Within walking distance of major attractions including Old Town
Modern rooms with flat-screen TVs, kettles, and mini-fridges
Suites have minibars and separate living rooms
European restaurant and rooftop restaurant with city views
Chic bar and lounge serves drinks and desserts
Wellness area with fitness room, sauna, baths, and showers
Breakfast buffet with hot and cold items (fee for some)
Perks like room service and public computer
Three fully-equipped meeting rooms
Free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel
Fitness room is small and has only three machines
Problems with lost reservations have been noted
Hotel Kossak is a mid-range property conveniently located near Krakow's Old Town and within walking distance of many tourist sites. Its rooftop restaurant and some of the guest rooms offer lovely views of Wawel Royal Castle. The 60 modern rooms are equipped with mini-fridges, flat-screen TVs, and electric kettles, but beyond that, there’s nothing particularly special about them. Dining options are plentiful -- guests can choose between two restaurants -- plus there's a bar. There's also a wellness area with a few machines, sauna, and baths -- a nice perk for this category of hotel in Krakow. Queen Boutique Hotel is a sharp alternative, offering extras like a free breakfast with unlimited sparkling wine and a spa with treatments, though it will be a bit pricier.
Scene
Contemporary hotel with great views of Wawel Castle
Located next to the Vistula River, Hotel Kossak has a prime location in the city center with striking views of Wawel Royal Castle from its rooms and rooftop restaurant. The building dates back to 1931 and officially opened as the current seven-story hotel in 2009, and interiors are modern. Glossy floors and a black-and-maroon desk make up the front entrance, while further in guests will find the lobby lounge that doubles as a bar. It has modern purple armchairs, tables, a display of brochures and maps, and a quirky black horse lamp. One of the most attractive spaces is the rooftop restaurant, which has gray tile floors, red and tan contemporary chairs pulled up to tables topped with white linens, and floor-to-ceiling windows offering spectacular city views -- it's one of the most popular features with the hotel's past guests. The clientele here is composed largely of couples, though business travelers are catered to as well. Note that there have been reports of problems with lost reservations -- and the same occurred to us when we arrived.
Location
Centrally located, within walking distance of attractions and dining options
The hotel is centrally located within walking distance of most tourist sites and close to the Vistula River. The immediate area itself is filled with some restaurants and stores. Krakow's lovely Old Town is less than a 10-minute walk away, including the city's main square. Wawel Royal Castle is also an 11-minute walk away, while it takes about 20 minutes on foot to reach Kazmierz, the Jewish District. For those who prefer to cab it, the Jewish District is a 10-minute drive from the hotel. Krakow Glowny, the main train station, is about an eight-minute drive or a 25-minute walk. Balice International Airport is a 15- to 20-minute drive, or a 20-minute train ride from the main train station.
Rooms
Simple, modern rooms with flat-screen TVs, kettles, and mini-fridges
Rooms at the Hotel Kossak are fairly spacious, with modern decor that's a bit chain-like. Details include cream walls, wooden furniture, and purple accents like velour bed runners and striped curtains. Still, they’re clean and pleasant, with suites offering more space in the form of separate living rooms with futuristic purple chairs and loveseats. Some might find it worth booking rooms with views of the Wawel Royal Castle. All rooms include amenities like flat-screen TVs, kettles, free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, safes, and mini-fridges, while Suites are equipped with minibars. Bathrooms are similarly modern, with cream tiles, porcelain white sinks, shower/tub combos with glass dividers, as well as hairdryers and toiletries.
Features
Two restaurants include one on the roof, plus a modest wellness facilities and meeting rooms
Hotel Kossak's best feature is its rooftop restaurant, Cafe Oranzeria, which provides stunning views of Wawel Royal Castle. It serves European cuisine and has a lovely terrace with even lovelier views of the Castle and Old Town. Percheron Restaurant is another on-site dining option, with an intimate vibe and a menu of European and international dishes. The chic lobby bar serves coffee, cocktails, and desserts throughout the day. A breakfast buffet of meats, cheeses, fruit, and pastries is offered in the mornings, with made-to-order omelets and pancakes available as well; it's included in some room rates. Room service is also available. Though there’s no pool or full-service spa, the hotel provides a sauna, showers, and baths, plus a tiny fitness room with three cardio machines, a few free weights, and step boards. Business travelers are catered to with three meeting rooms, a public computer, and free Wi-Fi throughout the property. Garage parking is available for a fee.