ARIES Hotel & SPA

Christmas decorations were amazing, and the staff were very friendly. The room was large and cozy, with a big balcony. The breakfast buffet was great, and the sauna area was small but nice. The hotel is right by the centre, shops, and restaurants. The sauna was often used by Polish and Hungarian guests coming from the pool in wet bathing suits, including in the 70-90 degree chambers. They seemed to treat it like a five-minute amusement park attraction and didn’t understand sauna etiquette. Staff should enforce textile-free entry. It can feel unpleasant if you’re the only one following the rules. There were only a few Polish TV channels. Everything throughout the hotel, and the country, was written only in Polish. For a hotel advertising itself as five star, I find it unacceptable to have no international TV in the rooms and no English language communication. Casting from an iPhone or laptop to the TV didn’t work despite following its instructions. Casting from an Android phone worked once by accident, but I couldn’t get it to work again.

Our room had a playful mountain-chic look, and it was well maintained during our stay. The only problem was that on our second night both duvets were damp, one all along the edge and the other with a large wet patch in the centre. The spa was a real highlight, with a peaceful atmosphere and a great range of treatments. We enjoyed our sessions there, and the indoor pool was inviting. After sightseeing or a spa visit, the two covered outdoor jacuzzis were a lovely way to unwind. Breakfast offered an impressive choice of fresh, high-quality food, including mountain cheeses, cured meats, smoked and marinated fish, traditional Polish salads, made-to-order eggs, and complimentary champagne. We also had dinner at Halka Restaurant. The beetroot soup was tasty but rich, the foie gras was beautifully prepared, and the saddle of lamb was tender and delicious. Aries Hotel & Spa sits right in the heart of Zakopane, and its Alpine-inspired style feels authentic and cozy against the Tatra Mountains. Despite the unfortunate duvet issue, we had a very enjoyable stay and appreciated the comfort, character, and thoughtful amenities.

Before we arrived, Mateusz Topór, the hotel’s concierge, gave us warm, personal help and patiently shared great suggestions for the hotel and area. The whole team helped make our stay feel perfect, and we’re very grateful. The snowy mountain views from the spacious, clean rooms were breathtaking. We also loved the spa, with its pool, sauna, and outdoor jacuzzi, which made for a relaxing, luxurious break. Breakfast was plentiful, varied, and absolutely delicious. The hotel itself is stunning!

The location is wonderful, and the traditional wooden decor is very appealing. When we arrived, we were offered tea or hot wine in the lobby. The concierge team were knowledgeable and helpful, the only people we found to be so. The New Year’s Eve meal had five courses, but each was followed by a wait of 30 minutes to an hour. There was no food available during the day, so we were hungry even after eating lunch outside the property. The portions were small and the dishes lacked creativity and taste. I ate only two courses because the main dish was terrible. January 1 was worse. The hotel was heavily understaffed, and breakfast and dinner were dry, tasteless, and very limited in choice. I ate the bare minimum to avoid going hungry. A family member ate the goulash and got food poisoning. Restaurant service was so poor that we had to pour our own water, and plates piled up without anyone clearing them while we sat there. On January 2, there were more staff at breakfast, but the food was still poor quality. A nice hotel in a great location, but the service was poor and the food was boring, overly salty, or tasteless.