Willa Monia

HOTEL OVERVIEW

Honestly, when I first pulled up to Willa Monia on Droga do Olczy, I wasn’t sure what to expect – it’s tucked away from the main tourist drag in Zakopane, which actually turned out to be one of its best features. You know that feeling when you find a place that locals might actually stay at instead of just another tourist trap? That’s this place.

The thing about staying here is you’re far enough from the chaos of Krupówki Street (Zakopane’s main pedestrian zone) to actually get some sleep, but close enough that you can walk there in about fifteen minutes if you don’t mind a bit of uphill action. I mean, everything in Zakopane involves some kind of hill anyway, so you might as well embrace it. What I really appreciated was how quiet it gets at night – you can actually hear the wind through the trees instead of drunk tourists stumbling around until 2 AM. The rooms are pretty standard for a 3-star place, nothing fancy but clean and comfortable enough. The beds are firm (which I personally love after a day of hiking), and most rooms have decent views of the surrounding hills, though you’ll want to specify when booking if that matters to you.

The breakfast situation is solid – typical Polish fare with some mountain touches, and the coffee is actually drinkable, which isn’t always a given at smaller places like this. The staff genuinely seems to care about helping you figure out your day, whether you’re planning to hit the trails or just wander around town. They’ve got parking on-site too, which is honestly a godsend if you’re driving – finding a spot in central Zakopane can be a nightmare, especially during peak season or winter when everyone’s here for the skiing. One thing I’d mention is that the wi-fi can be a bit spotty in some rooms (the ones facing the back of the building seem to struggle more), but if you’re here to disconnect and enjoy the mountains, that might not bother you. The location really grows on you – there’s something nice about walking back from dinner and gradually leaving the tourist noise behind as you head up toward the guesthouse. Plus, you’re positioned perfectly for exploring some of the less crowded hiking trails that start from this side of town, and it’s an easy bus ride or drive to the cable car stations if you’re planning to hit Kasprowy Wierch or Gubałówka.