Mamaison Residence Diana Warsaw

Mere minutes from bustling Nowy Świat, Residence Diana is tucked between streets and entered via a cobbled courtyard. Although originally built in the 1800's, the imposing building’s reincarnation as a modern hotel is evident as soon as you enter the sprawling lobby with its vibrantly colored accent walls and brightly upholstered couches. A long, clean-lined reception desk with a dark wood backdrop adds another contemporary note. (A little computer station for guests sits right beside it.) Multiple conversational clusters invite lingering, but the business and leisure travelers who book in here will also find plenty of room for that upstairs in their private quarters. Because of the space and convenience these provide, many come for extended stays.

The city-center location -- in Diana Passage, just off Chmielna Street -- is arguably this hotel’s greatest asset, at least as far as sightseers are concerned. Housed in a lovely 19th-century building, its cobbled courtyard ensures a quiet setting; however, Warsaw's major sights are conveniently close by. Nowy Świat, part of the Royal Route and home to the Polish capital’s’ premiere dining and shopping options, is only a four-minute walk away; top attractions (like the Fryderyk Chopin Museum, the Palace of Culture and Science, and the National Museum) can also be reached easily on foot. Guests can even walk to Old Town, Lazienki Park (the city’s largest) and the Royal Castle in under 25 minutes, though using the efficient public transport system takes about half that time. Note that the airport can be accessed via public transport, too: alternately, guests can take advantage of a hotel shuttle service, which is available for a fee. 

• Four-minute walk to Nowy Świat 
• Eight-minute walk to Centrum Metro Station 
• Nine-minute walk to Fryderyk Chopin Museum
• 10-minute walk to the Palace of Culture and Science
• 12-minute walk to the National Museum 
• 16-minute walk to Warszawa Centralna railway station 
• 10 minutes to Lazienki Park by public transport
• 12 minutes to the Royal Castle by public transport
• 13 minutes to Old Town by public transport
• 18 minutes to the Museum of the History of Polish Jews by public transport
• 19 minutes to the Warsaw Rising Museum by public transport
• 33 minutes to the Warsaw Chopin Airport by public transport

Although it's housed in an historic building, there is nothing traditional about the decor at the Residence Diana. On the contrary, it has a crisp contemporary feel with pops of color that brighten an otherwise neutral palette. The resulting style is perhaps best described as “21st-century boutique.” 

Its ample studios and one- or two-bedroom suites range in size from 484 to 1,098 square feet. Configurations vary, but all have areas for sleeping, dining, sitting, and working (a few also have balconies, which can be requested at the time of booking). All, moreover, have above-average kitchenettes with a stove-top, microwave, mini-fridge and coffeemaker, as well as a solid supply of cookware, dishes, and utensils. The bathrooms -- most with a shower/tub combo, others with a whirlpool bath and separate shower stall -- are big across the board and have a pebbled beach-y look; the hairdryers and towel warmers they contain are welcome extras. 

Other in-room perks include air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs with cable, DVD players and sound systems, plus free Wi-Fi. Such amenities (together with the hotel's handy self-serve laundry facilities) will make any guest feel right at home… assuming their home has daily housekeeping service. 

The kitchenettes here are well kitted-out so guests may be inspired to do their own cooking, but it is worth noting that the airy downstairs restaurant -- Mąka i Woda (Flour and Water) -- ranks among Warsaw’s best Italian eateries. Specializing in authentic, wood-fired Neapolitan pizzas, it also serves handmade pasta, antipasti, and salads plus a smattering of local specialties. Room service is available for those who want to order something up, and a buffet breakfast is offered each morning for an extra charge. In addition to its restaurant, Residence Diana features a pair of small meeting rooms, a 24-hour front desk with multilingual staff and concierge services, an airport shuttle and underground parking garage (fees apply), free laundry facilities, a free computer station in the lobby, and free Wi-Fi throughout. Free cribs or for-a-fee rollaway cots are available for families, and babysitting can be provided at extra cost.