The 1,201 m (3,940 ft)-high pass connects Bistrița (Transylvania) with Vatra Dornei (Bukovina, Moldavia).

The Tihuța Pass is crossed by national road DN17 [ro] (part of European route E58), which starts in Dej and ends in Suceava.

The hotel has become quite an attraction due to its architectural style of a medieval villa, as well as the connection to the novel.

[1] Close to the Tihuța Pass is the Piatra Fântânele Monastery [ro], which dates from 1928.

The ensemble is dominated by a 31 m (102 ft) metal cross; built in 2010, this is the tallest such structure in Romania.