Sofitel Grand Sopot

This is a lovely hotel that exudes charm and sophistication from the location and surroundings.

Checking was smooth, welcoming and warm. Our room was available on our early arrival (normally from 3pm – I asked the previous hotel to phone ahead), and we were given two drinks vouchers without any fuss. The concierge said that we were upgraded to a sea view room, having booked the cheapest room in the hotel this was two or three categories higher and appreciated as the hotel had a function on during our stay. The sea view rooms are worth the upgrade, even though our room (same size as we booked) was on the bijou side of small due to layout.

The hotel does not have a lounge. This is a disappointment.

The upgraded room had a good sea view overlooking a small private garden area and towards the beach and the famous wooden pier. We also had a balcony (neighbour’s balcony looked like they smoked quite heavily and was not cleaned for the duration of our stay despite a warning sign that smoking would cost you 450 PLZ)

Tea and Coffee facilities and a paid for mini bar was in the room together with a table resting television (with English language film and some news channels). There was also a small round glass table just big enough for a laptop. There was not a working chair as such just one designed for lounging in. This made using the laptop very uncomfortable for long periods (well 4 mins e mail checking). There were not enough plugs in the room. There was a small “handi phone” that you could use to make international Wi-Fi calls (free) – it did have other functions but I could not get them to operate.

The room was exceptionally small for the type of hotel, with over 1/3 being taken up with the on suite facilities. Space could have been made batter by mounting the television onto the wall, and we found ourselves conscious of moving around the room without a traffic light system…. 25sqm with a large bath room and huge (very comfortable) bed needs to be well managed, especially where the room furniture is large. The Sofitel at Heathrow is 26sqm but a much better layout.

I am probably being over critical, but it did make the stay difficult at times. However, the rest of the hotel was well designed and comfortable.

We booked a rate that included the buffet style breakfast. ( It is about £17 if not booked ). There were many choices, with additional kitchen prepared dishes of eggs and they even had a good attempt at a Full English. The service was superb. We could not fault it in any way. All the staff were very pleasant and the surroundings were magnificent. It is well worth looking in to the room even if you do not intend to eat there. The views over the sea and pier made dining outstanding. You could be back in the 1920’s.   We were remembered on the second day, and a table was set with tea and coffee as we had ordered on the first. The hotel was fully booked on our last day and the restaurant manager advised us to be early (before 9am) if we wanted to avoid the rush. Even with a fully booked hotel the service was excellent and not hurried. We also stayed at the Warsaw Victoria but the breakfast there (£21) was not as good or varied, and the staff seemed like they were being trained (asked for some gingerbread – was available in other hotels on our trip - and was given sliced root ginger for example)

We were given a 15% discount voucher for the evening meals, and we were not disappointed. Different staff, same attitude. 100% professionalism, even though we were the only diners on one night.

We did not use the Gym, but the indoor heated pool was lovely, with extra towels. Only slight niggles – the windows did not have a good seal (winter -5c outside and it was cold in the draft) and the pool attendant kept turning off the hydro massage, with no way for us to turn it back on.

We would and will return without hesitation, but for longer. I apologise that there are not many pictures, I forgot to take them without my OH in the frame.