Romanian resort Mamaia: how to relax on the Black Sea coast for 60 euros.

Affordable vacation on the coast of Romania

According to The Sun: For those dreaming of a budget holiday with beautiful beaches, Mamaia is worth considering.

This resort is one of the most popular in Romania and at the same time one of the most affordable, as there is a hotel owned by a former football player.

Mamaia is a lively resort known for its nightclubs and sandy beaches, located on a narrow strip of land between the Black Sea and Lake Siutghiol.

Thanks to its location, this resort offers incredible views of the water and allows you to enjoy temperatures up to 25°C even in September.

Romania is famous for its affordable prices: local beer costs only 11 lei — approximately £1.88.

This resort has been nicknamed the 'Blackpool' of Romania due to its affordability and festive atmosphere.

Hotel owned by a football star

In Mamaia, there is a hotel owned by famous Romanian footballer Gheorghe Hagi. He played for the Romanian national team for 17 years and acquired the IAKI Conference & Spa hotel in 1999, constantly improving it since then.

Now the hotel has 122 spacious rooms and apartments, with prices starting from €60 (£52.04).

Thanks to its beachfront location, the hotel offers stunning views of the sea or the lake.

The hotel also has a first-class spa with a jacuzzi, yoga room, spinning class studio, and sauna.

IAKI has 220 sun loungers and umbrellas, as well as a volleyball court.

The hotel offers three dining options: Coriolis, which operates year-round and offers traditional Romanian cuisine with seafood, beef, and lamb; the Ballroom restaurant, where you can enjoy a buffet during the summer; and the IAKI Casino, which is usually reserved for special events such as birthdays and weddings.

Guests can refresh themselves with drinks at the Piano Bar, Sunrise Bar, or the beach bar.

Since the hotel is owned by a former footballer, there is also a football field where both staff and guests can play.

Guest reviews

The IAKI hotel ranks first in Mamaia on Tripadvisor. Here are some thoughts from guests:

“This was our fourth visit here, and as always, the sea view was stunning. The room was prepared with a crib for our daughter, the food was excellent.”

“We had the opportunity to meet the owner personally: Gheorghe Hagi, the greatest Romanian football player of all time!”

To get to Mamaia, you can take a direct Wizz Air flight from London Luton to Constanta Kogalniceanu for prices starting from £23. The journey from the airport to Mamaia takes about 30 minutes.

Interestingly, Romania is so affordable that one woman came for a spa retreat with her mother, as it turned out cheaper than in the UK, even considering the return flight costs.

Mamaia offers a beautiful view of the Black Sea, making it an ideal spot for summer vacations.