Hotel Review

Intercontinental Warsaw, Poland

www.warsaw.intercontinental.com

 

THE HOTEL: Opened in 2004 the hotel has quickly established itself as Warsaw’s leading luxury property (the number of five-star hotels in the Polish capital does not run into double figures after both Hilton and Hyatt downgraded to four-star and three-star respectively in recent times). It has 326 guest rooms and suites and an additional 75 long-stay luxury suites.

 

WHERE IS IT? The hotel is located in the heart of the city and is one of its largest buildings. It is right next to the Palace of Culture and Science, one of the city’s key tourist sites. Within easy walking distance is the Old Town, another major attraction. It’s an easy 30-minute taxi transfer (22 Euros) to the city’s Frederic Chopin airport and just 300 m from the main train station and very close to bus and metro stations.

 

THE ROOM: I stayed in an entry-level, but very spacious, Standard guest room. Key features included an impressively-large L-shaped bathroom with a separate bath and shower and wall-to-wall views of a cityscape dominated by the Palace of Culture, which is Poland’s highest building. A ‘gift’ from Stalin, it stands somewhat austerely over the city. The room featured a king-size-bed, bar and coffee-making area, a work station and an ‘automated’ mini-bar (move it out of its slot in the fridge and it’ll appear on your bill!)

 

THE FACILITIES: The new-signature restaurant, Platter by Karol Okras (a well-known celebrity chef), offers traditional Polish fare with a classy modern twist that changes its menu each season (for example, autumn choices include lightly-grilled forest deer marinated in acacia liquor). Each Sunday a second restaurant, Downtown, serves up an award-winning buffet, for 35 euros. The One Bar is an open, relaxed bar with a good wine and cocktail list and ultra-comfy brown leather chairs. The E-Wedel café, in the lobby, features drinking chocolate, pralines and cakes from one of Poland’s best known chocolate-makers. The Riverview Wellness Centre, with a swimming pool, gym, sauna and steam bath, is located on the 43^rd and 44^th floors, with great views over the city. The Pearl Beauty Centre has a menu of facials, massages and hairdressing services..

 

RECOMMEND TO: Anyone looking for a highly-comfortable and top-quality hotel in a very central location.

 

THE COST: Rates fall as low as 75 euros, with breakfast, on weekends. During the week, these rise to a starting price of 189 euros for a King Bed Standard room.

 

CONTACT DETAILS: InterContinental Warsaw, Emilii Plater 49, 00-125, Warsaw, Poland Tel: +48 22 328 8441; E-mail: warsaw@ihg.com