Sodispar Serviced Apartments

The Sodispar Serviced Apartments attract a varied clientele ranging from families and groups to business travelers on extended trips to students and backpackers. Housed in several buildings around central Krakow, most structures look solid and serviceable with little attention to aesthetic concerns. Interiors, however, are bright and pleasant; there may be a marble-walled foyer with an elegant, curved wrought iron banister. The reception area is a small and simple space, with a pink granite counter with wooden base that sits under bright lights. An upholstered sofa provides seating. Guests spend very little time here, as they are directed to their apartments on arrival with a set of keys and a map -- or can be picked up from the airport for a low fee, bypassing the need to check in at reception.

The apartments are housed in several different buildings situated in central Krakow -- some are in the Old Town, while others are a short walk from the historic sights. Most of the main attractions are within walking distance of the apartments, such as the main market square (some apartments are located right by the square) with its 14-century St. Mary's Basilica, the Cloth Hall, and numerous cafes, restaurants, and shops. Other nearby attractions include the National Museum of Krakow, Wawel Royal Castle, and the historic Jewish Quarter. The Wieliczka Salt Mine is a popular tourist destination that's about a half-hour drive from the city center, while the memorial and museum at Auschwitz-Birkenau is around an hour or an hour-and-a-half away. Balice Airport is about a 20-minute drive from Old Town. 

The 42 units of the Sodispar Apartments, each named for a city around the world, include tiny studios with kitchenettes to spacious two-bedrooms with sofa beds and dining rooms. All of the units have private bathrooms. The apartments, almost all reached via staircase, are decorated with contemporary furniture suited to the space. Studios have double beds with end tables across from kitchenettes with refrigerators, microwaves, toasters, and tea/coffee facilities. Some studios are more spacious and have full kitchens, while a few share kitchen space. All of the apartments have climate control, coffee- and tea-making facilities, free Wi-Fi, TVs, and safes. Beyond these, there is great variation in specific amenities based on the size and price of the rental. Some apartments have iPod docks, espresso-pod machines, jetted tubs, dishwashers, and washer/dryers, for example. Bathrooms are modern with new contemporary fixtures and glass shower stalls. Walls are typically tiled and may have heated towel racks. Each apartment includes Lavender brand toiletries. 

Features for the Sodispar Service Apartments are limited, as expected for apartment units with no shared common space. Guests who choose to pay the reasonable airport transfer rate offered by Sodispar report being happy with the price and the service. Arriving guests can bypass checking in at reception this way, which may be in a different building and location than their apartment. (They obtain keys and information about the apartment and neighborhood from the driver.) Though there is a full-time receptionist in only one of the buildings, guests can contact staff 24/7. The apartments are cleaned regularly, with fresh towels supplied as needed and linen changed once a week. Wi-Fi is free in all the apartments. Returning guests receive a discount for their booking.