The hotel: The number of five-star hotels in the Polish capital does not run into double figures and few win more awards and plaudits than the Intercontinental. Located in the heart of the city and one of its largest buildings, this is first and foremost a business hotel (80% business travellers, 20% leisure). The hotel has 326 guest rooms and suites and an additional 75 long-stay luxury suites (that come in six different configurations). It’s an easy 30-minute taxi transfer (22 Euros) to the city’s Frederic Chopin Airport.
The check-in: There was no-one to meet and greet me as I stepped out of the taxi and I made my own way to the spacious and bright reception. A late-morning Friday arrival ensured a lobby free of other guests and a speedy and efficient registration process.
The room: I stayed in an entry-level, but spacious, Standard guest room. Key features included an impressively-large L-shaped bathroom with a separate bath and shower and wall-to-wall views of a cityscape dominated by the impressive Palace of Culture, a ‘gift’ from Stalin and Poland’s highest building. The room featured a king-size-bed, bar and coffee-making area, a work station and an ‘automated’ mini-bar (move it out of its slot in the fridge and it’ll appear on your bill!)
The business: The room's 42-inch LCD TV offered access to the internet, movies, music, etc. – for a 24-hour rate of 99ZL (about £21). Internet access is also available by cable, or via the third-floor business centre, open 24 hours. Thirteen conference rooms – all with natural sunlight – and several meetings rooms are available. The E-Wedel café, in the lobby, also attracted a number of informal business encounters and can organise banquets and company events.
The facilities:The Riverview Wellness Centre, with a swimming pool, gym, sauna and steam bath, is located on the 43rd and 44th floors, with great views over the city. There’s a Club lounge on the 41st floor that serves a generous range of food, beers and wines, etc., up until 21.00. The One Bar is an open, relaxed bar with comfy brown leather chairs. The new-signature restaurant, Platter by Karol Okras (a celebrity chef), offers traditional Polish fare with a classy modern twist (for example, autumn choices include lightly-grilled forest deer marinated in acacia liquor). The Pearl Beauty Centre has a menu of facials, massages and hairdressing services.
The verdict: Open only since 2004 the hotel quickly established itself as Warsaw’s leading luxury property. It’s an excellent choice due to its location, its spacious and luxurious rooms, and its range of quality restaurants and bars.
THE
The details: InterContinental Warsaw, Emilii Plater 49, 00-125, Warsaw, Poland Rates fall as low as 75 euros, with breakfast, on weekends. During the week, these rise to a starting price of 189 euros for a King Bed Standard room. Tel: +48 22 328 8441; www.warsaw.intercontinental.com. http://www.warsaw.intercontinental.com/secms Steve Hartridge
