Poland - Eastern Europe - page 395

EXPENSIVE
Grand Hotel Orbis This used to be a reliably cheap if grim relic from Com-
munist times with an absolutely unbeatable location. Now, thanks to an injection of
cash from the Mercure chain, it's been thoroughly renovated inside and out. The
rooms are bright and sunny and the public areas tidy if a bit on the formal side. The
facade has gotten a sandblasting, and looks as good as the day it opened. The prob-
lem is the improvements have come at a cost, and sadly the Grand is no longer the
bargain it once was. Still, it's a nice choice because of its location near the trendy
embassy district, with some of the city's best cafes, shops, and nightlife a 5-minute
walk away. As of this writing the hotel was contemplating a name change in 2007 to
the “Mercure Grand” (which will no doubt add a few more z l oty to the final tab).
Krucza 28. & 022/583-21-00. Fax [phone]. www.orbisonline.pl. 355 units. 400 zl ($133/£70) double. AE, DC,
MC, V. Amenities: Restaurant; spa; limited room service; nonsmoking rooms. In room:A/C, TV, dataport, minibar, hair
dryer.
Hotel Jan III Sobieski This is a slightly cheaper version of the upscale business
hotels, but still offering very high-quality accommodations. The lower prices are prob-
ably due to the hotel's location, slightly down from the heart of 2 ródmie 1 cie (but still
an easy tram jaunt away). The hotel was one of the first luxury properties to open up
after the fall of Communism in 1989 and as such is showing its age a little. That said
the rooms are very nicely done in muted contemporary look and soundproofed
against the busy street below. The guest list includes Art Garfunkel, Carlos Santana,
and Herbie Hancock (which shows they must be doing something right here).
Plac A. Zawiszy 1. & 022/579-10-00. www.sobieski.com.pl. 427 units. 560 zl ($186/£95) double. AE, DC, MC, V.
Amenities: 2 restaurants; health club and spa; concierge; business center; 24-hr. room service; dry cleaning; non-
smoking rooms. In room:A/C, TV, dataport, minibar, hair dryer.
Marriott Of the big chains in town, this one offers arguably the best location
and the best value. Maybe because the hotel has been established here the longest,
since 1989, its rack rates are among the lowest of the four-star hotels. It is every bit as
posh and comfortable as any of the others, and the hotel has worked hard in recent
years to upgrade the rooms (and improve the bedding). Former guests include U.S.
President George W. Bush. For years, Warsaw residents have admired the hotel's rec-
tangular skyscraper—like something out of the Dallas or Denver skyline—as a fitting
capitalist foil to the Socialist-Realist wedding cake Palace of Culture just across the
street.
Al. Jerozolimskie 65/79. & 022/630-63-06. Fax [phone]. www.marriott.com/wawpl. 518 units. 520 zl
($173/£90) double. AE, DC, MC, V. Amenities: 3 restaurants; indoor pool; health club and spa; concierge; business
center; 24-hr. room service; dry cleaning; nonsmoking rooms. In room:A/C, TV, dataport, minibar, coffeemaker, hair
dryer, iron, safe.
Moderate
Boutique Bed & Breakfast This unique B&B was the dream of a Polish expat
living in Chicago who returned home after 1989. He wanted to create the best small
hotel experience he could think of and has mostly succeeded. Each of the five rooms is
done up differently, but the emphasis is on high-quality traditional furniture and a
decidedly homey ambience. The “Queen” and “King” apartments come with full
kitchens and Wi-Fi Internet access. “Prince” is my favorite, with a beautiful high-backed
bed and light hardwood floors. Don't come expecting anonymity. Jacek, the owner, likes
to take an interest in his guests and wax enthusiastically about his hometown. If you're