Apartamenty & Spa Stara Polana

HOTEL OVERVIEW

Honestly, when I first pulled up to Apartamenty & Spa Stara Polana on Nowotarska Street, I wasn’t expecting much – you know how some places look better in photos? Well, this was actually the opposite. The building has this understated elegance that doesn’t scream “look at me” but somehow feels more sophisticated because of it. And the location – I mean, you’re literally a few minutes’ walk from Zakopane’s main strip, but far enough away that you don’t hear the tourist crowds stumbling back from the bars at midnight.

What really got me was the spa situation. Look, I’ve stayed at plenty of places that claim to have spa facilities, and usually it’s just a sad little room with a massage table and some candles. But here? They’ve actually thought it through. The treatment rooms have this mountain lodge vibe – lots of wood, soft lighting, and you can actually smell the pine from outside. I spent an embarrassing amount of time in their sauna after hiking Giewont (pro tip: book your spa treatments before you go out for the day, because everyone has the same idea when they get back). The staff there really knows their stuff too – they recommended this local honey treatment that I’d never heard of but left my skin feeling incredible.

The apartments themselves are spacious in a way that’s rare for Zakopane – most places here are either cramped pensions or massive resort hotels with zero personality. These hit that sweet spot where you’ve got room to actually unpack and spread out, plus a proper kitchenette if you want to grab some oscypek from the market and make yourself a simple dinner. The mountain views from the upper floors are pretty spectacular, especially in the morning when the light hits the Tatras just right. I will say the Wi-Fi can be a bit spotty during peak season when everyone’s trying to upload their hiking photos, but honestly, that’s half the charm of being here. Parking was surprisingly easy too – they’ve got their own spaces, which is a godsend because finding a spot in central Zakopane during summer or ski season is basically impossible. The whole place has this calm, grown-up atmosphere that’s perfect if you’re looking to actually relax rather than party. It’s the kind of spot where you end up extending your stay because leaving feels like too much effort.