Hotel Wawel

Hotel Wawel is a comfortable three-star hotel on Poselska Street in the Old Town, between the Main Market Square and Wawel Hill. The building has a long history as a place to stay. In the early 19th century it was the Pod Czarnym Orłem, or Black Eagle, inn, run by Anthony and Margaret Bodurkiewicz. After a fire in 1850, a new owner, Katherine Romerowa, rebuilt it and renamed it the National Hotel, a name it kept into the 20th century. It has been privately owned since April 1995.

Traces of the building's past survive in the public areas. Look up as you arrive to see the glass roof over the entrance to the reception hall, and notice the staircase with its Art Nouveau iron balustrade. Rooms range from singles and doubles to apartments, which gives some flexibility for solo travellers, couples and small families.

For a three-star hotel the facilities are generous. There is a spa and wellness area decorated with fairytale-inspired murals, a massage service, a restaurant and an orangery, so guests can relax and eat without leaving the building. After a long day of walking on cobbles, a massage or an hour in the spa is a welcome way to recover before dinner. These extras make Hotel Wawel good value compared with larger hotels on the Main Market Square, while keeping the convenience of an Old Town address.

The location is excellent for sightseeing on foot. The hotel describes itself as in the very hub of the city, and from Poselska you can reach the Main Market Square in a few minutes and walk to Wawel Castle and Cathedral. Kazimierz is a short walk further south, and Pod Aniołami on Grodzka Street is nearby for dinner.

Hotel Wawel suits travellers who want a central, characterful base at a mid-range price, including couples, older visitors and anyone who prefers a smaller hotel to an international chain. Families should check room sizes and the availability of apartments when booking. Reservations can be made by phone or through the hotel's website, and it is wise to book well ahead for summer and December, when Old Town hotels fill up quickly.