Green grounds, a river and hot water
Garden & relaxation
The largest room at Kojsówka is the one around the house.
On site
The garden
A very large green plot around the house. Room for a lounger, a blanket, children at play and conversation in the evening.
On site
The river
A path leads straight down to the water running alongside the grounds.
On site
The hot tub
An outdoor wood-fired hot tub. Using it costs 300 zł, and we agree the bathing time on the spot.
On site
Terrace, fire pit and barbecue
Room to rest outdoors and somewhere to spend a quiet evening by the fire.
Garden & relaxation
A place to stay in Witów with a riverside garden and a hot tub
Most guest houses in Podhale offer a room and a view from the window. At Kojsówka the important part happens outside: a very large green plot wraps around the house, with a path leading straight down to the river, a terrace, a spot for a bonfire and a barbecue, and a wood-fired garden hot tub. It is this side of the place that makes guests stay put rather than drive off every day.
A room by a mountain stream in Witów is searched for more often than you might think, and it is not hard to see why. Running water drowns out everything else, and in the evening, as the valley cools, mist rises off the river. For some guests that is the best ten minutes of the day.
The wood-fired hot tub
The tub stands in the garden and is heated by fire rather than electricity, so the water needs time to come up to temperature. That is why we agree the bathing time on the spot, usually in the morning or the day before, so that the tub is ready exactly when you get back from the trail. Use of the hot tub is charged separately and costs 300 zł.
It is at its most popular in winter, after a day on the slope, and in late autumn, when the gap between the water and the air makes the greatest impression. In summer it works best in the evening, after sunset. It is also one of the things guests most often name as the reason they come back to the same place.
The fire pit, the barbecue and the terrace
The garden has a place set up for a bonfire and a barbecue, with no separate area to reserve and no charge for a “package”. An evening by the fire is the natural end to the day, especially for a larger group or a family with children. The terrace, meanwhile, takes the role of the living room during the day: morning coffee, a book after lunch, conversation until sunset.
The amount of space around the house has one more advantage that families appreciate: children can run about, kick a ball and come back to the adults without leaving the grounds. The path down to the river of course needs supervision, but the plot itself is large enough that you do not have to watch every step.
Relaxing instead of a schedule
At Kojsówka the day does not need a programme. You can start with breakfast and head into the Tatras, but you can also stay, move a lounger into the shade and do absolutely nothing for a few hours. Far more guests take that option than say they will before arriving — usually on the third or fourth day, after a run of long walks in the mountains.
If a day in the garden leaves you wanting warm water on a larger scale, the Chochołowskie Thermal Baths are a few minutes away by car. That is a good option for weather that does not invite you onto the trails, and for days when the children have had enough of climbing.
An evening in the garden, step by step
The most common version goes like this: back from the trail around five, a while on the terrace, the fire lit under the tub, dinner off the barbecue, then a soak as dusk comes down. Once it is dark, the only thing making any noise is the river. It is a simple rhythm, but it is the reason guests extend their stays and come back the following season.
When the garden is at its best
In spring the grounds start to green up at about the time the crocuses bloom in the Chochołowska Valley — the shortest and the most photogenic moment of the year. In summer the garden is at its busiest: barbecues, fires and long evenings. Autumn brings colour and quiet, and in winter the snow makes the hot tub the main event. Each version has its followers, which is why guests come back at different times of year.
FAQ
Questions about the garden and the hot tub
Is there a charge for using the hot tub?
Yes, the hot tub is charged separately and costs 300 zł. We agree the bathing time on the spot, because water heated by fire needs time to warm up. It is best to say you would like to use it in the morning, or the day before.
How long does the hot tub take to heat up?
That depends on the season and the temperature outside, which is why we agree the time individually. In winter it takes longer than in summer, so it is worth asking in advance. That way the tub is ready exactly when you get back from the trail.
Can the hot tub be used in winter?
Yes — winter is when it is most popular and most striking. A soak in the snow and frost is one of those things guests talk about most. After a day at Witów Ski it is the natural way to end the evening.
Is there somewhere for a bonfire and a barbecue?
Yes, the garden has a place set up for both a bonfire and a barbecue. Using it does not require buying a separate package. We only ask that you tell us when you plan to light a fire.
Is the garden safe for children?
The plot around the house is large and green, so children have room to play without leaving the grounds. Bear in mind, though, that a path leads down to the river and that needs adult supervision. Parents usually settle quickly on where the children may go on their own.
Can you swim in the river?
It is a mountain stream. The water is cold and the level changes after rain, so we treat it as somewhere to sit, dip your feet and listen rather than to swim. Children should only be by the water with an adult. After heavy rain it is better to keep away from the bank.
Can a larger group use the garden?
Yes. The garden is shared by all guests, and when the whole house is hired it is at the disposal of that one group. That is a common arrangement for family gatherings and company trips. We settle the details in advance so that everyone staying can make their plans.
What is there to do on site when it rains?
In bad weather most guests head for the Chochołowskie Thermal Baths, a few minutes away by car. On site there is the dining room, the covered part of the terrace and the hot tub, which works just as well in the rain as in the sun. Zakopane, with its museums and Krupówki street, is a little over a quarter of an hour away.