Apartmány Snow v centre Starého Smokovca

HOTEL OVERVIEW

Look, I’ll be honest – when I first pulled up to Apartmány Snow, I wasn’t expecting much from the outside. It’s this unassuming building right in the heart of Starý Smokovec, and you know how some places in the High Tatras can feel a bit… well, stuck in time. But honestly? This place totally surprised me.

The location is actually perfect if you’re planning to explore the mountains properly. You’re literally a two-minute walk from the funicular station that takes you up to Hrebienok – I mean, you can practically roll out of bed and be on the trails. And here’s something most people don’t realize: being right in the center means you’re close to that little grocery store and the pharmacy, which becomes super important when you’re staying for more than a night or two. The apartment setup is what really won me over though. These aren’t your typical cramped hotel rooms – you get actual space to spread out, a proper kitchenette (the coffee maker actually works, thank god), and the kind of setup where you can come back muddy from hiking and not feel like you’re destroying someone’s pristine hotel room. The beds are surprisingly comfortable too, and trust me, after a day of climbing around Skalnaté pleso, that matters more than you’d think.

What really struck me was how quiet it gets at night, despite being in the center of town. I guess Starý Smokovec isn’t exactly a party destination, but still – you can actually hear the wind in the trees, which is pretty nice when you’re used to city noise. The staff seems to know their stuff about the area too. When I asked about the weather conditions for the cable car up to Lomnický štít, they gave me the real scoop, not just the tourist office version. One thing to note – parking can be a bit tricky during peak season (July and August get pretty crazy), but there’s usually something available if you’re not too picky about walking an extra block or two. The building itself has that slightly dated Eastern European vibe, but in a charming way, not a depressing way. And honestly, for a 3-star place, it punches way above its weight. That 9 rating isn’t just tourists being generous – this place genuinely delivers on what it promises, which is a clean, comfortable base for exploring the Tatras without breaking the bank.