How to Plan the Perfect Destination Hen Do (ft. Bucharest)
Photo taken at Zola’s Bistro, Bucharest
There’s something so special about a destination Hen Party. It turns a celebration into an experience you’ll never forget…
For mine, we chose Bucharest, Romania. It’s somewhere that had been on my city break bucket list for a number of reasons. A mix of luxury, adventure and just the right amount of chaos (in the best way). It ended up being the perfect setting for a hen weekend that felt both elevated, eventful and effortless.
If you’re considering a destination hen, this is what we got up to, exactly why it worked, and how to make a stress-free celebration…
Where We Stayed: Our Spacious & Modern Airbnb
We landed in Romania on a sunny Thursday afternoon at the end of March - 6 weeks before my wedding date. It was crazy to think that after so many months of planning, the day had finally come to go on holiday with my girls and celebrate me becoming a married woman. I had been looking forward to a getaway with my friends, who I really don’t get to see often, let alone for an extended period of time.
After navigating the Otopeni airport car park - trust me, that’s a mission in itself - we ordered a taxi to our accommodation. We very quickly learned that the best way to get around in Romania was by using the app Bolt. We never had to wait long for a ride and the cab fares were pretty reasonable, especially when splitting them between us. If you’re travelling in a larger group there is an option for an XL taxi if they’re available, to save you having to hire more than one car. They ended up being our go-to for getting around during our stay. I would brace yourself for the driving though! They are definitely a lot more chill when it comes to following the rules of the road than we are here in the UK…
We pulled up to a small gated community around 15 minutes away from the airport. The houses were impressive, so I was excited to see which one was ours for the weekend. Once we got to the Airbnb I literally let out a gasp, I wasn’t expecting it to be so lovely in person! Pictures can sometimes be deceiving, but this place definitely lived up to its photos. Always check for reviews when booking an Airbnb online, to make sure the accommodation is as good as the host sells it to be. It’s always handy to check location and transport links as well, just to make sure it’s a good base to get to and from everywhere on your itinerary.
The ground floor of the house was laid out in the most gorgeous open-plan living room and kitchen area. Upstairs, it boasted enough bedrooms to allow for me to have a bridal suite, which I was very grateful for. My friends were happy to share queen beds with each other, which gave things a fun, sleepover vibe. Having a shared space like this made everything feel more relaxed and personal. Somewhere we could get ready together, have drinks before heading out and properly enjoy each other’s company. For Hen Parties especially, I always recommend accommodation that feels like an experience in itself. It’s not just somewhere to sleep, it becomes part of the memories. The house was decorated to a high standard, with modern furnishings and details, and a pop of colour here and there. The beds and soft furnishings were lavish and highly comfortable. There was even the cutest little grey cat who dropped in to say hello every now and then, which was entertainment in itself. (We’re all cat lovers here).
It was so meaningful to turn up to a cute surprise too - my friends outdid themselves by secretly covering the house in pink decorations galore!
The Pinkest Bistro: Zola’s
Of course, no hen weekend is complete without something aesthetic and this was the perfect moment. On our first night in Bucharest, we visited Zola’s a pink-themed bistro (which was exactly as dreamy as it sounds). Think soft tones, cute interiors floral accents and the perfect setting for girly photos.
It was a little tricky to find, tucked down a narrow side street between tall buildings, which is really easy to miss if you don’t know where to look. I did think a place like this deserved to be somewhere more open, so that people could see just how pretty it was! It seemed almost like wasted potential to have it tucked away like that. But in the same way, it was like finding a hidden gem, because once I walked inside I was in complete awe.
The restaurant was definitely decorated with influencers in mind, but tastefully done and not cheap-looking. The menu gave a lot of variety for us to choose from as we all have different tastes and my dinner - prawn linguine - was really tasty. The food is always a concern of mine when going to “aesthetic” restaurants, as a lot of them can fall into the trap of relying on aesthetics, but this did not disappoint…And apparently I’m delicious too, according to the cute mirror hanging on the wall in the entrance.
