Mountain Base – Dwupoziomowy apartament “Przy lesie II” z prywatnym jacuzzi w Kościelisku

Honestly, I wasn’t sure what to expect when I first pulled up to this place on Rysulówka – it’s tucked away in this quiet corner of Kościelisko that feels worlds apart from the tourist chaos you get closer to Zakopane. The “Przy lesie II” part of the name literally means “by the forest,” and they’re not kidding around. You’re basically surrounded by trees, which is exactly what you want when you’re trying to escape city life for a few days.

The apartment itself is spread across two levels, and I mean, the jacuzzi situation is legit – it’s actually private, not some tiny thing squeezed into a corner. After spending the day hiking around the Tatras (the trails from Kościelisko are honestly some of the best-kept secrets in the area), soaking in that hot water while looking out at the forest was pretty much perfect. The whole setup feels like someone’s really nice mountain house rather than a typical rental property, you know? There’s this attention to detail that makes it feel lived-in rather than sterile. The kitchen’s well-stocked enough that you can actually cook if you want to – which is great because while Kościelisko has some solid local spots, sometimes you just want to grab groceries in nearby Zakopane and make your own thing.

What really sold me on this place was how quiet it gets at night. I’m talking proper mountain quiet – no traffic, just the occasional rustle of wind through the pines. During the day, you’re close enough to everything that matters (it’s maybe a 10-minute drive to Zakopane’s main drag, 15 if there’s tourist traffic), but far enough away that you’re not dealing with crowds or noise. The parking situation is straightforward, which honestly matters more than people think when you’re hauling ski gear or hiking equipment. Check-in was smooth – the kind of experience where someone clearly explained how everything works rather than just handing you keys and disappearing. And look, I’ll be straight with you – this isn’t budget accommodation, but for what you’re getting (that jacuzzi alone, plus the space, plus the location), it actually feels pretty reasonable. The 9-rating makes sense when you experience it; it’s the kind of place where small things are done right, and after a few days, you’re already thinking about when you can come back.