Hotel Pod Roza Krakow

For many centuries, the Krakovians loved to embellish their houses with exotic flourishes - peacocks crown doorways, and dragons clamber across gables. The Pod Roza mansion is no exception, and there one finds a charming Latin inscription above the portal. It reads: 'Let this house stand until the ant drinks the waters of the oceans and the tortoise encircles the earth.' The sculptor who carved those words (way back during the sixteenth century) would surely be pleased to know that his work still stands in all its glory. And after an empty spell during the Cold War days, the mansion is now itself experiencing something of a renaissance, leaving visitors with many warm memories of the city.
The Pod Roza, which means 'under the rose', was Krakow's first hotel, and in times gone by Balzac, Liszt and Tsar Alexander II were amongst its guests. Today's owners have continued the tradition of elegance, and at Pod Roza you will find understated old world charm, combined with light modern touches throughout.
Each room in the hotel has been individually furnished, simply and with care. Besides the attractive, well-appointed bathrooms, you will find modern touches such as satellite television and air-conditioning. There are also suites which are more antique in character, offering a flavour of the Krakow of yesteryear. Downstairs there are two enticing restaurants, and they offer some unique dining experiences in this city. The larger, which serves international cuisine, has a light, contemporary feel, with a glass roof that comes into its own during the Summer months. On the other hand the Italian, Amarone, will transport you away to the charms of Tuscany. Here you''ll find a string of cosy rooms that would be ideal for a romantic dinner.
Krakow is a city of cellars, and Pod Roza is lucky enough to have an absolute gem. This medieval hideaway was carefully restored in recent years and it's a charming place for a pre-dinner quiet drink, with a host of Italian wines on hand.
And of course, being right in the heart of the Old Town, all the delights of the city are just a stone's throw away. The legendary Cafe Camelot, Krakow's best-loved cafe, is just over the road - a place that has cast its spell on many visitors.
If the lure of Krakow - an enchanting city - has intrigued you, the Pod Roza would be a marvelous base from which to explore the city.