Ośrodek Szpulki

This is an old communist style holiday accommodation in central Zakopane but don’t let that put you off. I paid only £15 per night and it was spotlessly clean, comfortable and also very cool as it’s surrounded by forests which was very welcome given the hot weather. The communal bathrooms were also clean and functional.

Nothing

For this price point it's a basic communal apartment experience. On my 2nd floor there were 18 rooms, with multiple beds per room. Men's and women's bathrooms are separated, there are 4 showers closed by curtains per bathroom. My apartment didn't include a private bathroom, neither a towel. There were no cameras in corridors, there was old ugly carpet flooring everywhere. A lot of old furniture and facilities, not beds though. My bed was a little hard, I don't mind it but I know some people with painful backs that might not sleep well on it. There's a balcony but the building has interconnected balconies per floor. Cleanliness wasn't perfect, not too bad either. Also, in one of shared kitchens some people cooked and left counters dirty and the sink full of dirty dishes. Even though, the walls of apartments aren't that thin like in some other places, I still had to experience a night, where at 4 or 5 AM someone was loudly knocking on some door. So the experience depends on your neighbours. Bring your earmuffs, which is generally a must. BTW, you need 8PLN in cash for the town's tax.

The kitchen could be more equipped

The only plus is the view of Giewont.

This isn't a 3-star hotel, but an 80s flophouse with careless renovations: old radiators, doors, wiring, and plumbing. No soundproofing, no mirrors. The 8.0 rating is a joke. Just an overpriced hostel for a “crash and sleep” scenario.