Stolk Apartments: A Quiet Self-Catering Base in Paramaribo
Homey serviced apartments on leafy Schubbertstraat, a short drive from Waterkant and the historic centre.
Why Go
If you want the freedom of your own kitchen and terrace instead of a cookie-cutter hotel room, Stolk Apartments trades lobby buzz for backyard barbecues and a residential Paramaribo neighbourhood where you actually hear birdsong in the morning.
The Experience
Tucked into a quiet residential pocket on Schubbertstraat, Stolk Apartments feels more like borrowing a Surinamese friend's guest flat than checking into a hotel. Units come with air conditioning, a full kitchen with fridge, a dining nook and a flat-screen TV, plus a private patio or terrace where you can crack a Parbo beer at the end of a humid day. The shared BBQ setup is a giveaway that this place is built for travellers who like to linger ΓÇö think slow breakfasts, laundry drying in the breeze, and the option to cook up whatever roti, pom or fresh fish you hauled back from the Central Market. Free WiFi and a car rental service on-site round out a very practical, low-key stay, and the paid airport shuttle takes the sting out of the 44 km transfer from Johan Adolf Pengel International.
What to Try
Book a unit with the terrace access and use the BBQ at least once ΓÇö pick up marinated chicken, cassava and plantain from a nearby toko and cook in. In the mornings, walk or drive the 3 km down to Waterkant for river views and coffee, then loop back through the UNESCO-listed wooden colonial quarter around Onafhankelijkheidsplein. Use the on-site car rental (or the neighbouring 88 Car Rental and 4x4xJankie outfits) to get out to Commewijne's old plantations or the Peperpot Nature Park for a half-day trip that most hotel guests never manage.
Insider Tip
The apartments are self-catering with limited on-site reception hours, so message ahead with your flight details and confirm check-in and shuttle pickup in writing ΓÇö arrivals into Paramaribo often land late at night, and Schubbertstraat is not the kind of address a random taxi driver will find on the first try. Ask for a unit at the back of the property if you're a light sleeper; the street-facing rooms catch more early scooter traffic.
The Practical Stuff
Address: Schubbertstraat 9, Paramaribo, Suriname. Roughly 3ΓÇô3.5 km from the Central Market, Waterkant and St. Petrus en Paulus Cathedral ΓÇö walkable in cool weather, a 10-minute taxi otherwise. About 44 km (60ΓÇô75 min) from Johan Adolf Pengel International Airport; paid airport shuttle available on request. Amenities include air conditioning, free WiFi, full kitchen, private bathroom with bath or shower, terrace/patio, shared BBQ and on-site car rental. Cash-friendly city, but bring SRD and a card as backup; power sockets are US-style two-pin, 127V.
Pair It With
- 't Vat Sidewalk Cafe Guide — A Paramaribo institution for cold Parbo beer and casual expat-style bar food ΓÇö an easy walk or short ride from the apartments when you don't feel like cooking.
- 168 Restaurant Guide — Solid nearby Chinese-Surinamese kitchen for takeaway you can bring back to the apartment terrace, a very local way to eat in Paramaribo.
- 88 Car Rental Suriname Guide — Handy backup rental option on the same side of town if the on-site car service is booked out ΓÇö useful for day trips to Commewijne or Brownsberg.
- 597SpeedUp Watertubing Guide — A high-energy Suriname River activity to balance out the sleepy residential vibe of Schubbertstraat, and one of the closer adventure operators to base yourself near.