Poland - Eastern Europe - page 438

Punkt (Ko 1 ciuszki 17; & 018/200-01-77; www.tourist-punkt.pl). The helpful staff
maintains lists of dozens of private rooms, pensions, and hotels at every price point.
Simply describe what you're looking for and they will fix you up. Another private
agency, Zwyrto l ka, two doors down toward town (Ko 1 ciuszki 15; & 018/201-52-12 ),
maintains a list of rooms. Both agencies can help arrange day trips, including excur-
sions to Slovakia, as well as sell lift passes and advise on things like ski and bike rental.
WHERE TO STAY
Hotel rates in Zakopane are high, and this is one town where you may want to con-
sider staying in a pension or private room. These abound. If you arrive in town early,
simply walk around and inquire where you see signs saying WOLNY POKOJE or
NOCLEGI . Or to save time, try Tourist Punkt (see above). They maintain an extensive
database of private accommodations (with photos) and will happily book you a room.
Make sure to specify that you want to be in the center, otherwise they may try to place
you in a far-flung corner of town. Expect to pay about 50 z l ($17/£9) a person for a
private room. Hotel and room rates rise considerably in the week between Christmas
and New Year's. Aside from that, January, February, and August are the busiest times
of the year, and pre-booking is essential. The rates below are for summer and winter
season, outside of the Christmas and New Year period.
Very Expensive
Hotel Belvedere At the moment, the classiest place to stay in Zakopane. The
ambience here is the 1920s, but updated with extras like a Roman spa and a game
room, with a bowling alley and other more-modern pursuits. The in-house restaurant
is top-notch. The real advantage is location, about 2km (1 1 ⁄ 4 miles) outside of the cen-
ter. That makes it a 10- to 15-minute walk to Krupówki, but means you can also
escape the masses and enjoy the mountains if you want. One of the nicest hiking trails
along the Bia l a river valley starts just above the hotel's doors.
Droga do Bialego 3. & 018/202-12-00. Fax [phone]. www.belvederehotel.pl. 175 units. 690 zl ($230/£140)
double. AE, DC, MC, V. Amenities: Restaurant; indoor swimming pool; spa; bike and ski rental; concierge; business
center; shopping arcade; salon; room service; dry cleaning; nonsmoking rooms. In room:A/C, TV, dataport, minibar,
hair dryer, safe.
Hotel Litwor This luxury hotel occupying a handsome mountain chalet admit-
tedly looks a little out of place in the middle of busy Krupówki street. When it opened
in 1999, the hotel claimed to be the first four-star hotel in this part of Poland. Cer-
tainly it's still one of the best in town, but the Belvedere offers more of a feeling of
exclusivity, and when reconstruction is finished at the Grand Hotel Stamary, it may
be better than both. The rooms are well proportioned and furnished in contemporary
browns and blues. Ask for one with a view to the mountains. Wi-Fi Internet access is
available throughout the hotel.
Krupówki 40. & 018/202-42-00. Fax [phone]. www.litwor.pl. 63 units. 575 zl ($192/£100) double. AE, DC,
MC, V. Amenities: Restaurant; indoor swimming pool; fitness room; spa; bike and ski rental; concierge; salon; limited
room service; dry cleaning; nonsmoking rooms. In room:A/C, TV, minibar, hair dryer.
Expensive
Grand Hotel Stamary This beautifully restored turn-of-the-20th-cen-
tury manor hotel whisks you away to those stylish 1920s and 1930s with its elegant
lobby and cocktail bar, and wide corridors with dark-wood flooring. The period

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