Hotel Alexander - Krakow, Poland     

Thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Hotel Alexander. Location is always paramount when I decide which hotel to stay in and this one couldnt have been better. The hotel is located down a quiet street - with a post office, early-morning bakery and corner shop nearby - just 5 minutes walk from the busy Main Square of Krakow. The Main Square, or Rynek Glowny to the locals, really is where it's at in Krakow - outdoor bars and restaurants are all over the place, the imposing Cloth Hall houses dozens of stalls selling souveniers and lots and lots of amber, and many of the beautiful old town houses surrounding the square host intimate nightly concerts of Chopin and Mozart music. So for the hotel tobe within a short walking distance of this bustlign hub was a real bonus. The hotel itself was very clean and looked recently built or refurbished. Certainly our double room was spotless and the bathroom - apart from the awkward 'open' shower - was lovely. The staff were friendly and most spoke English, and the breakfast was a good mix of cold meats, cheeses, breads, kabanos (hot Polish sausage) and boiled/scrambled eggs. As I sais it's really the location, as well as the price, which sells this hotel. Though Krakow itself is a relatively small city and all the major attraction like Wawel Castle and the Jewish District can be reached on foot, it was handy having the hotel so close by to the Main Square, especially as that is where most of the good restaurants and bars are, so it was only a short stagger home of an evening. As for the city itself, I would recommend visiting one of the four Chlopskie Jadlo restaurants which serve traditional Polish soups and meat dishes at a very reasonable price in lovely surroundings. The nearest one to the Sqaure is at ul Jana 3. Also the Tram Bar on Ul Stolarksa serves cheap cocktails! If you're planning a day out to Auschwitz-Birkenau or the Salt Mines, or if you want tickets to the theatre or opera, then there are loads of Information offices on Florianska - again just off the Main Square - which sell tickets. Salt Mines and Auschwitz tours are arround 110z p/p (?25-30), however a return train ticket to Oswiciem (Auschwitz) is just 22z (?5) so if you dont mind doing your own thing and touring the camps without a guide then you can save a bit of money here. For the Salt Mines a guide is mandatory. And one last point, pretty obvious I know, but even if you dont speak Polish it's a good idea to try at least the basics. It's amazing how people open up and treat you better when you say 'please' or 'thank you' or '2 bloody marys' in their native tongue. Same as everywhere, I'm sure.