Hotel Jan III Sobieski - Warsaw, Poland     

Stayed here for 10 nights in March 2008. Paid GBP 56 per night (B&B) which is a good rate for a Warsaw 4* hotel. I booked via Hotelopia. Good points: 1) Central location 2) Excellent (and free) fitness centre 3) Friendly service 4) Excellent breakfast (huge choice) Bad points: 1) Internet access very expensive (PLN 65 per day in room, cheaper at their business centre) 2) Check in/out queues very long 3) Rooms bit dated 4) No tea/coffee making facilities in room 5) No iron/trouser press in room 6) No shower (only a bath with a shower head)

This hotel is very over-rated. It is not 4 star quality - rather a low 3 stars, max. The service is curt and generally unfriendly. The interior is very dated. Cleanliness is average to below average. Note there is NO SAFE in the room to lock up valuables. Mini bar is VERY expensive. The included breakfast has enourmous selection but it is quantity over quality. Neighbourhood is generally charmless but close to the "Centralna" train station. Note: Polish cab drivers will try to add a "surcharge" to your cab bill for suitcases - ask about this and do not agree to pay it! The hotel messed up our booking and put my husband and I into a room with 2 single beds instead of one king bed. On arrival, we waited 1.5 hours for the hotel staff to "prepare" a new room for us, during which time we were not permitted (for unknown reasons) to go to the new room to put our luggage away. Instead we were stuck waiting with all our luggage. There was no apology from the staff for the incorrect booking or for the long wait. The hotel is HUGE and was not at full capacity, but there was no explanation given as to why we had to wait so long, as plenty of rooms were available. The room we were moved to was a disappointment. The shower was DIRTY with black mold in the corners and on the grout. The fan did not work in the bathroom. The heating and climate control did not work in the room, so for the 1st night we were stuck with the temp at 25C - it was like a sauna. The hotel fixed this on the 2nd day but left the heat on full blast all day so when we got back it was the same sauna-like room. We had to sleep with the balcony open which I would not otherwise do in a 2nd story room in Warsaw. On the 2nd night, the TV also stopped working - static on all channels. Also, note that when the TV is on, the sound track from the TV is broadcast into the bathroom on a 2nd set of speakers - BUT there is no separate volume control so if someone is watching TV you cannot turn off or adjust the volume separately in the bathroom!!! So much for a relaxing soak in the (dirty) tub!! I read several reviews about how great the breakfast was at this hotel (inc. in the price) but also found that to be over-rated. The wait staff is surly at best and more interested in gossiping than working. We asked three times for coffee before it finally came. The breakfast features a massive buffet but in my view it was quantity over quality - lots and lots to choose from but none of it good quality. I'd rather have fewer items but of good quality. I would not stay here again and would not recommend it. Average at best.