FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to what guests ask us most often. Can't find what you're looking for? Get in touch via the contact form.

About the cottage

How many people can stay at the cottage?

The cottage sleeps up to 20 people across seven rooms. We always rent the whole house out as one unit — you don't need to fill every bed.

Is the owner present during our stay?

The cottage has a structurally and acoustically separate half where the owner stays during your visit. It has its own entrance and parking space, so you have complete privacy in your part. At the same time, someone is nearby if you need anything — but if you'd rather not, we don't have to cross paths at all during your stay.

Is the cottage suitable for several families together?

Yes. Most often we host three to five families who want to spend time together while still having enough space of their own. Extended families also frequently choose the cottage for reunions.

Is the area around the cottage quiet?

Yes. Chalupa Na hráni is a place for guests looking for rest, nature and mountain calm. Quiet evenings and respect for the surrounding nature are a given for us.

What are the check-in and check-out times?

Check-in is from 3 PM, check-out by 10 AM. If occupancy allows, you can arrive earlier or leave later — always by prior arrangement, on request.

How does arrival and key handover work?

We always arrange the key handover individually after you book. On arrival, please have ID documents ready for all guests, as we need to register them in the guest book.

How should the cottage be cleaned before departure?

We ask guests to wash the dishes, put things back where they found them, strip the bedding and run the dishwasher. We take care of the rest of the cleaning. A vacuum cleaner and broom are available. Before leaving, please wait for our representative to arrive so we can hand the cottage over together.

Is the cottage suitable for school trips and children's groups?

Yes. Chalupa Na hráni is ideal for school groups — it's in a safe, quiet location. Thanks to grocery delivery (Rohlík), the stay can even become a fun experience for children, who help teachers prepare meals together.

Booking and payment

How does booking work?

We accept bookings via the booking form or by email. Once we've confirmed availability, we hold the dates for you for 3 days, during which a 50% deposit of the stay price needs to be paid. Once it's received, you'll get a confirmation and the stay is firmly booked.

How do I pay for the stay?

The 50% deposit is paid by bank transfer to account 670100-2217169674/6210 (please include your name and the dates of stay in the message). The remaining balance is paid on arrival — in cash or by instant transfer. For bookings made less than 7 days before arrival, no deposit is required and the full amount is paid on arrival.

Can you issue an invoice to a company?

Yes. Include your billing details with your booking and we'll promptly send you a proforma invoice due within 10 days. For cashless payment of the balance, the amount must be in our account no later than 3 days before arrival.

What are your cancellation terms?

The cancellation fee is calculated from the deposit. Free of charge if cancelled more than 61 days before arrival, 30% for less than 60 days, 50% for less than 30 days, and 100% for less than 14 days before arrival. Deposits for Christmas and New Year's stays are non-refundable. If a guest fails to arrive within 24 hours of the start of the stay without notice, 100% of the deposit is charged.

Do you charge a refundable deposit?

No, we don't charge a security deposit. Any damage is reported by the guest at the end of the stay and paid on the spot. The guest is fully liable for any damage caused to the cottage's property.

For families with children

Is Chalupa Na hráni suitable for families with children?

Yes. The cottage stands in a quiet spot in Velká Úpa and offers plenty of space for children and adults alike. Nearby you'll find playgrounds within walking distance, plus a smaller one right at the cottage. You can head out on foot or by cable car to the Pecka Play Landscape, to Sněžka, or to other interesting spots.

Is there anything for kids to do at the cottage?

Right at the cottage, children have a trampoline and a small playground with swings and a slide (used at your own risk). From spring to autumn, sheep with lambs graze near the cottage and can be fed and petted.

Do you have any equipment for children?

The cottage has 2 potties, 2 high chairs and toilet training seats. We also lend a cot free of charge.

Can children be left unsupervised at the cottage?

For safety reasons, we ask that children under 10 do not remain unsupervised inside or outside the cottage.

Facilities and services

Is the kitchen fully equipped?

The kitchen has 2 fridges with freezers, a dishwasher, oven, hob, toaster, kettle and a coffee machine for older-style Nespresso capsules. Clean tea towels and washing-up liquid are provided for every guest. The kitchen comes with dishes, cutlery, pots, pans, chopping boards and other kitchen tools. Basic staples (salt, sugar) are provided. Please bring your own dishwasher tablets, or you can buy some from us.

How many toilets and bathrooms does the cottage have?

On the ground floor there are 2 large bathrooms with a shower, toilet and sink. On the first floor there are 2 toilets with a small sink. All toilets are stocked with toilet paper and hand towels.

Are bedding and towels included in the stay?

Before arrival we always ask guests how many people each room should be prepared for — beds are then made up for you. Towels are also available at the cottage for anyone who forgets theirs.

Is there a grill or fire pit available?

Guests can use a gas grill as well as a spot suitable for a fire pit. The gas bottle is provided free of charge, and you don't need to bring your own coal or wood. Please place the grill as far as possible from the covered part of the terrace (ideally in the back right corner) — the wooden structure could catch fire.

Is the sauna included in the price of the stay?

