The National Agency for Fiscal Administration (ANAF) has once again put Hotel Expres in Predeal, owned by freight rail operator CFR Marfă, up for auction at a starting price of EUR 2.53 million, VAT exempt. This marks the third attempt to capitalize on the asset, following unsuccessful tenders in December 2023 and spring 2024, with the current price reduced from the EUR 2.86 million asked during the previous attempt.
The auction procedure will conclude on the morning of September 13, with the participation step set at 10% of the starting price, or EUR 253.2 thousand. The hotel complex was developed by the rail operator between 2003 and 2006 using internal funds, following an investment of EUR 456.9 thousand on a 1,513 sq m plot of land located next to Predeal railway station. The property offered for sale (Land Registry CF 100114 Predeal, cadastral no. 100114-C1) includes a 426 sq m workforce recovery center, a 202 sq m mixed-use building—a former wagon maintenance shop converted into a basement + ground floor + first floor structure housing meeting, relaxation, protocol, and translation rooms—as well as the three-star hotel building (basement + ground floor + 2 floors + attic). The accommodation facility features 29 rooms (4 suites and 25 double or triple rooms), a restaurant, kitchen, fitness room, and administrative spaces, connected on the upper floor to the conference hall building.
According to statements made to the publication Club Feroviar by Daniel Apostolache, general manager of CFR Marfă at the time of the first sale attempt, the hotel remains operational but runs at a loss. He noted that the asset reaches an occupancy rate of nearly 100% exclusively during winter school holidays, while the summer season remains quiet. Furthermore, the staff largely consists of retrained railway workers, with management emphasizing the necessity for the freight operator to focus its resources solely on its core business.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting price for Hotel Expres in Predeal?
The starting price at the auction is EUR 2.53 million, VAT exempt, lowered from EUR 2.86 million during the previous auction attempt.
What does the property being auctioned include?
The 1,513 sq m property includes a 3-star hotel with 29 rooms, a 426 sq m workforce recovery center, and a 202 sq m building dedicated to conferences, meetings, and protocol.
Why is CFR Marfă selling the hotel?
The hotel operates at a loss, achieving near full capacity only during winter school breaks, and CFR Marfă aims to focus its resources exclusively on its core freight operations.