Apartmán Pri Lese

HOTEL OVERVIEW

You know what struck me first about Apartmán Pri Lese? The name literally means “apartment by the forest” and they’re not kidding around – step outside and you’re basically in the woods. It’s tucked away on Horská street in Veľký Slavkov, which honestly feels like one of those Slovak mountain towns that tourism hasn’t completely discovered yet. The building itself is pretty straightforward, nothing fancy, but that 9-star rating makes sense once you settle in. The owners actually seem to care about the details that matter – like having enough hot water (trust me, not always a given in mountain accommodations) and windows that actually keep the cold out during those brutal High Tatras winters.

What I really appreciated was how quiet it gets at night. I mean, you’re literally surrounded by forest, so instead of traffic noise you get the occasional owl or rustling leaves. The apartment setup works perfectly if you’re planning to stay more than just a night or two – there’s actual kitchen space where you can prep your own meals, which is clutch since dining options in Veľký Slavkov are pretty limited after 8 PM. The location puts you right in hiking territory without having to drive anywhere, and if you’re into skiing, you’re close enough to the bigger resorts but far enough away to avoid the crowds and inflated prices. Parking was straightforward too, which honestly surprised me since a lot of these mountain places make you walk half a kilometer with your luggage.

The three-star rating feels about right – it’s not luxury, but everything works and it’s clean and comfortable. What really sets it apart is that it feels like staying at someone’s well-maintained mountain cabin rather than a sterile hotel room. The check-in was refreshingly simple, and the hosts gave me solid local recommendations (there’s apparently a great traditional Slovak restaurant about ten minutes down the road that I never would have found otherwise). If you’re looking for a base camp for exploring the region rather than a place to spend all your time lounging around, this works perfectly. Just pack some groceries on your way in – the nearest proper supermarket is back toward the main road, and you’ll probably want coffee and breakfast stuff on hand for those early morning hikes.