Apartament Miś

HOTEL OVERVIEW

You know what struck me first about Apartament Miś? The name itself – “Miś” means “teddy bear” in Polish, and honestly, that’s exactly the vibe you get when you walk in. It’s this cozy little place tucked away on Cyrhla street, which is actually perfect because you’re close enough to Zakopane’s main drag to walk everywhere, but far enough out that you won’t have drunk tourists stumbling past your window at 2 AM.

The thing about staying here is that it feels more like crashing at a friend’s place than checking into a hotel. I mean, sure, it’s technically a 3-star spot, but whoever’s running this place clearly cares about the details that actually matter. The apartment itself is properly warm – and trust me, that’s not a given in Zakopane during shoulder season when the mountain weather can be unpredictable. You’ll find little touches that show someone’s thinking about your comfort: decent Wi-Fi (tested it for work calls, no issues), a kitchen that’s actually stocked with useful stuff, not just random mismatched plates. The bathroom has good water pressure too, which is honestly a relief after you’ve spent the day hiking around the Tatras.

What I really appreciate is the location knowledge you get by staying here. The hosts seem to understand that people come to Zakopane for the mountains, not just the tourist traps on Krupówki street. From Cyrhla, you can actually walk to some of the better trailheads without dealing with the crazy parking situation at the more popular spots – locals know this, but most tourists don’t figure it out until day three of their trip. The neighborhood itself has that authentic Zakopane feel with the traditional wooden architecture, but without the souvenir shop chaos. There’s a decent grocery store within walking distance, and you’re maybe ten minutes on foot from the cable car if you want to head up to Kasprowy Wierch without the hassle of driving and parking.

The 9-star rating makes sense once you’ve been there a few days. It’s not trying to be fancy – you won’t find a spa or room service – but everything works the way it should. Check-in was straightforward, the place was spotless, and the beds are actually comfortable (not those saggy mattresses you sometimes get in mountain towns). I stayed during late spring when Zakopane can be sort of between seasons, and the apartment stayed consistently comfortable regardless of whether it was sunny or doing that thing where it rains sideways for three hours. Plus, there’s something satisfying about having your own space to spread out after a long day on the trails, maybe cook something simple, and plan the next day’s adventure without feeling like you’re bothering hotel staff or dealing with thin walls and noisy neighbors.