Alina Marinescu, Ursa Mica Glamping & Huzur Glamping

1. From corporate to glamping — what inspired your bold career shift, and what’s the biggest myth about entrepreneurship you’ve debunked along the way?

The corporate world shaped me profoundly. As someone who always aimed high and thrived under pressure, I found purpose and structure in that environment.
But my true sense of balance, peace, and creativity has always come from nature—whether by pushing my limits through sports or discovering the world. From diving into oceans to witness the underwater world, sailing to understand the wind, climbing mountains for new perspectives, biking through forests, or wakeboarding to feel flow and freedom—nature has been my greatest teacher.
My travels—from Fiji to Australia, Asia to Africa, and across Europe—along with deep explorations of Romania’s hidden gems, from the Carpathian Mountains to the Danube Delta and the Black Sea, awakened a calling: to create a haven where people could reconnect with themselves through nature. A place where corporate teams could bond, and lovers could say "yes" under the starry sky.
With the unwavering support of my partner and a deep love for Romania, I envisioned something bold—an eco-sustainable retreat in the mountains unlike anything seen before. And so, Ursa Mică Glamping Resort was born: a sanctuary in the heart of the Carpathians, at the gates of Transylvania.
Nature teaches us to listen, to be present, and to grow. I wanted to inspire others to reconnect with it—to work, sleep, relax, and play in nature. That’s the true motivation behind our resort.
The biggest myth I’ve debunked as an entrepreneur? That being your own boss means more freedom or less stress. In reality, I became the toughest manager I’ve ever had! Entrepreneurship is not about easy gains—it’s about resilience, clarity of vision, and an unwavering commitment to your mission.

2. Swiss business culture values quality and precision. How do these traits shape the guest experience at Ursa Mică? Can you share a detail that makes a big impact?

These values have always been part of my life—instilled by my parents in my childhood, and later reinforced during my years living in Switzerland. Quality, precision, and integrity define both who I am and how we run our business.
At Ursa Mică, we apply these principles in every aspect of our work. We chose a pristine location with one of the most breathtaking views in Romania, at 1,250 meters altitude, surrounded by clean mountain air. We offer guests a seamless blend of immersive nature and high-comfort hospitality, with meticulous attention to detail—whether in service, cleanliness, food, logistics, or timing—especially when hosting corporate or private events.
One detail that makes a big impact: our ability to swiftly adapt to unexpected challenges. Whether it’s a sudden storm or a last-minute change in a guest’s schedule, our team always finds a solution to ensure an unforgettable experience and excellence in customer care.

3. Now that you’ve left behind corporate goals, how do you define success today? What daily moments remind you this path was worth taking?

I haven’t entirely left the corporate mindset behind—it taught me how to lead, scale, and solve problems, and it continues to shape how I manage today. But success now has a richer meaning: happy guests, a motivated team, a business that runs profitably and independently, and the freedom to dedicate time to my passions, personal growth, and family.
In fact, I am happy to still work closely with the corporate world. A key part of our business is hosting corporate events. More and more companies are seeking meaningful ways to create value within their teams—offering them experiences that spark motivation, creativity, and cohesion.
The moments that remind me this path was worth it? The laughter of guests echoing through the mountains, the quiet joy of a family watching stars from their terrace, a company team leaving more united and energized than when they arrived. When guests thank us with emotion in their voices. When my team feels proud of what we offer together. When I have time to climb a mountain, watch the sunrise, or share dinner with my family—knowing everything is running smoothly back at the resort.

4. Running a resort in the mountains comes with unique challenges. What have been some of the hardest aspects of building and operating Ursa Mică remotely?

Building a fully functional resort at 1,250 meters altitude was no small feat.
The first challenge was finding the right location—a long process of searching for a high-altitude site with a spectacular view, but also accessible and supported by the infrastructure needed to run a business.
Then came logistics, by far the biggest hurdle: transporting materials, sourcing quality construction, finding reliable suppliers, and recruiting skilled staff in a remote area with a limited population.
But we turned these obstacles into strengths. We built partnerships with local certified producers, suppliers, and mountain guides. We proudly serve fresh, organic, locally sourced products—ingredients that offer our guests an unforgettable culinary experience.
We’ve stayed loyal to our vision: to showcase the best of Romania in a way that’s elevated, authentic, and eco-sustainable.

