Page 181 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Krakow

WHERE T O ST A Y  179

and Hostelworld. Reservations
can also be made by contacting
the establishment directly by
phone or email. Early booking
is advisable for most of Krakow’s
hotels, especially during high
summer, when finding
vacancies may be quite a
challenge. Peak times are July
and August, the period around
the May Day public holiday
and New Year’s Eve. However,
it is worth noting that the
tourist season lasts all year
round, and only autumn and
winter see a decline in the
number of tourists. Krakow
also sees a constant flow of Communal lounge area at the Metropolitan Boutique Hotel (see p185)
international conferences,
meetings and festivals. Finding Check-out time is generally Wherever you are thinking of
a hotel on arrival may prove noon, but luggage can usually staying, it is always worth asking
difficult at any time. be left at reception. Hotel for a discount, and you stand a
personnel frequently speak good chance of getting one if
both English and German. you are planning a longer stay.
Facilities
Most hotels offer ensuite rooms Discounts Hidden Extras
with satellite or cable television.
Many international channels Hotels often advertise rate cuts In accordance with Polish law,
come with their Polish-dubbed and budget specials on Internet the prices quoted or displayed
versions, although with a bit of booking sites. In general, prices in hotels have to include tax
channel-surfing you will be able tend to fluctuate according to and service. In most places, they
to find a couple of international the season, and most hotels in also include breakfast, but this
alternatives. Usually a selection Krakow reduce their prices in is not always the case, so check
of English-language news autumn and winter. Throughout in advance. Telephone calls
channels are available, along the year, business and confer- from hotel rooms are never
with German and a few other ence hotels, which are often included, and they are far more
major languages. The provision full on weekdays, usually reduce expensive than elsewhere.
of Wi-Fi Internet access is also their prices at weekends. You Although free Wi-Fi Internet
pretty standard throughout the can use Internet booking sites access is increasingly standard
Polish hotel industry. Even in to compare prices and look for in the hospitality industry, some
the better hotels, bathrooms special offers. There are not many hotels (mostly in the business
may feature a shower rather single-bed hotel rooms available category) may charge for this
than a bathtub, so if you spe- for solo travellers, so negotiate a service; again, it is wise to ask
cifically want a bathtub, you discount when offered a double in advance.
should enquire about this room for single use. Despite these hidden
when booking. Many hotels extra costs, Polish hospitality
in Krakow supply an electric almost always extends to
kettle in the room, together providing guests with a free
with modest supplies of tea, supply of mineral water.
coffee and sugar. Rooms in Regardless of the standard of
the more expensive hotels may hotel, a fresh bottle of sparkling
have a mini-bar, 24-hour room water is usually left in your
service and laundry service; room every day. As a rule, if it
some hotels have facilities is not in the mini-bar, it is free.
such as business centres Tips are not offered to hotel
with computers and printers. staff, except at the most exclu-
Fitness facilities are increasingly sive hotels where it is customary
common, but only a handful to offer 10 per cent. You may,
of hotels in the luxury bracket however, choose to give less
offer spas or swimming pools. depending on the service you
Tourist information is some- have received. Be aware that
times available at the reception saying “thank you” when paying
desk, as well as ticket booking Swimming pool at the contemporary a bill is automatically taken
facilities for various events. Galaxy hotel (see p183) to mean “keep the change”.