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 — 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 — 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 — 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 3–3.5 km from the Central Market, Waterkant and St. Petrus en Paulus Cathedral — walkable in cool weather, a 10-minute taxi otherwise. About 44 km (60–75 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 — 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 — 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.