It’s really these little planned moments that level up a trip. Something visually fun, so you can get those group photos. But a bit different and completely on theme with who you’re throwing the event for (pink for me, in this case).
The Ultimate Reset: Therme Spa
If there’s one thing I’d tell every bride planning a hen do, it's this : build in time to relax.
Of course you want to pack in all the fun activities that you can, as your friends have all got together to celebrate you. But who says a chilled day can’t be fun, too?
If I’m honest, Therme Spa was the main thing that attracted me to Bucharest and probably my main highlight of the trip. It’s claimed to be the biggest spa in Europe and they were not kidding. There’s multiple rooms with huge pools infused with healthy body loving ingredients, a number of saunas and steam rooms, and red light beds so you can nap while your skin is being treated. Activities were taking place in different areas throughout the day, like aqua gyms and mud mask sessions to keep you busy. I also witnessed people flying down some of the most intense looking water slides I’ve ever seen. Perfect for those thrill seekers among us (however I am not the one). I particularly loved the outdoor jacuzzi as the cold breeze on your face while you’re relaxing in a heated pool just hits different. There were a number of restaurants to choose from as well, and all of them provided you robes while you dine. This meant you never had to worry about leaving the spa to eat. My friends treated me to a Malagasy massage, which involved using essential oils to help relieve tension and pain in the body. This was such a nice touch and something I really appreciated having as someone living with fibromyalgia. However, I did find that despite the size of the spa, there were not many treatment slots available. So if you do want to book a treat while visiting, make sure you get there as early as possible so that you can queue in time before they run out!
This place provided the perfect balance to the late nights. A full reset where everyone can unwind, recharge and actually enjoy the experience without rushing. We stayed there from early morning until the afternoon, but I think I honestly could have spent the entire day and it’s definitely somewhere I’d visit again in future.
From a planning perspective, relaxation is something I always encourage. A hen weekend shouldn’t feel non-stop and overwhelming. The bride has enough on her plate with planning her wedding/honeymoon as it is. Her mind is probably already racing with everything, so those slower, more pampered parts would be equally as important to her as the partying!
Dinner & A Show: Kong Herastrau
By day we were soaking up the steam and relaxing vibes of the spa…and then it was time to put our glam faces on and hit the town. The evening was all about dressing up to the nines, going out and having a blast. Having dinner at Kong in the heart of the city was exactly the vibe we were looking for.
Our table was situated directly in front of a lit stage where performers took turns to dance, play music, perform acrobatic routines while you eat. It made us feel like we were front row at a concert hall, even though we were mainly there for a meal. The menu was Asian inspired and there were so many incredible options, I could have chosen so many dishes and I’m sure I would have been happy. For my main course I had the most amazing fillet of sea bass, infused with oolong tea and set on a bed of spinach. The dessert - a chocolate bomb - was served with a bit of theatre as you watch it dissolve, while the waiter pours melted chocolate on top of it. Cocktails were flowing, music was loud but in the best way and it all made for the best atmosphere. It felt bougie and special without being too formal.
Choosing the right evening venues for a destination Hen Do is key. Somewhere you don’t get to see everyday, that feels like a real occasion, but still gives everyone the chance to let their hair down and have fun.
A Touch of Adventure: Castles & Gothic Vibes
To balance out the glam, we added a wild card, something a little different, to the itinerary than what a typical Hen Do might have…
A day just to explore Peles Castle and Bran Castle, the inspiration for the fictional settings in Resident Evil: Village and Dracula respectively. When in Romania, am I right? Anyone who knows me knows I’m a gamer, as well as a horror & vampire lover (Team Edward, btw) so it was only natural to visit Transylvania and get a complete fix of spooks while I was there. We also got the chance to visit the town of Brasov on the way, known for its medieval architecture, which also featured the cutest little shops and gothic style black church.
This trip was the perfect addition to an already incredible Hen Do. More grand, scenic, and seriously, what a place to get to visit together with your friends. It gave the weekend a completely different feel and it was great to explore some of the history of the country we were visiting.
