Auschwitz/Birkenau area hotels
Apr 20, 2016, 1:12 pm
#1
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Auschwitz/Birkenau area hotels
I know it's a grim subject but I will visit later this year and wondered if anyone has any suggestions where to stay for a night. Will have a car so can get around.
Looking for nicer rather than cheaper places.
Thanks in advance for your help!
Looking for nicer rather than cheaper places.
Thanks in advance for your help!
Apr 20, 2016, 3:15 pm
#2
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I'd be minded to stay in Krakow, personally - the Sheraton is a decent hotel (but it's a while since I've been, there may be better). Oswiecim itself is likely to be guesthouse country.
Hope your trip goes well. It's an important place to visit, I think.
Hope your trip goes well. It's an important place to visit, I think.
Apr 20, 2016, 3:25 pm
#3
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Why is it a grim subject?
There are a few decent locally run hotels in Oswiecim town. Galicja is very good.
But you are SOL if you are looking for any western chains and/or luxury hotels.
You ll find the usual western chains in Krakow (Sheraton, Radisson, etc), as well as far superior locally run 5* boutique hotels.
There are a few decent locally run hotels in Oswiecim town. Galicja is very good.
But you are SOL if you are looking for any western chains and/or luxury hotels.
You ll find the usual western chains in Krakow (Sheraton, Radisson, etc), as well as far superior locally run 5* boutique hotels.
Apr 20, 2016, 4:06 pm
#4
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Agree with the above comments about the Sheraton Krakow. Stayed there in 2009 with my family and try was fantastic. Best part impressively enough was the breakfast buffet, which at that time was included in the rate.
Apr 20, 2016, 4:25 pm
#5
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Stayed at the Radisson Blu in Krakow in 2014, liked it a lot, and their breakfast is a great way to sample lots of local Polish specialties...sausages, breads, pickles, etc. Their bar is a good place to eat something familiar. A very short walk along the park into the Old Town Square. But if OP is coming by train from the south, he may want to stay in Katowice near Auschwitz because that is where you would have to change trains anyway.
Apr 21, 2016, 12:53 am
#6
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Thanks for the suggestions. I will have a rental car but will be coming from Prague and going to Bratislava. Is Krakow sufficiently better in hotels and/or sights to justify the extra distance? I do expect to spend two nights, drive in, full day there, leave next day.
The best room at the Galicja hotel goes for about $85 a night. Maybe it really is very good, but the rate does make me wonder.
The best room at the Galicja hotel goes for about $85 a night. Maybe it really is very good, but the rate does make me wonder.
Last edited by RichardInSF; Apr 21, 2016 at 1:09 am
Apr 21, 2016, 1:00 am
#7
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Krakow is definitely worth a visit in itself if you have the time.
If you are so inclined, Hilton has opened a Doubletree there recently (and a Hampton next door) which is getting very good reviews here on flyertalk.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hilto...enter-pol.html
If you are so inclined, Hilton has opened a Doubletree there recently (and a Hampton next door) which is getting very good reviews here on flyertalk.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hilto...enter-pol.html
Last edited by helosc; Apr 21, 2016 at 1:06 am
Apr 21, 2016, 1:49 am
#8
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Krakow is a lovely city and definitely worth a detour. It's good to have something "nice" to do after visiting Auschwitz, I think. Not that there's anything wrong with Oswiecim, there's just not much to it.
Apr 21, 2016, 1:57 am
#9
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Krakow also has the Schindler factory :
http://www.mhk.pl/branches/oskar-schindlers-factory
http://www.mhk.pl/branches/oskar-schindlers-factory
Apr 21, 2016, 2:52 am
#10
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Off the beaten chain hotels, and a ton cheaper I feel to suggest Pollara hotel in Krakow.
Great atmosphere and large rooms.
Been there last week and was really happy with it.
The breakfast is basic though.
Great atmosphere and large rooms.
Been there last week and was really happy with it.
The breakfast is basic though.
Apr 21, 2016, 5:56 am
#11
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Krakw is arguably the number 1 tourist destination in Poland should definitely feature on any itinerary when in the area for the first time.
However, should you be low on time and decide Krakw is too far, another place I'd recommend is Pszczyna, west of Oświęcim, it's a pretty little town with some good boutique hotels (Piano Nobile is a nice place to stay) and a few sights including the market square, Pszczyna Castle, associated park, and bison reserve. It's a bit sleepy, but a nice place for a quiet evening and a good meal. If you're with a car you'll also find it much easier to find parking.
However, should you be low on time and decide Krakw is too far, another place I'd recommend is Pszczyna, west of Oświęcim, it's a pretty little town with some good boutique hotels (Piano Nobile is a nice place to stay) and a few sights including the market square, Pszczyna Castle, associated park, and bison reserve. It's a bit sleepy, but a nice place for a quiet evening and a good meal. If you're with a car you'll also find it much easier to find parking.
Apr 22, 2016, 9:38 am
#12
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When I visited Auschwitz/Birkenau, I stayed in the not-for-profit Centre for Dialogue and Prayer in Oświęcim, situated within walking distance of Auschwitz I. Though not a 'luxurious' hotel, it has clean and comfortable rooms at a very reasonable price, and offered a suitable environment to reflect on the profound experience of visiting Auschwitz/Birkenau. The staff are friendly. The food is okay. From what I can remember, when I stayed there 2 years ago, there wasn't wifi, but there was a PC in the lobby which you could use to access the internet (in any case, the front desk staff were really helpful and provided us with all the information we needed).
Apr 22, 2016, 9:43 am
#13
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Hampton Inn Krakow is 5000 points per night. You can buy 5,000 points for $25 currently from HHonors.
http://hhonors3.hilton.com/en/earn-u...ive/index.html
http://hhonors3.hilton.com/en/earn-u...ive/index.html
Apr 22, 2016, 11:39 am
#14
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You folks are making a strong case for extending our Poland stay by a day and having a day in Krakow. I was going to do two nights in Poland and two in Bratislava but maybe three and one is a better idea, staying in Krakow. Thoughts?
Apr 22, 2016, 11:59 am
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Stayed one night at Hotel Galicja last year while visiting Auschwitz/Birkenau. Great price/quality ratio and pretty close to Auschwitz/Birkenau. Decent place for dinner and breakfast.
Waste of time imo to book a Hamptonn inn or Radisson Blu in Krakow or one of those other western chain hotels. They are not significantly better, certainly not their restaurants.
I agree with the others that Krakow is definitely worth a visit. Would personally do 3 nights in Poland and one in Bratislava.
Waste of time imo to book a Hamptonn inn or Radisson Blu in Krakow or one of those other western chain hotels. They are not significantly better, certainly not their restaurants.
I agree with the others that Krakow is definitely worth a visit. Would personally do 3 nights in Poland and one in Bratislava.