Romania: Transylvania's fairytale castle accommodation

It's got hints of Hobbiton, but this whimsical hotel's a long way from Matamata

It looks like it's straight from the pages of a story book, but this mini castle does in fact exist.

Nestled at the heart of the Fagaras Mountains in Romania, in a region known as the Valley of the Fairies, the recently built 'Clay Castle' was crafted by a couple using only natural, organic materials — clay, straw, wood and sand.

Snow covers the fairytale castle. Photo / Castelul de Lut Valea Zanelor

Razran and Gabriela Vasile, both singers who moved from the city of Bucharest two years ago to realise their country-living ambitions, according to their website, enlisted the help of architect Ileana Mavrodin to design the whimsical 10-room abode.

No modern paint or varnish is being used to decorate the castle's interior, and every room will be heated by simple wood fires.

The hotel boasts sweeping views of the Carpathian Mountains and an organic restaurant. Photo / Castelul de Lut Valea Zanelor

Mr and Mrs Vasile told MailOnline Travel that they plan to open it as a hotel in the European autumn.

The whimsical building is located a 40km drive from the city of Sibiu and boasts sweeping views of the Carpathian Mountains and an organic restaurant.

Despite not being open to guests yet, the structure's Facebook page has amassed more than 27,000 likes, and tourists are already flocking to the area to see it from the outside.

Every room in the castle will be heated by simple wood fires. Photo / Castelul de Lut Valea Zanelor