Poland - Eastern Europe - page 422

down to the high-tech fitness center's special “Cracow Experience” massage (“ideal
after long sightseeing, travel, or work”). Unlike many Sheratons around the world, this
one is actually in a very good location for sightseeing, close to the river and within an
easy walk of the Old Town or Wawel Castle. Ask for a room with a view toward the
Wawel.
Powi1le 7. & 012/662-10-00. Fax [phone]. www.sheraton.com/Kraków. 22 units. 750 zl ($250/£135) dou-
ble. AE, DC, MC, V. Amenities: 3 restaurants; state-of-the-art 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, fax, dat-
aport, minibar, hair dryer, iron, safe.
EXPENSIVE
Hotel Ester One of just a handful of four-star hotels in Kazimierz, the Ester
is probably the nicest overall hotel in the former Jewish quarter. The property was
thoroughly renovated at the start of 2006, and the rooms now have that understated,
white-linen feel that you sometimes get at a good boutique hotel. The staff is thor-
oughly professional. The hotel's Wi-Fi access extends to the public areas and onto the
outdoor terrace. The location, at the heart of the former ghetto, is just a short walk
away from the synagogues and major sites.
Szeroka 20. & 012/429-11-88. Fax [phone]. www.hotel-ester.Kraków.pl. 32 units. 450 zl ($150/£80) double.
AE, DC, MC, V. Amenities: Restaurant; limited room service; dry-cleaning; nonsmoking rooms. In room:A/C, TV, dat-
aport, minibar, hair dryer, safe.
Hotel Floryan A popular hotel, but more for its location on the Royal Route
near the Florian Gate than for its amenities. The standard doubles are tiny, but clean
and cutely furnished, with polished hardwood floors. The superior doubles, with
queen-size beds, are bigger, but at about 100 z l ($33/£18) more per night not worth
the extra money. The pizzeria on the ground floor is not bad, but with a location this
near to the Rynek, there's no need to dine so close to home.
Floria^ska 38. & 012/431-14-18. Fax [phone]. www.floryan.com.pl. 20 units. 360 zl ($120/£65) double; 470
zl ($155/£40) double superior. AE, DC, MC, V. Amenities: Restaurant; nonsmoking rooms. In room:A/C, TV, dataport,
minibar, hair dryer.
Hotel Pod Wawelem This is the first of what it is hoped will become a
Kraków lodging trend: an unfussy, simple, yet still stylish boutique hotel in a great
central location, not far from the river and about a 10-minute walk from the main
square. The rooms are high-quality modern, with cheery light-colored walls and dark
woods. In-room amenities include Wi-Fi Internet access. Ask for a room with a view
toward Wawel Castle.
Na Groblach 22. & 012/426-26-26. Fax [phone]. www.hotelpodwawelem.pl. 48 units. 440 zl ($147/£80)
double. AE, DC, MC, V. Amenities: Restaurant; room service; sauna; nonsmoking rooms. In room:A/C, TV, dataport,
minibar, hair dryer, safe.
RT Hotel Rezydent Not quite the upscale boutique hotel that this place mar-
kets itself as, but a nice choice nevertheless given the absolutely top-notch location just
off the main square and on the Royal Route that leads to Wawel and beyond. The
rooms are relatively small, but with sturdy, stylishly modern furniture and hardwood
floors. It's owned by the Polish RT chain of hotels, which also includes the similarly
appointed and priced RT Regent in Kazimierz. Save 5% off the room rate by book-
ing online.