Kraków: Wentzl (4 Star Hotel)

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Address: Rynek glowny 19 , Krakow 31-008, Poland
Show on map

Lonely Planet review

Housed in a beautifully restored 15th-century townhouse once owned by the merchant family Cellarich, the Wentzl is one of the few hotels right on Krakow's Main Square. Its 12 spacious rooms have dark wood beam ceilings and huge (soundproof) windows giving panoramic views of the activity on the square.

Since 1792, the restaurant Wentzl has operated at this spot on the square, offering rich, hearty Polish soups and decadent dishes like the house specialty, duck filet in Zubrówka (Polish vodka) sauce. The townhouse, known as the 'building under the painting', is famed for the massive painting of the Virgin Mary on the facade. Legend has it that the artist was a student at the Academy of Art who painted this mural as a means of paying his bar bill at the restaurant inside. The artistic element extends to the interior, where an impressive collection adorns the hallways and guest rooms. Besides the decor and prime locale, Wetzl offers lots of little perks to make your stay enjoyable, from the plush terry robes to the delicate porcelain tea sets in each room.