Central Apartmany

Central Apartmany Overview

You know what surprised me about Central Apartmany? The name makes it sound like some generic apartment complex, but honestly, this place has way more character than half the fancy hotels I’ve stayed at in the Tatras. It’s right there in Starý Smokovec – and I mean *right there* – you can basically roll out of bed and onto the hiking trails if that’s your thing.

The building itself is this solid, no-nonsense kind of place that fits perfectly with the whole mountain village vibe. I mean, Starý Smokovec isn’t trying to be Gstaad or anything, and Central Apartmany gets that. The apartments are genuinely spacious (which is refreshing after staying in some of those cramped “boutique” places), and whoever designed them actually thought about how people live. The kitchens aren’t just for show – you can actually cook a proper meal, which is great because, let’s be honest, eating out for every meal in the mountains gets expensive fast. Plus, there’s something nice about making coffee in the morning and just looking out at the peaks while you plan your day.

What really sold me on this place was the staff – they’re locals who actually know the area, not just people reading from a script. When I asked about the best trail to Hrebienok, the guy at reception didn’t just hand me a generic map. He told me about the shortcut that saves you twenty minutes and which spots have the best views (and warned me about the section that gets muddy after rain, which saved my hiking boots). The location is honestly perfect if you’re here for the mountains – you’re a short walk from the funicular, and the main drag with all the restaurants and that little grocery store is right outside. But here’s the thing – even though you’re in the center of everything, it’s surprisingly quiet at night. I was worried about noise from the restaurants, but the windows are decent and the street calms down pretty early.

I’ll be straight with you – this isn’t a luxury resort. The décor is more “functional mountain lodge” than “Instagram-worthy,” and if you need a spa and room service, look elsewhere. But if you want a clean, comfortable base for exploring the High Tatras without paying resort prices, Central Apartmany is exactly what you need. The value is incredible, especially considering you get actual apartment space instead of a tiny hotel room. I ended up extending my stay by two days because, well, why leave when you’ve found a place that just works?