Yes. You can use the sauna and the plunge pool whenever you like. Sauna sheets are provided free of charge. The sauna uses a fair amount of electricity (which you pay for after your stay) — about CZK 500 extra per 2 hours of use. The plunge pool, fitted with a safety grille for children, is there for cooling off.

Transport and parking

Can we park at the cottage?

There is space for 5 cars right at the cottage from spring to autumn, and parking is free. Cars park one behind the other behind the cottage (train-style). The town of Pec pod Sněžkou lies within the Krkonoše National Park (KRNAP), and from spring to autumn some higher-lying cottages can only be accessed with a paid entry ticket (CZK 100 / day, CZK 200 / 2–8 days). The ticket machine is in Velká Úpa. In winter it's not possible to park at the cottage — guests park at P5, P6 or P7. We issue all guests a Krkonoše Card giving a 50% discount on parking.

How do we get to the cottage in winter?

In winter we recommend the snow taxi service TRANSPORT MOTOQUAD VELKÁ ÚPA (Mr. Kobr, tel. +420 603 475 391) — he has a snowmobile, a quad bike and an off-road vehicle. Book 2–3 days in advance. The taxi can carry the contents of 2–3 cars plus one or two guests. Everyone else walks to the cottage (about 20 minutes from the centre of Velká Úpa).

How far is the Portášky cable car?

The lower station is about 1.6 km from the cottage. If you're heading to the Pecka Play Landscape or Sněžka, it's worth walking — the cottage sits roughly halfway up the hill, so it's a pleasant walk to the upper station along the old German paths.

How far is the ski bus stop?

The 'Velká Úpa, náměstí' stop is about 1.6 km away (on foot, or partly on skis). The 'Velká Úpa, Barrandov' stop is about 1 km away. The way back is uphill. Experienced skiers can, in good snow conditions, ski down through the meadows to the cottage from the upper station of the Portášky cable car.

Can the cottage be used in winter too?

Yes, we're happy to welcome you in winter as well. The cottage isn't right next to the slopes, but it offers quiet sunny days, beautiful views, snowmen, sledging and cross-country trails. We can't take responsibility for injuries caused by insufficiently cleared snow around the property — please take extra care.

Surroundings and activities

How far is it to Sněžka?

One of the most popular routes to Sněžka starts right in Velká Úpa. Along a beautiful, less crowded trail, you can reach the highest peak in the Czech Republic from the cottage in about 3.5 hours.

What can we do nearby if it rains?

At the cottage itself there's a spacious sauna, a common room and a TV with Netflix and other streaming platforms. Velká Úpa and Pec pod Sněžkou both have bowling alleys. Svoboda nad Úpou has an indoor mini-golf course and a fairy-tale exhibition. For swimming, we recommend a trip to Jelenia Góra in Poland, which has a large thermal aquapark.

Where can we shop nearby?

There's a shop with basic groceries right in Velká Úpa. A well-stocked shop can be found in Pec pod Sněžkou (Potraviny Kubík). Other shops are in Horní Maršov, Svoboda nad Úpou and Trutnov. From spring to autumn, Rohlík grocery delivery also reaches the cottage.

House rules

Can we bring a dog?

Yes, Chalupa Na hráni is dog friendly. There's a charge of CZK 100 per night per dog.

Is the terrace suitable for parties or loud gatherings?

No. The cottage is located in a quiet part of Velká Úpa in the heart of the national park. Loud speaker systems or loud music are not permitted on the terrace. Guests may use the terrace until 11 PM, after which we ask that you move indoors out of respect for the neighbours' night-time quiet.

Is smoking banned inside the cottage?

Yes. Smoking and open flames are strictly forbidden throughout the whole building. Smoking is only allowed outside, away from the wooden structures.

Do we need to bring our own slippers?

Yes, we ask all guests to bring and use their own indoor slippers at the cottage.

Can I bring my own hot plate, kettle or electric heater?

For safety reasons (it's a wooden building), personal hot plates, kettles and electric heaters are not permitted in the rooms. Of course, you're welcome to use personal electronics such as a shaver, hairdryer or phone/laptop chargers. Please also avoid moving the cottage's equipment around and don't tamper with the electrics, water or heating.

How does waste sorting work?

In the hallway there are bins for plastic, paper and metal; mixed waste can be thrown out there or in the kitchen. A bin for bio-waste is set up in the kitchen. Please do not flush food scraps, nappies or wet wipes down the toilet — this can clog the drains. Should that happen, we would have to charge the cost of the repair plus CZK 5,000.

Are you liable for valuables and personal belongings?

The operator is not liable for items brought into the cottage or for damage to valuables left unattended (jewellery, cash). Please report any faults or damage immediately on the spot so we can arrange a prompt fix.

Safety and cameras

Are there security cameras at the cottage?

Yes. There is an outdoor camera by the entrance door and an indoor camera in the kitchen room. They are used solely for protecting property and preventing fire in the wooden building. There are no cameras anywhere else, and none of them record sound. Footage is stored for 7 days on an external drive that the operator cannot access. More details can be found on our privacy policy page.