Hotel Gromada Zakopane - Zakopane, Poland     

Arriving in Zakopane without reservations, we walked up to this property right on Ul.Krupowki, where all the action is. Shops, restaurants, bars, souvenir shops, street vendors, mimes, and street artists make for a lively scene right out front. The hotel is in a rather nondescript 4-story building with a fast elevator. Our room with a view of the snowy peaks and facing a side street was basic, somewhat dated but functional and clean. The twin beds had firm, comfortable mattresses, and the bathroom with a stall shower had been updated with new fixtures, and albeit small, served for our one night stay. A writing desk, TV, and phone rounded out the appointments. Free parking was available on hotel property out front and secure paid parking was said to be 50 yd away. We parked our new Volvo out front with no problem. Breakfast was offered buffet style with a very nice selection of cold cuts, cheese, breads and buns, and apple pie but no fruit. It was served in the bar/restaurant area which is abundantly decorated with US memorabilia, including license plates from a number of states. We had been forewarned by the reception staff that on a Friday night it may get a little lively in the street, but we thought closing our window will take care of it. Well, it was not to be. Noisy party goers could be heard, a stunt motorcycle driver did spin-outs nearby, and the street cleaning truck aroused a dog well before 6.a.m., whose barking made an alarm clock unnecessary. The rate of 170 Zloty, approx. US$ 80 including breakfast put this hotel into the category of budget hotels, yet one can not recommend it for a Friday night stay, unless one happens to be a sound sleeper.

Central - handy for funicular & local buses/bus station to take you to the start of walks. good food & plenty of choice at breakfast. Rooms clean & comfortable, if a little dated - with good views from the front. Noisy early in the evening - but quiet by 10/11pm. Enjoyed our stay. Very impressed with private mini buses awaiting you when you finally reach tarmac again from a long hike & take you right back to hotel!!