5. You helped pioneer high-standard glamping in Romania. How would you explain this concept to an international audience, and where do you see the niche heading?

We proudly launched Romania’s first luxury glamping resort in 2016. Since then, we’ve welcomed over 25,000 guests and hosted more than 100 corporate and private events. We laid the foundation of this hospitality niche and remain the leader, offering the country’s only year-round glamping experience with full-service comfort in one of Romania’s most spectacular regions  at the gates of Transylvania.
To international guests, I say: come to Ursa Mică Glamping Resort, where wilderness meets comfort, and discover the authentic heart of Romania—one of the safest, most idyllic countries in Europe, with stunning nature and rich, flavorful cuisine.

At Ursa Mică Glamping Resort you will find:
- An unmatched location: in the heart of Romania, at the intersection of history and legend, surrounded by virgin forests and the towering Carpathian peaks.
- Complete privacy: a 40,000 sqm property at 1,250 meters altitude.
- Immersive nature experience with full comfort
- Integrated services: premium tents and bungalows, panoramic restaurant with gourmet local cuisine, activities with guides in Piatra Craiului Natural Park (hiking, climbing, e-bike,  stargazing, foraging), or cultural and historical tours in Transylvania, a minimalist SPA in nature with sauna and hottub.
- Warm hospitality: a devoted team delivering personalized care and unforgettable moments.
- Sustainability at the core: local sourcing, biodegradable materials, renewable energy - all part of a business model rooted in respect for nature and community.

I believe that glamping is a fast-growing niche. People increasingly seek experiences in nature with modern comfort, companies are moving their conference rooms outdoors, and “work from home” is evolving into “work from nature.”

6. Who is the ideal guest at Ursa Mică? What would you tell Swiss expats seeking an authentic Romanian escape to convince them to visit?

Our ideal guest is someone looking for peace, authenticity, and a meaningful experience—whether it's a family reunion, a digital detox, a corporate retreat, an active vacation, or a romantic escape. They value nature, comfort, privacy, and something truly different.
To Swiss expats in Romania, I say this:
If you miss the mountains, precision, clean air, and genuine hospitality—come visit us. We offer the familiarity of alpine excellence, infused with the warmth and richness of Romanian culture.
Ursa Mică is where Switzerland meets Transylvania—with open skies, thoughtful design, and a sense of wonder.
Come discover the real heart of Romania. It’s a place where you’ll feel refreshed, inspired, and deeply welcomed.

7. Was there a person, book, or experience that gave you the courage to start this journey? What keeps you inspired when things get tough?

Books have always opened my mind, my eyes, and my heart—ever since I was a child. I’ve always been an avid reader, drawn to all kinds of literature: fiction, theater, personal development, finance, and more.
One book that offered me inspiration and courage to begin this journey was The Journals of Queen Marie of Romania. She is, in my view, one of the most important and inspiring figures in Romanian history—one of the founders and visionaries behind the modern Romanian state. She had the boldness to take high risks and dream of building a country against all odds, despite the pressure of world powers.
What moved me most was her complexity—her inner strength, deep empathy, unwavering faith, and profound connection to nature. She loved the outdoors in every season and found peace and clarity in it. I’ll never forget her vivid descriptions of sleeping under the open sky on the terrace of Bran Castle in summer, or until late autumn, at the sea side, in the balcony at Balchik Palace.
And then there’s my husband, Răzvan Marinescu—an extraordinary human being, a successful entrepreneur, and a true mountain spirit. His energy, empathy, optimism, and tireless commitment to good people and good causes remind me every day why we started this journey together.
When things get tough—and they do—I return to nature. I breathe. I remind myself that we’re building something that brings joy to others. And I trust that hard work, guided by heart, always pays off.
When I feel like I can’t go on, I know that God always shows me that I can take one more step. And then another. And another.

8. Spending so much time in nature, what has it taught you about life, business, or people that you might not have learned elsewhere?

Nature teaches with quiet wisdom.
It reminds me that after every storm, the sun returns. That every seed grows differently, but with care, each finds its way. That there’s space for everyone—just as every flower and tree has its unique purpose.
It has taught me patience, humility, and trust in life’s cycles. Business—like nature—requires nurturing, resilience, and the courage to grow through each season.
And people, we’re just like the mountains and rivers—strong, adaptable, sometimes unpredictable, but always capable of beauty.