Krokow hotels or apartments

We loved our stay at the Hotel Wielopole. Though it was a while ago, recent reviews on booking confirm our experience remains. Very close to the center, closer yet to tram stops, friendly and helpful staff, excellent breakfast. Our room was comfortable and the bathroom was sparkling clean, literally. When we arrived, they offered a lower rate, explaining it had been reduced since we made the reservation. I was impressed. Coffee and cakes were in the lobby during the afternoon, another happy perk. They arranged a door to door tour for us to visit Auschwitz which was excellent and convenient. I’d recommend without hesitation.

I would recommend Hotel Wawel, which is within the old town on a quiet street, just a couple of blocks off the main square. I stayed there back in April and found it clean, comfortable, with an amazing breakfast in the Black Duck restaurant, which is attached to the hotel. Hotel was an excellent value, and a short walk from where the tram stops coming from the train station,

Keep in mind that you need to reserve in advance for dinner in the very popular restaurant.

I stayed at Hotel Wielpole last June based on other RS forum suggestions, and I was traveling solo (female). It was wonderful! The staff was incredible - I arrived early and my room wasn't ready so they upgraded me to a bigger room so I could shower and rest after traveling. When I came down to the front desk, one of the staff had printed out things to do for the days I was staying. They also have a local tour guide who leads tours from the hotel (I did not take it). It was a 15 minute walk to Old Town and lots of restaurants and shops to walk to. I dropped my laundry off at a nearby coffee shop that had a laundry service in the back (recommended by hotel). Breakfast each morning was lovely (extra cost). I took Bolt instead of taxi or Uber and it was soooo cheap and I felt safe. Rooms were clean; fridge, hot water pot with coffee and tea, TV, air conditioning, great shower and bathroom and they offered free umbrellas and snacks/coffee in lobby. They offered to arrange rental car but I was driving up to northern Poland and had already arranged it but they graciously called the rental agency to make sure they'd be there when I had scheduled to pick up car. 10/10!!

We stayed at Metropolitan Grand Hotel ul. Berka Joselewicza 19, 31-031 Kraków. This is a "worthwhile splurge" according to our host here, Rick Steves. This is in the old Jewish quarter, not "downtown", but we found that a tram got us anywhere we wanted to be in less than 12 minutes. There are plenty of "sights" in this direction, too.

We arrived by train from Wroclaw, and I want to mention that the signage to various, separate platforms for specific trams was impenetrable. I've been to Europe 50 times, but it was just good luck that we found our tram at the train station. We found taxis in Poland to be inexpensive, and drivers to be honest. However, there is a huge effort to force Dynamic Currency Conversion to any credit card charge. You have to pick scary sounding POS terminal "options", like "Do you want to refuse the guaranteed conversion rate?" in order to pay in Zlotys. Without notice, our hotel paid our advance deposit with DCC.

Google Maps suggests it's now called Metropolitan Boutique Hotel.

it was just good luck that we found our tram at the train station.

One area where a language barrier still exists in Poland is in relation to the names of tram stops and tram destinations. Especially for your arrival, it's advisable to use Google Maps, Citymapper, etc. to plan your route. In Google Maps, if you search on Krakow Glowny [main train station] and zoom in, to the left of the station on the street you'll see small tram icons - if you click or tap it should open a window showing the tram lines that stop there. You can then use the Directions function to find a route to your destination.

Before you arrive in Poland, install the Jakdojade app and create an account - it is the public transit app that works in Poland. Once you're on the ground, you can put in your destination and it will give you a route, hopefully including walking instructions. Since none of these apps are perfect, you may need to use a combination of them in some cases. Riding trams in Krakow is easy once your first or second trips.

Our Best of Poland tour last year stayed at the Hotel Grodek. Centrally located and comfortable, would recommend it.

I stayed in the old Jewish Quarter in October and can highly recommend it. Full of charming restaurants and boutique type of stores, plus the proximity to the many Synagogues.
Stayed at Shalom Kazamierz and loved it. Huge room, huge bathroom, delicious breakfast buffet. There are plenty of other hotels in this area too. Mine did not have an elevator, so that might be something you want to have in a hotel.
Took a taxi from the airport which was easier for me than figuring out the train schedules.
The trams are easy to use though and really cheap! I used them a lot to get into the city center though I walked a few times too as it wasn't that far and I liked looking around. This was also near the castle and the Dom.

The Radisson Blu on Floriana is really nice and very close to the main square and to the castle and river.Personnel were wonderful also.

My favorite hotel is in the Jewish district, but quirky so I rarely recommend it.

I am planning a trip to Poland in 2026. Can you tell me how far the Hotel Wielopole is to theJewish Quarter and is it accessible by the tram system. Just starting to plan.
Thank you!

Backyard

Can you tell me how far the Hotel Wielopole is to theJewish Quarter and is it accessible by the tram system

The hotel is practically on the tram route to Kazimierz, so you could make the trip in approximately 10 minutes. It could also be a pleasant walk. A bit farther to the Schindler Factory.

That trip would be very easy to research on Google Maps - it would be helpful to start becoming familiar with the layout of the city.

Also, the Jakdojade app is incredibly useful for navigating mass transit throughout Poland.