Kristi

I've made reservations at the Novotel Centrum in Warsaw which I believe is close to the Palace of Culture. I got a rate of 78 euros (Breakfast and taxes included). Is this an OK hotel? Is the area OK to stay in? I know it looks relatively charmless and large but we will only be there for 2 days and are really just looking for a clean/comfortable room in a good location.

Thanks.

Gino

Kristi,
You won't go wrong with this hotel. However, it is not the best location for seeing the old town.
My pick would be the Hotel Europejeski close to old town. This is Warsaw's oldest hotel dating back to 1905. It has a lot of charm and an excellent breakfast. Prices for both hotels are close. Both of these hotels are owned by Orbis, Poland's largest travel agency. The Europejeski is a much better location for all the sights of Warsaw--all within short walking distance.

PeterB

Europejski has a good location... also may want to check Orbis USA web page for prices - which should be lower then direct offered by hotel
http://www.orbistravel.com/
Those guys also have good prices on flights to Poland - Located in New York they except cards for payment - and can fax or mail vouchers or mail tickets... (for what ever reason they have even better prices if check/MO is used so ask for both types of payments when doing business with them).

PeterB

New name confused me a bit Novotel Centrum was called Forum Hotel in past ... it is very distinctive in its sandy yellowish color... Rooms are very nice and clean - although make sure you do not have one which is right next to the elevator (which gets noisy)... Ask for top floors - for a great view of Warsaw thru their large windows... Orbis lists this as 4 star compared to 3 star Europejski. Also this location is great for any food to be delivered to your hotel (and non hotel shops will deliver pizza etc. if you don't want to use hotels restaurant - which is also good). Definitly good pick... Ask hotel staff on which bus/tran to use to get to old City...Also do not use taxies parked right in front of hotel - they are rip off - call for one - or just go on street and grab one from street...

Kristi

Thanks for the feedback Peter and Gino. I'll check out the Europejeski once we figure out what we are going to see but I think we will stick with the Novotel (which indeed used to be the Forum) as the rates are better.

Gino

Kristi
By all means, check out the Europejski. The prices are similiar. The Centrum is a good hotel, but the area has a lot to be desired as compared to the europejski
The Europejski is much better located.
Everytime you leave the Centrum you will be faced with getting on trams to go to the old town area. I have stayed twice at the Europejski and would not hesitate to do it again. You are in the center of things there. Not so with the Centrum. I have also stayed at the five star Bristol across the street from the Europejski in which I got a great weekend deal on Travelocity. You might try Travelocity, because they have great deals on the Bristol if you reserve early enough.

PeterB

Holiday Inn and Marriott Hotel are also located in same area... there is a good choice of restaurants in this area - from Indian to McDonalds there are also many shops and shoping centers in this area for any type of shopping - being an exact Center Trams and City Buses will take you quickly to Old Town as well as Airport. Actually much of Warsaw hotels are in this area... Europejski is closer to Old City and it's older oldfashion in style - Forum is modern and can be compared to Holiday Inn Sherton etc.

Enjoy...

Travelnick

Agree with location downsides on Novotel - the immediate area is hideous (marvel at communism town planning and architecture at its worst) and at night time it is the one area where locals advise to be careful. Taxis in Warsaw are 95% of time great - just get that metre on at right rating. It is nothing like Budapest or Prague for taxi rip offs. I always think Europeski looks incredibly dated from lobby appearance. But for price, maybe. Would definitely prefer location to Novotel.

joegri

How about the Sofitel Victoria? Good location; nice rooms, pleasant staff, etc.?
Don't mean to step on your post Kristi, but knowledgeable people seem to be tuned into your post. Thanks.

PeterB

Victoria is a great hotel - building it self outside looks bit depressing with it's communist architecture, but inside is very dated clean and upscale. With very nice upscale restaurants. Service is great so it's location - (located bit closer to Old city then Europejski) - they also had great breakfest (one of the very few hotels where eggs tasted like eggs). Definitly a great pick esspecially with their weekend rates.

PeterB

Travelnick> in much of the Warsaw at night you need to be careful. As for this specific hotel - I've stayed in many Warsaw Hotels - Europejski and Forum included, and my personal prefrence when comparing those 2 is definitly Forum (for value and what it offeres). Victoria being much better choice (for joegri). Underground tunnels in this area are bit scary and very busy so is Central Station at night - but like in any larger city - travelers just need to make sure of what and who is around them. As I have mention before Holiday Inn and Marriott Hotel are in same area...

joegri

Thank you Peter and you too Kristi.

Travelnick

Sofitel is an OK hotel - bit characterless (the awful architecture of the Intercontinental Group - hotel used to be IC)and was rather lifeless at night (Sheraton is my definite choice for some buzz in the bars at night), but as the other correspondent said newly done up, so rooms are high quality and location is good. Internet rates can as the other person mentioned be very good.
Point made about underground tunnels by PeterB is very true!

Gino

Who am I to get the last word regarding Poland. I've been there 4 times, however, no matter what I say, it will be challanged. therefore, do what you wnat to
Peter, GO FOR IT!!.

GSteed

Do you want an American Holiday Inn experience? Or a Polish hotel one? Try the Polonia. Across from Forum. Try hotel searches..most have sites.

Kristi

There was another thread on the Grand Hotel in Warsaw, someone mentioned that the Polonia is closed for renovations.

PeterB

Gino > I don't think anyone is trying to challange what you saying - we just want to provide others info - so they can make a decission. Different people like different things. I was born in Poland and lived there for many years, now travel to Poland at least once twice a year, and I'm still no expert on constantly growing and changing Poland.

BTW Polonia I think is under construction for some time now - but also Warszawa from the same hotel chain is a great budget option...
http://www.syrena.com.pl/