitality. Located at the crossroads of creativity and innovation, at Vibre, luxury is about our clients and their desire for authenticity, intimacy and refinement. Every corner is designed to inspire and give the freedom to be themselves.

Our goal is to elevate the traditional premium hospitality experience by seamlessly integrating advanced technology with warm, authentic care in a sophisticated and relaxing environment.

In a vibrant city like Cluj-Napoca, which has a diverse tourism market, our competitors’ advantages lie in their locations within the central area or near popular tourist attractions. Although it is considered downtown, Vibre is located in zone 2, a 15-minute walk from downtown. Another “trump card” of our competition is the strong reputation and established processes offered by chain-branded hotels. 

As an independent hotel, we take pride in our distinctive position in the market, which allows us to tailor each guest’s experience to their individual preferences. This flexibility empowers us to create personalised moments that truly reflect the needs and desires of our guests, ensuring a memorable and unique stay.

What is your guest profile? Which are your feed markets?

The Vibre guest is refined and discerning and is seeking a unique blend of luxury and authenticity. From professionals to business travellers and selective tourists who value comfort, exclusivity, and personalised service, our guests appreciate advanced technology that is seamlessly integrated into their stay.

Our clients seek a quiet yet sophisticated retreat in the heart of Cluj-Napoca, with a preference for elegant design and high-end amenities. 

They come from various industry verticals, from business to corporate executives and entrepreneurs. Whether visiting for business, leisure, or special occasions, our guests expect a serene atmosphere, tailored services and an immersive experience that balances both modernity and tradition, which is exactly what Vibre is set to offer.

To what extent do you also attract locals?

Our location’s elegant design makes it an ideal hub for business meetings and various events. Vibre engages the local community through collaborations with local societies and entrepreneurs, as well as through hosted events and gatherings. 

Our innovative conference room and Leda restaurant create the perfect combination for business events and conferences, while our lobby serves as an excellent networking space.

Highly sought, another main act offered by Vibre is our C’est La Vie Rooftop restaurant which caters to food enthusiasts and those seeking social events while enjoying beautiful views of Cluj-Napoca from our rooftop.

Tell us more about the evolution of Cluj Napoca as a luxury destination. What has been the evolution of rates?

Over the past decade, Cluj-Napoca has transformed into a luxury destination within its hospitality sector, largely due to significant investments and the growth of the IT market. 

The city’s cultural profile has been enhanced by accolades such as being named the Cultural Capital of Youth and hosting international events like the Transilvania International Film Festival. As a result, Cluj-Napoca has gradually attracted renowned international hotel brands.

Due to the influx of luxury accommodations, the hospitality rates in the city have been significantly influenced. While gathering specific pricing data is challenging, the introduction of high-end hotels has led to a tiered pricing structure that accommodates both premium and mid-range budgets.

Luxury hotels in many destinations are challenged by staffing. What has been your approach? 

Finding the right staff is a critical challenge for luxury hotels, especially in the fast-paced hospitality industry. At Vibre, we take pride in our highly curated team, which works together as a single entity to provide and elevate the meaning of sophisticated comfort in hospitality.

In today’s professional landscape, it is increasingly challenging to navigate the presence of temporary employees who appear motivated primarily by incentives rather than a genuine commitment to fulfilling their job responsibilities.

Here, we have to give all the merits to our Vibre management and HR team that, together, make sure we have the right talent that aligns with our values and principles of hospitality.

 How do you motivate your team to ensure consistency in service?

Ensuring consistency starts with a strong focus on team motivation, training, and workplace culture. At Vibre, we believe that the same amount of respect that we offer to our guests should be shown to our employees as well. It is an unwritten rule that acts like a pillar of our intracultural organisation.

Nonetheless, high service standards, specialized skills, and employee retention are always a key concerns. That’s why we always try to provide our teams with the proper training and benefits that ensure employee satisfaction.

One important element that makes the Vibre engine effective is the absence of multiple hierarchies, which facilitates listening and receiving feedback from our employees. At Vibre, empathy and quick decision-making are key to our intracultural and retention success.

What is your F&B offering? 

Vibre aims to provide a complete sensorial experience that immerses our guests, turning their stay into a serene oasis of relaxation in the vibrant heart of Cluj. Every detail is designed with care, from the meticulously selected furnishings of our rooms to the ingredients we source and the vibrant flavours we blend into our food and beverage offerings.

With Leda Restaurant acting as the heart of our mornings at Vibre and C’est la Vie Rooftop as the central act of the evening, we aim to provide an exceptional culinary experience that will curate our guest’s entire day.

Carefully crafted by our Head Chef, Florin Revesz, C’est La Vie’s menu showcases a sophisticated blend of Mediterranean cuisine with Japanese influences. Each dish features bold flavours, premium ingredients, and artistic presentation, creating a unique culinary experience that is accompanied by the breathtaking panoramic views of C’est la Vie.

Surrounded by warmth, Leda Restaurant offers a carefully curated selection of fresh, artisanal, and seasonal delights, ensuring a perfect start to your day. 

Additionally, Leda serves as an exclusive venue for private events, where customised menus and impeccable service create unforgettable moments.

Our dedication to excellence, combined with Chef Florin Revesz’s innovative approach, ensures that every meal is a harmonious blend of taste, ambience, and hospitality.

 Please share more about your novelties in 2025. 

This year’s theme emphasizes the development and evolving perceptions of hospitality. We aim to further establish the Vibre brand as a top choice for luxurious stays in Cluj Napoca.

In 2025, we will embark on a year of exploration, focusing on signature experiences and owned events. We are also engaging deeply with our strategic partnerships to deliver the ultimate personalised stay, which will offer curated services based on our guests’ preferences and expectations.

We aim to collaborate with local cultural events that reflect our principles and behaviours, ensuring that our brand awareness is communicated effectively across all aspects of our strategy.

We are also focusing more on sustainability, minimising food waste through locally sourced ingredients, green energy initiatives, and enhancing our “stay green” programs.

Last but not least, we are focusing on investing in technologies that will enhance both employee and customer experiences. Our goal is to enhance their experiences while ensuring that the meaningful human connections so crucial to Vibre are always at the forefront.

We can say this much for now without giving away what’s coming next.

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