PURO Kraków Stare Miasto

The Puro Hotel is situated in a stylish, square six-story building with a glass facade accented in purple neon lights. Inside, the bright and eclectic modern decor feels both sophisticated and casual. The lobby offers a chic hangout spot with carpet in a graphic yellow-and-gray floral pattern and a bright array of contemporary furniture, including green couches with mismatched cushions and Eames-style chairs. Funky black-and-yellow shelves cover one of the walls, displaying a collection of assorted knickknacks including ceramic animals. The hotel's casual restaurant makes for another stylish space, with beautiful wood floors, long wooden tables, round white cafe tables, and an array of sleek Scandinavian-style wooden chairs. There are few extra property features here but the fashionable public spaces give guests -- both tourists and business travelers -- a reason to linger. 

Situated about a 10-minute walk from the heart of Krakow's historic Old Town, the Puro Hotel sits in a corner building across the street from the Galeria Krakowska, the second biggest shopping center in the city. On the other side of the mall is the city's main train and bus hub, Krakow Glowny -- travelers can walk through the mall to reach the station. Rynek Glowny (Main Market Square) as well as St. Mary’s Basilica are a 13-minute walk from here. Wawel Royal Castle, Schindler’s Factory, and ICE Krakow Congress Center are about a 10-minute drive from the hotel. The Wieliczka Salt Mine is about a 30-minute drive, while Krakow’s Balice Airport can be reached in around 20 minutes. Underground parking is available on-site, but it's limited and costs an extra fee.

Rooms at Puro Hotel are chic and modern with lots of amenities. Though the entry-level Superior Rooms are tiny, Corner Rooms and Suites offer more space. A double room might have gray wall-to-wall carpeting, light wood furniture, white walls, and an accent wall finished with a delicate floral design. Tufted, mustard-yellow headboards and matching drapes add a dash of color. Guests find the Hilding beds comfortable. Even the smallest rooms have gray cup-shaped chairs and little tables, as well as small desks and open wardrobes with storage space and safes. All rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows, so they get lots of natural light.

Bathrooms are modern and stylish with heated gray tile floors -- but they're tiny. They include a standing shower or separate shower and tub in upper-category rooms. Some guests complain of the transparent glass wall (etched with flowers) that separates the space from the bedroom, but there's a gray privacy curtain that allows it to be closed off from the room. Bathrooms include toiletries and hairdryers.

Lighting, air-conditioning, heat, and the TVs are controlled by a Samsung touch-screen tablet. The tablets double as phones, offering free international and national calls. Wi-Fi is also free. USB charging sockets and 40-inch LED smart TVs come standard as well. Other features include mini-fridges and free bottled water, but no coffee/tea facilities (though it's available free in the lobby all day). 

Puro has several nice features, but they're limited compared to other upscale properties. The hotel has a chic but casual restaurant, cafe, and bar, DYSTRYKT ONE, which serves food through the early evening, including fresh-baked bread and cookies, and free coffee and tea all day. There's a daily breakfast buffet, though it's not included in room rates. Room service is available during limited hours.

The hotel has a stylish lobby hangout spot, a 24-hour front desk, and a concierge who can help arrange transportation, laundry and dry-cleaning services, and book tours/tickets. An on-site meeting room can host up to 25 guests. In-room massages are available. The hotel has free bike rentals, and there's underground parking, though spots are limited and it costs an extra fee. Wi-Fi is free as are international calls using the in-room tablet. Dogs and cats are allowed for an extra fee.