Hotel Stary

Hotel Stary occupies a tenement house with several centuries of history on Szczepańska Street, a few steps from the Main Market Square. The building has been converted into one of the Old Town's leading five-star hotels, part of the Kraków-based LHR group, and its interiors have been widely praised: it won the Paris-based Prix Villégiature in 2007, an award given for the most beautiful hotel interior in Europe.

Rooms and suites are individually designed, which means no two are quite the same. The location is the hotel's great advantage. You can walk to the Main Market Square in a minute, and the Cloth Hall, St Mary's Basilica and the Rynek Underground are all within a few minutes on foot, so sightseeing starts the moment you step out of the door. In the evening, the same short walk brings you back from dinner or a concert without the need for a taxi, which is a real advantage in winter. Szczepańska Street is a side street rather than the square itself, so the hotel feels slightly removed from the crowds while staying at the centre of everything.

The hotel's wellness area is one of the most memorable in the city. It sits in the building's medieval cellars, one level below the street, and includes two swimming pools, a sauna and a salt-iodine grotto. It is a pleasant way to recover after a day of walking on cobbles.

Dining is covered by two restaurants. 3 Rybki is an elegant ground-floor restaurant with a menu based on traditional Polish cuisine, while Rybki Nove spreads over two levels in the newer part of the hotel. Both are convenient for guests who prefer not to go out in search of dinner, and the hotel also has a conference centre for business travellers.

Hotel Stary suits couples on a special trip, travellers who want five-star comfort in the heart of the Old Town and anyone who values a spa as part of their stay. Families should check room configurations when booking, as historic buildings vary in layout. Book directly through the hotel's website or by email. Kraków Główny station is within walking distance, and Plac Szczepański is at the end of the street.