Apartament Kolodziej

HOTEL OVERVIEW

Honestly, when I first pulled up to Apartament Kolodziej on Cyrhla Street, I wasn’t expecting much – it’s tucked away in this quiet residential area about a 10-minute walk from Zakopane’s main strip, and the building looks pretty understated from the outside. But you know what? Sometimes those unassuming places end up being exactly what you need, especially when you’re trying to escape the tourist chaos that Krupówki Street can become during peak season.

The apartment itself is one of those solid, no-nonsense places that just works. I mean, it’s not going to win any design awards, but everything’s clean and functional, and honestly, that’s what matters when you’re spending your days hiking in the Tatras and just need somewhere comfortable to crash. The owner clearly knows what travelers actually need – there’s decent Wi-Fi (which can be hit or miss in some Zakopane spots), a proper kitchen if you want to grab groceries from the nearby Biedronka instead of eating out every meal, and the heating works well, which is crucial if you’re visiting in winter. The bed was surprisingly comfortable too, and believe me, after a day of trudging up to Morskie Oko, you’ll appreciate that.

What I really liked about the location is that you’re close enough to walk to the main attractions – maybe 8-10 minutes to get to the heart of things – but far enough away that you’re not dealing with the crowds of drunk tourists stumbling around at night. You can actually hear yourself think, and if you’re lucky enough to get a room facing the right direction, you’ll catch glimpses of the mountains through the surrounding buildings. The neighborhood feels genuinely Polish rather than like a tourist theme park, which I found refreshing. There’s a decent pierogi place just around the corner that locals actually go to (I never caught the name, but it’s got that hand-written menu taped to the window), and parking isn’t the nightmare it can be closer to the center – though in summer, you’ll still want to get back before evening when day-trippers start heading home. The only minor downside I noticed was that the walls are a bit thin, so if your neighbors are early risers or night owls, you might hear them moving around. But for the price point and the overall experience, it’s definitely worth considering, especially if you’re more interested in using Zakopane as a base for mountain adventures rather than just hanging out in the touristy bits of town.