Willa Trawers

HOTEL OVERVIEW

Look, I’ll be honest – when I first pulled up to Willa Trawers on Zamoyskiego street, I wasn’t expecting much from a 3-star place. But you know what? Sometimes the best surprises come in unassuming packages, and this little pension absolutely proved that point.

The thing about staying here is that you’re actually living like a local for a few days. Zamoyskiego is this quiet residential street that most tourists never find – it’s tucked away from the main Krupówki chaos but still close enough that you can walk to all the action in about ten minutes. I mean, you’ll pass actual Zakopane families on their way to work, kids heading to school, the whole authentic mountain town vibe that gets lost when you’re staying right in the tourist center. The hosts clearly put real thought into this place – my room had these gorgeous wooden details that felt properly highlander without being kitschy, and honestly, the bed was better than some 4-star places I’ve crashed in. What really got me though was how quiet it stays at night. You’re far enough from the party crowd that you can actually hear the wind in the trees, which is sort of the whole point of coming to the Tatras, right?

Here’s what I wish someone had told me before booking: parking is included (massive win during peak season), but more importantly, the owners actually know Zakopane. Not just the obvious stuff – they pointed me toward this incredible oscypek vendor that locals use, completely different from the tourist traps on Krupówki. They also gave me the real scoop on trail conditions, which saved me from attempting Morskie Oko on a day when it was absolutely packed with tour buses. The breakfast situation is simple but solid – proper regional bread, local honey, nothing fancy but exactly what you want before heading out for a day of hiking. I actually found myself looking forward to those quiet morning conversations over coffee, getting tips about which trails to hit based on the weather. The whole experience just felt… genuine, I guess? Like staying with mountain people who happen to rent rooms, rather than some corporate hotel that could be anywhere. Sure, it’s not luxury – the bathroom’s compact and you won’t find a spa or room service – but that 9-point rating makes total sense when you consider what you’re actually getting for the price and location.