Poland - Eastern Europe - page 394

VERY EXPENSIVE
InterContinental The striking postmodern glass skyscraper is a nice addi-
tion to the Warsaw skyline, and the high style extends throughout the hotel, from the
chic, muted lobby to the contemporary leathers and woods in the rooms. Just about
everything you'd expect from the InterContinental chain; one plus over the similarly
appointed Sheraton is a two-story wellness center and pool on the 43rd and 44th
floors (and the InterContinental is cheaper to boot).
Ul. Emili Plater 49. & 022/328-88-88. Fax [phone]. www.warsaw.intercontinental.com. 327 units. 520 zl
($173/£90) double. AE, DC, MC, V. Amenities: 3 restaurants; swimming pool; health club; sauna; concierge; courtesy
car; business center; salon; 24-hr. room service; dry cleaning; executive-level rooms; nonsmoking rooms. In room:A/C,
TV, dataport, minibar, coffeemaker, hair dryer, iron, safe.
Le Royal Meridien Bristol This is commonly regarded as Warsaw's nicest big
hotel, and from the outside that may well be true. The sensitively restored Art Nou-
veau exterior and the period-piece details in the lobby and public areas are part of the
city's architectural heritage. However, I'm not sure all the glitter rates prices that are at
least $50 a night above the competition. That's especially true when you consider nor-
mally standard offerings at this price level—like in-room Internet access—are charged
extra. Still, the location—right on the nicest part of the Royal Route—and the beau-
tiful period details in the rooms and suites, offer compelling arguments for a stay here.
Ask to check out several rooms before deciding, since each is furnished differently.
Krakowskie Przedmie1cie 42/44. & 022/551-10-00. www.lemeridien-bristol.com. 205 units. 770 zl ($290/£150)
double. AE, DC, MC, V. Amenities: 3 restaurants; swimming pool; health club; sauna; concierge; courtesy car; busi-
ness center; salon; 24-hr. room service; dry cleaning; executive-level rooms; nonsmoking rooms. In room:A/C, TV, fax,
dataport, minibar, coffeemaker, hair dryer, iron, safe.
Rialto High-style boutique hotel, with prices to match, for those who demand
original Thonet chairs and William Morris furniture. The theme here is Art Deco, and
each of the rooms has been meticulously designed, using a mix of authentic furnish-
ings from that time and new creations. The restaurant is presided over by local cook-
ing whiz, Swiss-born chef Kurt Scheller. The rooms feature high-quality sound
systems, DVD players, and flatscreen TVs. The hotel has a small fitness center and
sauna, but guests have also access to the tony Sinnet racquet club for indoor tennis,
squash, and swimming.
Wilcza 73. & 022/584-87-00. www.hotelrialto.com.pl. 46 units. 1,000 zl ($330/£170) double. AE, DC, MC, V.
Amenities: Restaurant; fitness center; sauna; concierge; courtesy car; business center; 24-hr. room service; dry clean-
ing; executive-level rooms; nonsmoking rooms. In room:A/C, TV, dataport, minibar, hair dryer.
Sheraton Warsaw This is a superb hotel from nearly any perspective, with an
armload of amenities and an excellent location, just a short stroll from the trendy
embassy district in one direction and the charms of Nowy 2 wiat and the Old Town in
the other. This Sheraton features the “Tower Suites,” an even more exclusive “hotel
within a hotel.” It's an excellent choice for business, since all the rooms come with sev-
eral phones, dataports, and an extrawide desk. The fitness center too gets top marks
(but no pool). Be forewarned: The quirky Internet room-booking procedure will
have you reaching for the telephone after a couple of minutes.
Ul. B. Prusa 2. & 022/450-61-00. Fax [phone]. www.sheraton.com.pl. 361 units. 720 zl ($240/£130) double.
AE, DC, MC, V. Amenities: 3 restaurants; state-of-the-art health club; sauna; concierge; courtesy car; business cen-
ter; salon; 24-hr. room service; dry cleaning; executive-level rooms; nonsmoking rooms. In room:A/C, TV, fax, data-
port, minibar, coffeemaker, hair dryer, iron, safe.