Castle Inn

Castle Inn is a small property with spunky, unique decor but limited extras. The three-story building dates back to the 16th century and features top dormer windows, sconce lighting, and exposed brick accents. The lobby sets the scene, merging bright purple walls, velvety couches, and mural accents with tiled floors. That deep-purple look continues into the breakfast room and lounge, adding lavender button-tufted couches and dark wood furniture. This playfulness extends to the rooms, which are thematically decorated in a variety of themes from literary (Alice in Wonderland) to geographic (the Sahara).

While all this whimsy makes for a nice break from generic, chain-hotel decor, it doesn't distract from the fact that features, common spaces, an in-room extras are extremely limited. Case and point: There's no elevator and no air-conditioning in the building. Still, the property attracts plenty of tourists, thanks to its excellent location directly on Castle Square. And couples and solo travelers in particular are drawn by the single, twin, and double rooms.

Castle Inn is located directly on Castle Square in the heart of Old Town, right across from the Royal Castle. Historic sights, restaurants, and cafes are all in the neighborhood, some right next to the property. The city center and popular sights like the Palace of Culture and Science and the Warsaw Uprising Museum are a bit of a hike on foot, but can be reached in about 15 minutes via public transit. Lazienki Park is about a 15-minute drive. Warsaw Chopin Airport can be reached in about 25 minutes via car or 25 minutes via public transit, and Warsaw Central Station is about 15 minutes by car or public transit. Guests should note that the hotel is situated on a pedestrian street, and taxis can't pull directly up to the entrance to the hotel. 

The Castle Inn's 22 rooms are individually decorated with quirky, decor with themes ranging from locales to literature. The Alice Room has black and white checkered floors, The Twenties Room has damask wallpaper, and the Jungle Room features murals inspired by Henri Rousseau. While each room offers one-of-a-kind accents, they're otherwise rather simple, often with wall-to-wall carpeting, white walls, and wood furniture, though some have wood floors or painted walls. Several rooms have sloping ceilings, which can be awkward, especially for tall guests. And entry-level rooms, which include rooms for solo travelers, are especially tiny. Bathrooms also vary, but tend to be contemporary, with sinks, toilets, and shower stalls, but they can run small, too. 

Rooms come equipped with desks, TVs (some are small square TVs), safes, and free Wi-Fi, though some guests complain that the Wi-Fi doesn't reach the third floor. Bathrooms have toiletry dispensers. Upgraded rooms may include extras like sitting areas, electric kettles, and mini-fridges, but they aren't standard. There's no air-conditioning, so noise from open windows can be an issue when it's warm. Guests praise the rooms facing Castle Square for having especially great views. 

There's no doubt that Castle Inn has limited extra features. There's a small reception area and a lobby lounge that doubles as a breakfast area, where a decent buffet is served daily for an extra fee. Breakfast room service is also available, but there's no restaurant or bar on-site. The hotel has a 24-hour front desk and offers laundry service and luggage storage. Pets are allowed for an extra fee. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel, but some guests find it doesn't reach the third floor.