ul. Rynek Glowny 44, Krakow, Poland | (888) 710-7049
In a historic building on the Main Market Square
Within walking distance of most attractions
Distinctive rooms, some with whirlpools and square views
All feature AC, iPhone docks, flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi
Handsome bathrooms include hydro-massage showers
Minibars are stocked with free soft drinks
Free fruit plate and bottle of Prosecco on arrival
Quaint Polish restaurant and pizzeria on-site
Cozy sports-centric pub on ground floor
Large all-season dining deck overlooking the Square
Past guest give high marks for service
Accommodations can feel cramped
Brick walls and odd layouts won’t suit all tastes
Street noise is an issue in front-facing rooms
No business center or fitness facilities
Breakfast typically costs extra
Entry can get clogged by outdoor diners and pedestrians
Location alone may be enough to justify a stay at this upper-middle-range boutique hotel on the Main Market Square, but its distinctive, brick-walled rooms help account for the high number of return guests. The 30 air-conditioned options come well-equipped with minibars stocked with free drinks, iPhone docks, flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, hydro-massage showers, and -- in some cases -- two-person whirlpools. Two restaurants and a pub also share the Betmanowska’s 16th-century premises, spilling out into the square itself. There are, however, few other features to speak of. If you’d prefer a familiar brand name with more amenities (including a fitness room and business center) consider the nearby Holiday Inn Krakow instead.
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Scene
A unique boutique property in a lively location
The little lobby of this lemony-yellow, five-story hotel is decorated in a slick contemporary fashion. But its vaulted ceilings and ornamental plasterwork are reminders of the building’s age -- all of which point to the fact that this property has occupied a coveted Old Town location for some 600 years. Aside from that lobby, there are no guest-only common areas to gather in. The folks who stay here (mostly vacationing couples) don’t seem to mind, though, because Krakow's Main Market Square is literally on the doorstep. Filled with sites and ringed by restaurants, it bustles day and night, with the Betmanowska’s own offerings (two eateries and a pub) contributing to the buzz.
Location
On the Main Market Square, in the heart of Old Town
Boasting a prime location in the beating heart of Krakow, this hotel sits on the Main Market Square offering easy access to must-sees like the Cloth Hall, St. Mary's Basilica, and Town Hall Tower. Other popular attractions -- including Wawel Castle -- can be reached on foot in under 15 minutes. Although car access is restricted in the surrounding area, droshkies (horse-drawn carriages) line up opposite the hotel, offering a charming alternative for guests who’d rather ride than walk. Hop-on/hop-off tourist shuttles also congregate nearby. Note that airport or train-station transfers can be arranged on-site, as can city tours and excursions that will take you as far as the Tatra Mountains. If you’ve brought your own car, paid parking can be reserved nearby. - One-minute walk to the Cloth Hall or St. Mary's Basilica
Rooms
Well-equipped rooms with exposed-brick walls and some quirky layouts
Since they’re in a centuries-old building, guest rooms are all laid out differently. But they share key amenities, including individually controlled air-conditioning, tea/coffee-making equipment, digital safes, flat-screen TVs, iPhone docks, free Wi-Fi, and little freebies that have earned plaudits from past guests -- like a fruit plate and bottle of Prosecco on arrival plus minibars restocked daily with soft drinks. All units also have a common look, their exposed-brick walls balanced out by banks of mirror panels (these help keep the rooms from feeling too claustrophobic, but the ample use of them may be a touch too "disco" for some). Deluxe Rooms and Junior Suites add two-person whirlpools as well as windows overlooking the bustling square; both, however, come with caveats. The former, located in the living area, can be oddly positioned, while the latter subject light sleepers to street noise (the hotel obligingly provides earplugs). Across the board, bright white bathrooms come with hydro-massage showers, pretty pedestal sinks, Baroque-style mirrors, and thick monogrammed towels.
Features
Two restaurants and a pub, but no fitness or business facilities
Like many historic hotels, the Betmanowska has limited space for perks like a fitness room or business center, but it does deliver on the dining and drinking front. Its eateries and cozy pub, complete with leather banquettes and big-screen TVs, are atmospheric and popular features. The two restaurants have very different atmospheres. The wood-paneled Staropolska is a traditional Polish option which looks like it was imported intact from the countryside, while Virtuoso is a pizzeria with a huge stone oven and more streamlined decor. The first of these serves a sustaining, old-school breakfast buffet each morning at extra cost, with tables reserved for guests either indoors or outside on a massive year-round terrace that faces the square. Other on-site amenities include a 24-hour reception desk with multilingual staff; concierge and laundry/dry-cleaning services; and free Wi-Fi throughout.
