Chłabówka Apartments

HOTEL OVERVIEW

You know what struck me first about Chłabówka Apartments? The quiet. I mean, you’re still technically in Zakopane, but being up in Chłabówka Górna feels like you’ve escaped to this little pocket where the tour buses don’t venture. The address might look intimidating if you’re not familiar with Polish, but honestly, once you find it on that hillside street, you’ll get why locals love this area.

The apartments themselves are pretty solid for what you’re paying – nothing fancy, but everything works and the beds are actually comfortable (which, let me tell you, isn’t always a given in mountain towns). What I really appreciated was the kitchen setup because eating out every meal in Zakopane gets expensive fast, and there’s something nice about making coffee in the morning while looking out at the Tatras. The owners seem to have thought about the little things too – decent Wi-Fi, proper heating for those chilly mountain evenings, and enough space that you don’t feel like you’re living in a shoebox. Parking was straightforward, which is honestly a relief because trying to navigate Zakopane’s main streets with a car during peak season is… well, let’s just say it’s character-building.

Here’s the thing about the location though – you’ll want a car or be prepared for some walking. It’s about a 15-minute walk down to Krupówki (the main tourist street), which is totally doable and actually kind of nice because you get to see the residential side of town. But coming back uphill after a long day of hiking? Your legs will remind you why mountain towns are built on slopes. The trade-off is worth it though – you’re close enough to hit the trails early (Gubałówka is practically next door), but far enough from the crowds that you can actually sleep at night. During summer, when Zakopane gets absolutely packed, that bit of distance from the chaos is golden. I stayed here in late September and the whole area had this peaceful, end-of-season vibe that made me want to extend my trip. For a three-star place, it punches above its weight – not because it’s trying to be something it’s not, but because it does the basics really well.