Overview
You know what caught me off guard about Willa Joanna? I honestly wasn’t expecting much from a 3-star place on Salwatoriańska – I mean, it’s not exactly the main drag in Zakopane – but this little guesthouse totally surprised me. The building itself has that classic Podhale mountain style, but without all the touristy kitsch you see everywhere else in town. When I first walked in, there was this warm pine smell mixed with something like fresh bread coming from somewhere, and the owner (I think it was Joanna herself, actually) greeted me like I was staying at her actual house.
The location is honestly perfect if you know Zakopane at all. You’re about a 10-minute walk from Krupówki – close enough that you can stumble back after trying too many oscypek samples and local beer, but far enough that you don’t hear the street musicians and party crowds at night. What I really loved was how easy it was to get to the Tatra trails from here. You can literally walk to some of the cable car stations, and there’s this little bakery just around the corner where locals actually go (not just tourists) for proper highland bread. The parking situation is… well, it’s Zakopane, so don’t expect miracles, but they do have a small lot and the owner helped me figure out the street parking situation without the usual tourist markup.
Here’s the thing though – this isn’t some fancy spa hotel with marble everything. The rooms are clean and comfortable, sure, but what makes Willa Joanna special is that it feels authentic. I stayed during shoulder season in late September, and honestly, it was perfect. The other guests were mostly Polish families and some German hikers, not the usual tour bus crowds. Breakfast was simple but really good – proper regional stuff, not the international buffet nonsense. The owner actually gave me tips about which trails to avoid because of weather (saved me a soggy day on Giewont), and when I mentioned I was interested in local woodworking, she connected me with her neighbor who has a workshop. You just don’t get that kind of personal touch at the big chain places down on Krupówki. The WiFi worked fine, the shower had good pressure, and – this might sound weird but it matters – the beds were actually comfortable, not those rock-hard things you sometimes get in mountain guesthouses. If you’re looking for a genuine Zakopane experience without the tourist trap markup, this is your spot.
Guest reviews
We arrived at around 3.10pm, and we rang the bell. The person in charge ( I believe it's Ms Joanna herself ) came and opened the door, and showed us to our room. The room was already heated, with beautiful, minimalist decorations and amazing fleece blanket. The bathroom was super clean and comforting, with hot showers especially after a long day of travelling.
The breakfast the next day was exceptional. There was so many varieties, and they all tastes amazing! On the first day, the coffee machine broke , so I was left without my coffee, but Ms Joanna kindly made me a cup just the way I wanted it. It truly felt like home.
The next day it snowed heavily and we tried getting a taxi to the train station, but being a public holiday there was none, so Matt, her husband, graciously helped us with our bags and drove us to the train station. This is truly an exceptional property with exceptional hospitality and kindness. We are definitely coming back again when we have the chance and if you are heading to Zakopane, you'll never regret staying here.
Thank you Mr Matt and Ms Joanna, we truly loved everything and look forward to stay again.
Everything was perfect, the delicious breakfast and the super attentive hostess, I highly recommend it. Close to restaurants and a supermarket, not far from the centre
Clean Room with attached bath, nice open space in the basement with pool ball ))
Everything very cute, i have one single room :)
Bed was perfect :)
Very nice breakfast!
The rooms were very clean. The owner of the accommodation was an exceptionally kind-hearted person. The breakfast was beyond excellent; I had never seen such a rich Polish breakfast before. It is located in a quiet area with nearby grocery stores, pizza restaurants, and safari vehicle rentals. Thank you,
Ms. Joanna! See you in Summer!
Very welcoming owner, neet room with comfy bed. Excellent breakfast for different taste buds. Very quiet place as well sourrounding. Close to mountain trails.
Our room was nicer and bigger than we thought, very cozy.
We could even see a bit of the mountains from the toilet window. :) It was nice that we received small chocolates and water upon arrival. There were small empty baskets on the shelves that you could put things in, so this was also a thoughtful thing on the part of the host.
The location is very good, close to the city center and Tatrzański Park Narodowy on foot. There are a few restaurants nearby (we recommend Pizza Regina), shops and a pharmacy.
The accommodation itself is cozy, the whole apartment is well-kept and loving. It has soul, I like the equipment.
I loved the look of the kitchen, amazingly cozy. The breakfasts are really wonderful, we were at other accommodations during our trip, but Joanna's breakfast is very delicious and varied. I would highlight the egg cream, I had to eat it every day, and the baked goods are also very delicious. On our last day, there was also a coffee machine, not just instant coffee, which I was very happy about.
Very cheap accommodation, nice and clean.
Everything was great. Very good breakfast with plenty to choose from.
Everything was great. Really friendly and hospitable host. Amazing breakfast!
Cosy atmosphere and lovely staff. Breakfast is exceptional and plenty.
