Hotel Unicus Palace Old Town

Hotel Unicus Palace Old Town, Krakow: A Michelin Key Selected Gem in the Heart of the City

Hotel Unicus Palace Old Town, a Michelin Key Selected property in Krakow, consistently receives high praise from guests for its prime location, elegant design, and exceptional service. Housed within a beautifully adapted historic townhouse, it offers a luxurious yet comfortable stay, blending historical charm with contemporary amenities.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for Hotel Unicus Palace is overwhelmingly positive, with guests frequently describing it as "outstanding," "amazing," and a "gem." It earns high scores for location (9.8), cleanliness (9.7), comfort (9.5), and staff performance (9.5). The hotel joined the prestigious collection of hotels recommended by the Michelin Guide in 2025.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently rave about several aspects of Hotel Unicus Palace:

• Location: Its "super central location" in the Old Town, just steps from the Main Market Square, St. Mary's Church, and the Cloth Hall, is a major draw.
• Service & Staff: The staff are frequently highlighted as "kind and welcoming," "friendly, helpful, and always available," and providing "excellent service."
• Design & Ambiance: The hotel combines the history of the 17th-century Tarnowski Palace with contemporary arrangements, luxurious furnishings, and original art, creating a unique and captivating atmosphere. Public areas, including airy hallways, are noted as stunning.
• Cleanliness: The hotel is consistently described as "spotlessly clean" and pristine, earning a remarkable cleanliness rating of 9.7.
• Breakfast: The buffet breakfast is a frequent highlight, offering a wide selection of treats.

3. Room Quality

The rooms at Hotel Unicus Palace are described as elegant, spacious, and very comfortable. They are tastefully appointed with functional furnishings and a smart contemporary spin on 19th-century Polish interiors, featuring muted tones and patterned wallpaper. Many rooms offer excellent views over lively Old Town thoroughfares.

Specific room features mentioned include:

• Comfortable beds, often King-sized, and fluffy duvets.
• Air conditioning, Wi-Fi, refrigerator, minibar, and electric kettle.
• Modern bathrooms with showers (some with large walk-in showers) and sometimes luxurious free-standing bathtubs.
• Premium bedding, down comforters, heated floors, bathrobes, and blackout drapes in some rooms for ultimate comfort.
• Available room types range from single and double rooms (20-26 sqm) to deluxe apartments (55 sqm) and suites (48 sqm).

4. Dining Experience

The hotel offers a highly-rated breakfast, which is often a highlight for guests. It's a generous buffet featuring regional products from Małopolska, served in a cozy cellar-level restaurant, with a wide selection of hot and cold options, including made-to-order items. While the hotel provides a good breakfast, it generally does not have an on-site restaurant for other meals. However, its central location means guests are a very short walk from a "fantastic choice of places to eat," with numerous cafes and restaurants nearby.

5. Service & Staff

The service at Hotel Unicus Palace is consistently praised as exceptional. Guests report that the entire personnel are "welcoming, pleasant, and informative." The dedicated and professional team is noted for going "above and beyond to provide personalized service," making guests feel valued and well taken care of. The front desk staff are described as "excellent friendly" and helpful. English-speaking staff are available at the 24-hour front desk.

6. Location & Accessibility

Hotel Unicus Palace boasts an "excellent central position" in Krakow's Old Town, just 210 meters (approximately a 2-minute walk) from the Main Market Square. This allows guests to reach major attractions like St. Mary's Church, the Cloth Hall, and the Czartoryski Museum in just a few minutes. The Wawel Royal Castle is also within walking distance (about 1.4-1.7 km or 20 minutes), and the Kazimierz Jewish District is around 1.5 km away. Public transport options, including bus stops, are conveniently located nearby. Krakow Airport is approximately a 30-minute taxi ride away.

7. Value & Pricing

While offering a luxurious stay, Hotel Unicus Palace is considered to provide "exceptional value for money." The average price per room is around $196, which is higher than the average hotel room in Krakow ($93), but guests find the experience justifies the cost for its luxury and prime location. Rates can start from PLN 425.

8. Common Complaints

Recurring issues or criticisms are generally minor:

• One guest noted that the breakfast, while good, "missed smoked salmon and cream cheese," and croissants were "below average."
• The hotel initially did not have a dedicated bar, with staff stating it was in the "initial state of operation."
• A few guests mentioned it could be "a bit hard to find" when arriving late at night.
• Despite being a 5-star hotel, it does not offer an on-site restaurant for lunch or dinner, though numerous excellent dining options are readily available in the immediate vicinity.

Sources

1. hotelunicuspalace.pl
2. visitkrakow.com
3. booking.com
4. booking.com
5. agoda.com
6. hotelsofkrakow.net
7. hotelunicus.pl
8. hotelunicuskrakow.com
9. hotels.com
10. krakowhotel.net