This is something I always suggest when planning destination events - adding at least one cultural element - even if it’s a little unexpected. It makes the trip feel more unique and turns it into something deeper for the group than just a party weekend.
After such a long day, it was great to get back to the Airbnb, put our pjs on and have pamper night. Twilight was watched, McDonalds was ordered and face masks were ON. We played cute party games, including a sip & paint activity, and the girls wrote out the sweetest Advice for the Bride cards.
A Lighter Morning: Matcha & Pancakes at Mayfair 39
Not every minute of a Hen Do needs to be high energy. And this was one of those softer, indulgent highlights.
We had our final lunch at Mayfair 39, a cosy little spot in the centre of Bucharest. It was a chance to try another trending restaurant, but also to unpack everything we had enjoyed about the trip, during our last day in Romania. We had spent most of the wet Sunday morning out and about sightseeing and the café was a tempting respite from the rain. It was clearly very popular as there was a slight wait time to get in, but it was definitely worth it.
The pancakes we ordered were beautifully presented, almost too pretty to eat and were so light and fluffy. This was actually my first time ever trying matcha too, and I couldn’t believe I had never tried it. I was completely sold! My current obsession is the Cherry Vanilla Iced Matcha Latte from Costa Coffee btw. I haven’t even mentioned the best part of Mayfair 39 yet. This place has the most amazing bathroom I think I’ve ever had the fortune of stepping into in my whole life! Yes, I’m aware I’m raving about a bathroom. But we spent an unhealthy amount of time in there just having a photo shoot session, it was almost too lovely to go to waste…literally.
Little delights like this café are something I recommend building into every Hen itinerary. It gave us the chance to catch up properly and discuss all of our favourite moments of the weekend before heading for our flight home.
What Made It Work: The Evaluation
Looking back, the success of the Hen Weekend was mainly due to the amazing locations we picked, and even better company.
The balance of activities was also crucial:
Time to relax and time to celebrate
Planned moments and space to just go with the flow
A mix of luxury, fun and something a little different
As well as creating the perfect trip for myself as a bride, this balance is also what I aim to mirror for my couples. Experiences that feel effortless, look beautiful and are thoughtfully designed down to the details.
What I Thought Would Be Stressful…vs What Actually Was
I thought the hardest part would be choosing the destination, the aesthetic, the plans. It wasn’t. The real challenge? Coordinating people.
Different budgets, different schedules, different expectations. Trying to balance it all is where the pressure really comes in. Not the planning itself, but everything around it.
What Helped the Most
A few simple decisions made everything feel instantly more manageable:
Set a clear budget per person early so there’s no confusion, no awkwardness later
Lock in dates as soon as possible, waiting only makes it harder (and more expensive)
Book the key elements in advance - Accommodation and main plans first, everything else can follow
It’s not about doing more, it’s about doing the right things early
What People Forget
It’s never the big things, it’s the small details that get overlooked. Travel timings, who’s actually in charge on the day, outfits, bookings, deposits. Individually they seem minor, but together they’re what cause the most stress. The smoother the details, the smoother the experience.
What I’d Do Differently
Looking back, I’d keep it simpler:
More buffer time, so nothing feels rushed.
A less packed schedule, not every moment needs planning.
Let go of pleasing everyone, you can’t and you don’t need to.
Less pressure = more enjoyment.
This Is Exactly Why It Matters
When everything is planned properly, you feel the difference. You’re not thinking about timings or logistics; you’re actually present. Enjoying it, remembering it, living it. And that’s the whole point.
Planning Your Own Event? This Is What I Take Care Of For My Couples
Whether you’re dreaming of a full destination weekend like this, or something a little closer to home, the key is creating something that feels like it was meant for you. Traditionally the responsibility falls on the Maid of Honour, or someone close to the bride, but sometimes that can end up a little chaotic if they aren’t used to being in charge of things like this. Which is completely normal!
If you want it all to come together without the stress, or if you feel the person planning yours may need a little nudge along the way…Well, that’s what I’m here for.
Start planning your dream event
Until the next chapter,
Sadie x
