Hotel Pod Różą

Hotel Pod Różą in Krakow, Poland, a Michelin Key Selected property, consistently receives high praise for its blend of historical elegance and modern luxury, offering guests a memorable stay in the heart of the city.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

Hotel Pod Różą enjoys an "Excellent" overall rating of 8.9 out of 10 based on nearly 1,900 reviews, reflecting a strong positive consensus among guests. The sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, with visitors frequently commending its beautiful historic atmosphere, exceptional location, and the professionalism and friendliness of its staff. As a 5-star hotel housed in a magnificently renovated Renaissance palace, it is regarded as a true gem in Krakow's Old Town.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently highlight several aspects that make Hotel Pod Różą stand out:

• Service & Staff: The staff is frequently described as friendly, helpful, courteous, polite, and welcoming. Guests have reported receiving thoughtful gestures such as room upgrades and early check-ins.
• Location: Its prime location on Floriańska Street, just 100 meters from the Main Market Square, is a significant draw. This central position allows for easy walking access to all major Krakow attractions, including Wawel Royal Castle and St. Mary's Basilica.
• Design: The hotel masterfully blends its historical roots as a 17th-century palace with modern amenities. Guests appreciate the elegant decor, fabulously high ceilings, and the tasteful combination of traditional Polish walnut furniture and top-quality leather.
• Amenities: The hotel boasts a superb vaulted stone spa featuring a Finnish sauna, hammam, heated stone loungers with massage jets, a steam room, and a cold bath, providing a tranquil escape from the city. A fitness center with panoramic views, two distinct restaurants, and a historic wine cellar located in 14th-century vaults further enhance the guest experience. Free Wi-Fi and air conditioning are standard, and wellness and spa access are typically included with the room price.

3. Room Quality

The 57 individually furnished rooms and 11 suites at Hotel Pod Różą are noted for their spaciousness and comfort. They feature high ceilings and are traditionally decorated with subtle modern touches. Luxurious bathrooms are a highlight, often equipped with heated floors, Italian fittings, high-standard showering products, and frequently both a shower and a bath. In-room amenities typically include a king-size bed, L'Occitane toiletries, bathrobes, slippers, a living area with a sofa, a Nespresso coffee machine, a minibar, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, and free high-speed internet. Some rooms offer views of St. Mary's Basilica's towers. For optimal quiet, guests are advised to request rooms on higher floors, away from elevators, and overlooking the hotel courtyard.

4. Dining Experience

Hotel Pod Różą offers a distinguished culinary experience with two on-site restaurants. The main Restauracja Pod Różą, recognized by the Michelin Guide, specializes in modern Polish cuisine with international influences, often offering fine dining tasting menus under a stunning glass roof. The second restaurant, Amarone, provides an Italian, Tuscan-inspired dining experience in cozy rooms, ideal for a romantic dinner.

Breakfast at the hotel is "delicious" and "exceptional," consistently receiving high ratings (guest review score: 7.5). Guests can enjoy a lavish continental buffet featuring homemade bread, local hams and cheeses, tapenade, charcuterie, yogurt, granola, hummus, fresh fruits, vegetables, and salmon. A la carte options, such as Polish sausage, eggs Benedict, and various omelettes, are also available. The hotel's 14th-century cellar also houses a Vinoteka with over 300 varieties of Italian wine, recognized by Wine Spectator as one of the richest in the world.

5. Service & Staff

The service at Hotel Pod Różą is a consistently praised aspect of the guest experience. Staff members are frequently described as lovely, helpful, courteous, polite, welcoming, and very friendly. Reviewers often mention the staff's willingness to assist, providing early check-ins, room upgrades, and even preparing food packages for guests departing before breakfast hours.

6. Location & Accessibility

The hotel's location is considered "absolutely spot on" and "surreal". Situated at Floriańska 14, in the heart of Krakow's historic Old Town, it is just a two-minute walk from the Main Market Square and a short stroll to iconic landmarks like the Wawel Royal Castle (10-minute walk), St. Mary's Basilica, and the Cloth Hall. The Barbican Gateway is also a few moments away. The vibrant Jewish district of Kazimierz is approximately one kilometer distant. For transport, a bus stop is within a 10-minute walk, and the Kraków Main train station is about a 15-minute walk, while John Paul II International Krakow-Balice airport is 5 km away.

7. Value & Pricing

Hotel Pod Różą is generally seen as offering good value for money, though prices can fluctuate based on dates and hotel policies. The minimum price for a night for two people typically starts around €130 (approximately 560 PLN), with breakfast usually an optional extra. While most guests feel it is worth the cost, some have expressed that the pricing, for a 5-star hotel, might not entirely align with the perceived size of the spa area.

8. Common Complaints

While overwhelmingly positive, some minor criticisms have been noted by guests:

• One specific room (Room 108) was mentioned for audible plumbing noises from the sewage stack, which could be disruptive for light sleepers during the night or early morning.
• A guest noted that the spa area was "very tiny" and appeared larger in photographs, leading to a feeling that it didn't entirely meet 5-star expectations.
• Some reviewers found the number of vegetarian main courses on the restaurant menu to be limited.
• One guest described the bed as "medium comfortable" for a hotel of this caliber.
• A tasting lunch advertised as seven courses was reportedly served as six.

Sources

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