Apartamenty Martushka

Look, I’ve stayed at a lot of places in the Sudetes, but Apartamenty Martushka on Dolna street really caught me off guard – and I mean that in the best way possible. When you first pull up to this spot in Karpacz, it doesn’t scream “luxury” from the outside, but honestly, that’s part of what makes it so genuine. The building sits quietly on Dolna 18A, which – if you know Karpacz at all – puts you in this perfect sweet spot where you’re close enough to hear the buzz from the main drag but far enough that you’re not dealing with drunk tourists stumbling past your window at 2 AM.

The apartments themselves are… well, they’re actually thoughtfully put together. I mean, you can tell someone who understands what travelers need designed these spaces. The kitchens aren’t those sad afterthoughts you usually get in “aparthotels” – they’re properly equipped, which matters when you’ve been hiking Śnieżka all day and just want to cook some pierogi without hunting for a decent pan. The beds are firm (thank god), and the windows are double-glazed, which you’ll appreciate if you’re there during winter when the wind comes whipping down from the mountains. What really got me though was the little details – proper hangers in the closets, enough outlets near the bed, shower pressure that doesn’t make you question your life choices.

Here’s the thing about this place that the 9.3 rating actually reflects: it’s run by people who seem to give a damn. Check-in was smooth – no standing around for twenty minutes while someone fumbles with a ancient computer system – and when I had a question about parking (which, by the way, is included and not some €15-per-night robbery), they actually knew the answer immediately. The location on Dolna street means you’re maybe a seven-minute walk to the cable car station if you’re heading up to Kopa, and there’s this little grocery store practically next door that stays open later than you’d expect. In summer, you’re perfectly positioned for the hiking trails without being stuck in that tourist chaos around the main square, and in winter – well, you’re close enough to the ski areas but you can actually get some sleep. I stayed there in late October, and honestly, watching the fog roll through the pine trees from the apartment window with a cup of coffee in hand… that’s the kind of moment that makes you remember why you travel in the first place.