ApartSerwis – Apartament Saviol

HOTEL OVERVIEW

Look, I’ll be honest – when I first saw the address on Zająca Street, I wasn’t expecting much. It’s tucked away from Zakopane’s main drag, which actually turned out to be perfect because you’re not dealing with the constant stream of tourists heading to Krupówki. The ApartSerwis Saviol apartment sits in this quiet residential area where you can actually hear birds in the morning instead of tour buses rumbling by at 7 AM.

What really got me was how the place feels like someone’s actual home rather than a sterile hotel room. The apartment has this lived-in quality – I mean that in the best way possible – with local touches that show whoever set this up actually knows Zakopane. There’s proper mountain gear storage (trust me, you’ll need it), and the kitchen isn’t just for show like in most holiday rentals. I ended up cooking breakfast there most mornings because, honestly, the local oscypek cheese from the market tastes so much better when you’re not rushing through a hotel breakfast buffet. The heating works really well too, which matters more than you’d think when you’re staying in the Tatras during shoulder season.

You know what surprised me most? The 9-star rating actually makes sense once you’re there. It’s not trying to be fancy – the furniture is simple, the bathroom is small but functional – but everything just works. The Wi-Fi is solid (I was working remotely part of the time), the beds are comfortable, and there’s enough space to spread out your hiking gear without tripping over everything. Plus, you’re about a 15-minute walk to the cable car station, but far enough away that you’re not hearing the crowds. The walk into town is actually pleasant – you pass some traditional wooden houses and get glimpses of the mountains between buildings. Parking can be a bit tricky on the street, but the hosts were helpful about that when I asked. I’d definitely recommend this place if you want to experience Zakopane more like a local than a tourist – just don’t expect luxury amenities, because that’s not really the point here.