Apartamenty pod Giewontem SPA

HOTEL OVERVIEW

Look, I’ll be honest – when I first pulled up to Apartamenty pod Giewontem SPA on Do Tadziaków street, I wasn’t sure what to expect. The name’s a mouthful, and it’s tucked away in this quieter part of Zakopane that most tourists completely miss. But you know what? That actually turned out to be its biggest selling point.

The place sits in this sweet spot where you’re close enough to walk into the main town center (maybe 15 minutes if you don’t mind a bit of uphill), but far enough from all the chaos around Krupówki street that you can actually sleep at night. I mean, if you’ve ever tried to get rest near the main pedestrian zone during peak season – well, let’s just say the party doesn’t stop. Here though, you wake up to mountain views instead of drunk tourists singing folk songs at 2 AM. The Giewont peak literally looms right there in front of you, and honestly, having that view from your apartment window never gets old.

What really surprised me was how spacious these apartments actually are. For a 3-star place, they’ve got this figured out – proper kitchenettes where you can actually cook (not just those sad little coffee stations), separate living areas, and bathrooms that don’t make you feel like you’re showering in a phone booth. The SPA part isn’t huge or fancy, but after a day hiking the Tatras or dealing with the summer crowds, that sauna hits differently. The whole setup feels more like staying at a friend’s mountain place than a typical hotel, which I guess is the point with apartment-style accommodations.

Parking’s included, which – trust me on this – is worth its weight in gold in Zakopane. I’ve seen people circle the main streets for an hour looking for a spot, paying through the nose for the privilege. Here, you just pull up and you’re done. The staff speaks decent English too, though they’re much more animated in Polish (overheard some pretty entertaining conversations about local hiking conditions). Check-in was straightforward, no drama, though they do prefer if you arrive before evening since the front desk isn’t 24/7.

The 8-out-of-10 rating makes perfect sense to me – it’s not trying to be the Ritz, but it nails what it’s actually going for. Clean, comfortable, practical, with that mountain lodge vibe that doesn’t feel forced or touristy. Plus, you’re positioned perfectly for day trips – Morskie Oko is an easy drive, the cable car up Kasprowy Wierch is accessible, and when you want authentic highlander food, you can walk to spots the locals actually eat at instead of the tourist traps. It’s one of those places where you end up staying longer than planned because, well, why complicate a good thing?