Room
We’re in Krakow for four nights at the Radisson Blu, figuring we’d take advantage of superior exchange rate to get some five star comfort on the cheap. Ange checks in before me, having already been in Krakow during the week. You really can’t get a better location for the hotel. It’s on the doorstep of the Old Town and yet far enough away to not hear the raucous cheers of drunken revellers. Its a tiny walk down the road to the castle and is on the tram line too.
When I arrive at 11:30pm, I’m quietly impressed, both with the size of the bed as well as the incredibly comfortable looking chaise lounge in the room. although one of the elegant horse-drawn carriages chooses that moment to go by and even though we’re on the top floor, the staccato clip-clop, clip-clop penetrates the room. We quickly remind each other of the NH Collection in Berlin with its quadruple glazing and lament that the Radisson doesn’t have this.
The room service menu deserves a shout out: we have the movie night special: a burger, fries, and dessert plus beer (or juice) and popcorn, all for 66 zloty. The interesting part is the “burger” is served on focaccia bread – an interesting twist. Also the salad for the burger is actually coleslaw and served in a separate little ramekin. It’s a nice combo and worth it for our night in.
We later have a light meal of salad and risotto, which is very fresh and tasty – the food here is great.
Breakfast
I liked the breakfast at the Radisson: when you give your room number at the entrance they walk you to a table and give you a little card to show that the table is occupied – a great idea especially if you’re dining alone. They also have a little card of egg dishes you can have prepared especially for you, or else “just” have the buffet.
I guess the highlight of the breakfast for me are the local sausages (kielbasa) and the various different honeys they have on offer. Ange enjoys the cereals and the variety of toppings available to complement them.
One thing I don’t enjoy are the American pancakes – they’ve been in the warmer for too long and so have started to get hard around the edges. It’s about the only negative though – the spread is huge and varied, with something for everyone.
Facilities
The entrance lobby has an amber shop in it – amber is the tree resin which has been buried and solidified so that it resembles precious stones. It’s been sourced all along the lands bordering the Baltic sea for centuries and traded all over the Ancient world. It’s very pretty but I can’t see how it can sell enough to justify having a person in the shop all day every day.
The hotel includes a health centre which includes a surprisingly well equipped gym. There are multiple weight machines and ample free weights making this much more than the token treadmill and exercycle that some hotels try to get away with.
There’s also a spa which makes me pause for a second. It has been my experience that spas tend to be mixed-sex, with anyone able to use any of them, but in the case of the Radisson, there is one spa past the Male changing room sand one past the Women’s changing rooms. When Ange had enquired about it at reception, they had said for both of us to use the same one, so with some trepidation I go through the Women’s changing rooms to join Ange in the sauna. There are no screams or embarrassment though – it’s late enough that nobody else is using the facilities and we enjoy the heat for our fifteen minutes in solitude.
Pros and Cons
Pros
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Cons
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Would I Go Back?
Definitely! The location makes it a no-brainer, but the food and facilities really make this a steal.
