The Hotel Rialto, Warsaw. Poland ***
Nov 17th, 2008 by Håkan
Art déco goes Warsaw and the blend is called The Hotel Rialto. It’s not at all unappealing
although it did not live up to the hype.
Art déco goes Warsaw and the blend is called The Hotel Rialto. It’s not at all unappealing
although it did not live up to the hype. Not even at night.
The hype was rather massive…
According to the hotel’s own website it is ”…a magnificent and luxurious 5-star property located in the centre of Warsaw”. Another site tells that it has “an air of film star glamour about it.” And a third site says that it is “so hip, so cool, so utterly fashionable…” The TV channel CNBC European Business ranked it as the 18th best business hotel in Europe. And on the Condé Nast Travellers Hot List 2004 you will find that it’s number 24 out of 50 hotels. It’s kind of obvious that the PR department did put in a few extra hours while doing their thing and they sure did it well.
At first you want to believe the hype.
The façade is nothing but grand, especially if you’re arriving at night. The Hotel Rialto opened in June 2003 and it’s 44 rooms (of which 11 are suites) were all renovated in art déco or art nouveau style. They look quite authentic although being just five years old. The elevator even has one of those huge displays with an arrow pointing out the 4th floor et cetera. Don’t get me wrong, the hotel is comfortable and it’s neat and tidy but trust me, you will not have a luxury overdose.
“…the perfect spot for honeymooners…”
That’s what one of those countless websites told me. Well, I am not sure anymore. The bathroom of my suite is accessed through two doorways. One to give you access from the hallway and another from the bedroom. The latter has glass windows. Expect an unexpected show if your bride/groom has a bubbly stomach. You will see (and hear) much more than you need. Not overly clever, if you ask me.
Trust me, you will drink a lot of gin and tonics.
It’s not me lashing out at local drinking habits. It’s just me being surprised that a luxury hotel will select two complete novices to tend the bar. Any order more complicated than a gin and tonic was met with a shy smile and red cheeks. I detected panic in the eyes of the two nice, young girls who probably did their best, but weren’t properly trained for the duty.
Three or four stars? I’ll give it three.
I will still recommend the Rialto if you’re going to Warsaw and don’t want to stay in a steel and glass cube topped with a Marriott or a Radisson logo. Competition from small and individually styled hotels is not fierce. Yet. But Warsaw is a city undergoing a very rapid metamorphosis. Before seeing my first Trabant I spotted two Lamborghinis. A sign of the times? I’d definitely think so.
The Hotel Rialto
ul Wilcza 73
00-670 Warsaw
Poland
+48 22 58 48 700
Book the Hotel Rialto through TabletHotels.com simply by clicking here.
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