This stay was from 3 to 8 April, though we have stayed many times at this hotel. It is of modern construction, looking out towards Wawel Castle and sits almost on the river. It is two stops on the tram (about 5 minutes) from the historic centre. As Krakow grows in popularity as a tourist destination, the main square gets very crowded. So we find it quite nice to stay somewhere slightly away from the crowds but still accessible,

We had room 425 which, as past frequent guests, we knew to ask for in advance. It had two large beds. The clothes hanging space is just adequate for short stays. There is wall safe for valuables. We used the kettle and tea/coffee making facilities. The bathroom and toilet are combined (often, in other Novotels they are separate). The bath and shower were integrated in a singular circular unit. The no-changing of towels daily to save energy was observed.

We like the basement pool, open from 0700. Though just 12.5 metres long we never shared it with more than 2 other people.

Breakfast is buffet style, with several juices, cut and whole fruit, cheeses, fishes, breads and pastries. There are hot bain-maries but we have never sampled their contents.

The two bartenders have been there some years, and are friendly and efficient.

We paid EUR 120 per night including breakfast. More than in winter but the tourist season is getting into gear.

For many years the hotel has grappled with the ventilation system. Even with the thermostat at its lowest, we needed this time to open the window to cool the room down.

My partner brought me here for my birthday and we had a great time. When we arrived at the hotel it was bright and welcoming. The staff were very friendly and immediately welcomed you. When we went to our room we were very pleased with it as it was spacious, bright and clean. They had a beautiful birthday cake waiting for us in our room, which I was really chuffed with and thought it was a nice thought.
The hotel is very modern but has a great buzz about it. The staff were all really friendly and attentive and made our stay very pleasant.
The location was great as there was a tram stop right outside the door which made it very easy to get about.
The hotel facilities were excellent and the breakfast was superb.
I definitely recommend this hotel and will be back.

This hotel shares a building with it's cheaper cousin the Ibis. We were able to find a good deal on their website so we upgraded to the Novotel for a 3 night visit to Krakow.

Our room had a great view of the river and the castle. That alone was worth staying here. But most rooms overlook the nearby cross streets so ask for a view if you can.

The room slept 3 and had room to move around. They did not mind us totally emptying out the mini-bar and using it as a fridge until we left.

Breakfast was far from cheap at 17 Euros per adult. However, they provided a full buffett, going beyond your normal European meat/cheese/cereal/bread items. This helped to dull the pain a bit.

The hotel has a pool, a hot tub that pumped cold water and was far from hot, a sauna, and a very nice gym area. They were very nice and loaned my daughter some goggles during our stay. Our only complaint was that one day they were way behind on the laundry and there were no clean towels in the pool area at all.

Parking is in a heated garage and there are elevators to the upper floors. It costs 25 Euros a day or so, which was NOT a good value in my opinion. However, if you are a party of adults they will loan you bikes for free if you pay to park there. Otherwise you may rent the bikes. There are no bikes for children so this didn't help us.

There is a gas station right outside the parking garage. The prices are not the best but it is full service. You can buy waters there much cheaper than in the hotel.

They had free internet computers in the lobby and that was very nice, although there were only two of them and they were often full. Many big bus tours stayed here during their mad dashes across Eastern Europe, usually only spending 2 nights and 1 day in Krakow and the surrounding area.

The center of the old city is about a 15 minute walk from here if you know the best route and maybe 30 minutes if you do not. It took us 15 minutes with a GPS to drive to the salt mines. Go early if you can. And it was maybe an hour to the concentration camps, again using a GPS.

As we were leaving the hotel our GPS was having trouble finding the best route out of town. It was snowing and reception was not that great. A police car thought we were up to no good and flashed us. When they saw the situation they gave us an escort out of town with the lights on and everything. This was the highlight of the whole trip for my daughter.

If you have to pay full price to stay here I would probably look elsewhere unless price is no object. But if you can get a good deal and bring this hotel down to just expensive, instead of amazingly expensive, it is a nice place to stay and I would go back.

Just returned from a 3 night break in Krakow,for a friends 40th,had a great time there,the hotel is ideal for what we required,we arrived slightly early ,at first we were told we cuoldnt check in until 2pm,we arrived around 12,but after a quick check by the helpful Karoline at reception,she found 2 rooms ready for us,1st time iv stayed in a novotel,but the rooms are fine,2 king size beds,satellite tv,good shower with plenty hot water,on checking in a friend requested an iron &it was at the room before we'd put our bags down,we missed breakfast on the saturday morning too much of the local brew,but phoned room service who provided 2 continental breakfast,which included cornflakes,fruit juice,yoghurt,selection of pastries,tea/coffee & there was no charge for it!!made use of the leisure facilities,nice pool,sauna etc,always seemed to be quiet,booked a trip to auschwitz on the sunday through the hotel,no probs again,picked up&dropped off at hotel,120zl,maybe get it cheaper if shop around,but saved us the hassle,the hotel is about 10/15mins walk to the main square,or a quick taxi ride,about 10 zl if i remember ,we also got a taxi from airport to hotel & back should be between 60&70 zl,all in all a very enjoyable stay at the centrum & in krakow