Page 180 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Krakow
P. 180
178 TR A VELLERS ’ NEEDS
WHERE TO STAY
Krakow is home to some of Poland’s best establishments have sprung up on the city’s
hotels. Besides the big international names, fringes and around the river. The number of
such as Radisson Blu and Sheraton, visitors backpacker hostels has also mushroomed,
will also find many independent hotels famed ensuring that there is a broad choice of
for their architecture, for traditions extending accommodation for all budgets. Visitors can
back to the 19th century, and for their fin-de- still expect to pay a premium for an Old
siècle atmosphere. The best of these have Quarter location, but the competition helps
managed to recapture the magnificence that keep prices in check. From all the hotels in
was lost during the period of Communist Krakow, this section highlights some of the
rule. Many of the hotels in the older parts best; they have been listed according to
of the city have been renovated, and new theme, location and price on pages 182–5.
Where to Look
Most of Krakow’s hotels are
located in the Old Quarter,
near the main Market Square;
in the former Jewish district
of Kazimierz; and in the city
centre districts that surround
these two areas. All of these
districts are within walking
distance of each other, and
finding accommodation that
is close to the action is never
too difficult. Accommodation
located outside these central
areas is usually linked to the
centre by reasonably swift bus
or tram services; there are no Elegant, flower-filled room at the Polski Hotel Pod Białym Orłem (see p182)
parts of Krakow where visitors
will feel isolated or cut off. (see p182), which have pres industry, while leaving much
erved the decor and atmos of the original exposedbrick
phere of the belle époque. and stone features intact.
Hotels There are also many luxury Modern fivestar chains such
Krakow is one of the most hotels – notably Copernicus as Radisson Blu and Sheraton
atmospheric places to stay in (see p184), Stary (see p185) are also present in Krakow,
the whole of Central Europe. and Pałac Bonerowski (see alongside many of the more
The city boasts an impressive p184) – that have made good budgetoriented chains such
number of historic, mostly use of old buildings, adapting as Ibis, Best Western, Novotel
19thcentury hotels, especially medieval and Renaissance and Campanile. Recent years
grand old establishments like town houses to the needs have seen the emergence of a
Pod Różą, Pollera and Elektor of the modern hospitality breed of boutique and design
hotels, such as Pugetów and
andel’s (s(s( ee p184), that aim
to make best use of the local
artistic traditions; and there
is also a healthy quantity of
B&Bs, offering charming,
characterful and informal
accommodation in the
heart of the city.
Making a Reservation
Most of Krakow’s hotels,
apartments and hostels are
featured on international
booking sites such as
Neo-Classical building housing the Fortuna B&B (see p183) Booking.com, Airbnb
The lively Main Market Square (Rynek Glowny) in Krakow
