You will probably visit a lot of places in Poland, but the most popular tourist destination is Warsaw. That’s why I wanted to give you a few ideas about where to stay.

Needless to say, Warsaw’s hotel scene has undergone a drastic makeover since the fall of communism. Whereas before it may have been difficult to find accommodation that satisfied Western standards of comfort and modernity, the last two decades have seen massive investments in state of the art hotels whose unique attributes range from towering architectural attractions to renovated historical masterpieces. These days the amount of hotels aimed at providing the best quality service to tourist, business jet-setter, and backpacker alike is so abundant that the choice is sometimes difficult. The variety ranges from high-end chic to hostelling camaraderie, with several world-class hotels in between.

Image by Poco a poco (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

If money is no object, there is only one place to consider: Le Royal Meridien Bristol, an establishment in a class of its own. Considered one of the best hotels in the world, the Bristol reopened after decades of misuse to reclaim its place as Warsaw’s—and indeed Poland’s—leading deluxe hotel. Standing along the fantastic Royal Route overlooking the Presidential Palace and amidst other examples of Warsaw’s reconstructed 16th century architectural splendor, Le Royal Meridien Bristol is the epitome of classical elegance.

We have stayed at that hotel once and it was beautiful. A little more expensive – but if you will make reservations in advance – you can find a really good deal. It is within walking distance to the Old Town, beautiful shops, restaurants and bars.

There are plenty more luxury hotels in the city which pay tribute to the Warsaw’s royal history and Poland’s legendary hospitality. Among them are: Hotel Sofitel Victoria, a historical landmark in Warsaw which, following major renovations, emerged as Warsaw’s first five-star hotel. Located centrally for city exploration, the Sofitel overlooks the Saxon Gardens and is a short and pleasant walk away from the Old Town and the National Opera. The Hyatt Regency is a newer hotel, located in a quiet area, nestled between the breathtaking Lazienki Park and downtown. It offers both tourists and business travelers alike a dreamlike stay with its luxurious rooms and Club Oasis Health Centre and Spa. The Hilton Warsaw Hotel & Convention Center is the newest addition to Warsaw’s luxury lineup, where guests can experience world-class drinking and dining, as well as spectacular views of the city. A stay at the Rialto is a carefully crafted five-star experience. As Warsaw’s first boutique hotel, the hotel is designed with an Art Deco theme, with each room uniquely furnished with hand-picked antique European furniture and artwork to recreate this stylish period of early the 20th century.

One of my favorite hotels is the Jan III Sobieski Hotel. When my husband and I got married – this was the place we stayed at for few days with our family. Prices are reasonable; it is pretty close to downtown with about 10 minute cab ride to Old Town. Breakfast buffet is included and rooms are really nice.

Another group of hotels, mid-priced and historically interesting, such as the Polonia Palace Hotel (my husband and I stayed here as well – downtown, nice rooms and pleasant staff), with its original pre-war façade. Next door is the Metropol Hotel, an example of late Socialist architecture, attracting people eager to have a more authentic experience. Also interesting is the MDM Hotel, situated on the side of a busy downtown square. It has also been undergoing renovations, and offers a fantastic location at a reasonable price.

Travelers will be pleased to find several pleasant options in hostelling that are inexpensive, clean, and quaint social alternatives to hotels. The staff is usually friendly and helpful for those unfamiliar with the city or the language. The Oki Doki is a funky and fun place located in the heart of downtown, putting Warsaw directly at the feet of those backpackers eager to dive into the madness of Centrum without worrying about arranging transportation. Another nice option is Nathan’s Villa Hostel, a franchise of clean and friendly hostels throughout Poland that are both inexpensive and great social hubs for those looking to meet other travelers.

Finding the appropriate type of accommodation in Warsaw is now much easier. From the deluxe Bristol to youth hostels, there is now a wide range of selection to choose from. However, it’s still wise to book ahead: while many new places are open and ready for business, Warsaw’s popularity could mean a shortage of available spaces for that perfect experience. I have noticed within last few years that it is getting harder to book a hotel in Warsaw at the last minute. I usually do it couple of months in advance.

I hope you will enjoy your  future stay in Warsaw!

Do następnego razu! (Till next time…)