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Booked a cheap BA flight here with the wife for 3 night for some R&R – yes I know it’ll be cold. We’d like to take a wander around the city- maybe a walking tour, try some local food etc but we aren’t set on cramming in visits to all of the museums.
I’m looking at the IC. We’ve never stayed in one and it’s probably about as cheap as we’ll see one. Location looks good for the station and palace views. We’d probably make use of the 1 hour swimming and the gym, possibly the spa.
We’re UNLIKELY to use the restaurants for dinner- we’re Veggie, the selection looks limited for us and not our cup of tea.
1) I’m thinking of using my points up. I wouldn’t get back the full value I paid for them, but I wouldn’t need to worry about them expiring. Outside of possible work trips, I don’t see any upcoming need for them. HOWEVER, there is the Autumn App Bonus as the moment with a feq quid off, OR an Avios Bonus too… so a little undecided on this
2) Has anybody else got an opinion of a better hotel to stay in? Doesn’t have to be IHG, but if not, I will need to keep an eye on those points expiring!
Which points are you referring to?
Sorry, IHG points. I topped up during the last 100% bonus period. Paid about 0.4p per point and could redeem at ABOUT that. I know that in theory I can get better value out of them (I have in Brisbane) but hard to see when that’s going to be so tempted to cut my losses!
Warsaw is nice, and the IC is well located. It’s 15 minute walk to the Old Town and if you ask/get-lucky you’ll get a view of the Palace of Culture… a gift from Soviet Russia to the people of Poland (my Polish wife is less than thrilled about it but I think it’s an interesting piece of architecture).
Polish food can be a bit “meat” orientated, but there are plenty of veggie options.
– For street food, its worth trying a Zapiekanki (half baguette with various toppings but mushrooms and cheese is the most traditional).– Pierogi dumplings come in various fillings and definitely worth trying, the potato or cabbage filling dumplings are again quite traditional. There will be restaurants all over the city offering them.
– For savoury and sweet pancakes Manekin restaurants are worth a visit, again there are various fillings/toppings that should accommodate most tastes.
– It is worth experiencing a “Milk Bar”, Bar Mleczny. These were traditionally state subsidised restaurants serving traditional homemade food. They go back to a time where most factories had their own canteens and the cost of food was included within your salary. Some businesses were too small to maintain a canteen so the state subsidised Milk Bars which were available to everyone. Some still exist and you will find genuinely traditional homemade food in them. Typically they do not serve alcohol, as you would normally take compote juice with a meal.
Christmas markets in Poland typically go on until the end of Jan/early Feb, and when we visited Warsaw in mid-Feb 2020 (filled in my first COVID form when disembarking), they were still up and running in the Old Town. They were atmospheric as you would expect and enjoyable to spend an evening around.
For things to visit, I would recommend:
– Royal Łazienki Park (if bright)
– Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (best at night)
– Chopin Museum
– Museum of Life in the Polish People’s Republic
– The Royal Castle (Zamek)
– BarbicanWe stayed at the IC and as a Diamond (Spire at the time) got treated very well. It is a slightly more “businessey” IC than a leisure IC… as the original brand ethos was intended I believe. Most importantly we would happily return as we found it affordable luxury compared to some of the hotels located closer to the Old Town. We enjoyed the restaurant in the hotel, and experienced the tasting menu. However, if you are a Veggie I can see why it wouldn’t interest you.
Wherever you chose to stay and whatever you chose to eat, I am sure you’ll enjoy the city immensely.
Thanks @Supergers49 for the detailed reply and suggestions. Sounds encouraging and if the Christmas markets are still running, then that’s a bonus.
I’ve seen the Palace View rooms and High Floor Palace View rooms offered, at £1 or £2 more per night. I think it is also visible from the gym and pool?I’ve seen a booking direct offer in the IHG app cash only, which includes breakfast for £14 per night – not bad when it’s supposedly about £23 each if adding it on at the hotel, so I’m leaning towards this option.
Thanks @Supergers49 for the detailed reply and suggestions. Sounds encouraging and if the Christmas markets are still running, then that’s a bonus.
I’ve seen the Palace View rooms and High Floor Palace View rooms offered, at £1 or £2 more per night. I think it is also visible from the gym and pool?I’ve seen a booking direct offer in the IHG app cash only, which includes breakfast for £14 per night – not bad when it’s supposedly about £23 each if adding it on at the hotel, so I’m leaning towards this option.
No problem @FatherofFour. We didn’t take breakfast as food is typically quite affordable in Warsaw but at £7pppn there’s little to lose.
I am at Raffles in a couple of weeks and will do a review at some point.
I am at Raffles in a couple of weeks and will do a review at some point.
Saw Raffles in my search – it looks opulent, and a bit out of our league, especially as I dropped a text to the wife on Monday- “do you fancy a cheap getaway to Warsaw in January?”
I will enjoy your write up anyway
A bit of late reply I did a cheap solo trip to Warsaw in Dec 2022, and stayed at the Intercontinental and really liked it. I was Diamond Elite at the time with a Lounge access voucher so was treated very well and got free breakfast. The best view of the Palace of Culture is from the Jacuzzi, there were a few Instagram photo shoots that needed to contended with. The pool area was especially nice at night when they lit it with lamps all round the edge. The hotel is right by the train station with direct access to the airport train and there’s a shopping centre by the train station with a good supermarket.
My favourite museum is the Neon Museum which is a bit out of the way but really cool and Wilanów Royal Garden of Light is worth the trip out and really easy by public transport. I’d recommend by tickets online as the queues on the day were mental. I found city mapper excellent for getting round.
I loved the perogi from Gościniec a small chain of restaurants. Barn Burger near the Intercontinental is nice when you want a change from polish food. Also can’t beat a warm cherry wine from Pijana Wiśnia in the park near the hotel.
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