On my recent visit to Krakow, I was fortunate to stay at Sheraton Krakow. Not only is the hotel centrally located, but it’s extremely comfortable and just exactly where we were meant to end up. I’ll never forget the view of Krakow from our room, our ability to walk to Wawel Castle and my morning run around the Wisla River. At night, we would walk to town for pierogis and champagne. It was a very special visit – let me tell you more about it.
Why Visit Krakow
I was quietly impressed with the city of Krakow. While it has a rich yet painful history, which I’ll be talking about in another story here and elsewhere, it’s an incredibly beautiful and culturally-rich city that somehow managed to survive WWII (as a contrast to Warsaw which was destroyed, a city I had just come from). We went shopping for amber jewelry in the Rynek Glowny (Main Square) is the heart of Old Town Krakow, Europe’s biggest town square. We took a tour of the city and traced the history of the Jews who once lived in the city’s Jewish Quarter. It was hard not to feel their absence as we circled the city. We climbed the steps to Wawel Castle and gazed down one of Central Europe’s prettiest cities. We dined on traditional Polish food such as pierogi and kielbasa and drank vodka, the city’s drink of choice. Anther worthwhile visit included Oskar Schindler’s Factory which has been turned into a modern museum devoted to the wartime experiences and largely focuses on the Holocaust, leaving us thinking that Krakow was even more haunted than we were led to believe. And our visit (which was an all day event) confirmed that.
Checking In
At first glance of the massive lobby looking up to an aerial view of the hotel’s atrium, complete with a restaurant and bar, we knew we were in for a treat. Check-in was speedy and easy, and we were given a complimentary drink as a warm welcome and an overview of the area. We were so happy to be staying by not only the historic area but also by markets, good restaurants, museums and Jewish sites of interest. Everything is easy to get to from the hotel and the city makes getting around really easy. The hotel’s concierge was really helpful and booked us into a tour of Auschwitz the next day. All in all, very friendly and attentive service, so a thumbs up to the staff.
Our Room
We checked into a European-style room with ample space, two twin beds and a stupendous view overlooking the river. The beds were very comfortable, with lush linens. We had turn down service, complimentary coffee, Wifi access, a flat-screen TV with English-speaking stations. All the rooms are located around this huge atrium mentioned above, which was a delight to wake up to every morning.
My mom, who had yet to stay in a 5-star hotel until this visit, was very impressed with the offerings in the bathroom. They have your usual suspects but also offer razors and an exfoliating sponge which I took along with me.
Amenities
The hotel has a small gym, sauna and pool in the basement level. On the roof, they offer a bar where you can sit and have a drink overlooking the stunning city of Krakow. There’s also a Mediterranean restaurant, a vodka bar and a rooftop terrace. Even though our visit was at the start of the country’s winter season and was cold, we sat briefly to take in the extraordinary views. Other amenities include a heated indoor pool and a sauna.
We had breakfast daily, which was included in our stay, in the Olive Restaurant on the ground floor. Not only do they serve delicious coffee, but they also offer a broad selection of yummy fish, cheese, breads, cereal, yogurt, fruit and even hot breakfast for those who can’t somehow find what they need on the buffet. We both looked forward to our mornings at the Sheraton. It’s a very cozy, relaxed atmosphere.
Disclosure: I was provided with a complimentary stay at Sheraton Krakow to facilitate this review and others, but all opinions are my own.
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