Krakow, PolandOld Town
Stary Hotel
Gothic merchant townhouse
Old Town Krakow, Poland
Opened
2006
Price
$$$
Rated for
Heritage Design WellnessOutside the door
The house
Likus Hotels and RestaurantsGothic merchant townhouse
This fourteenth-century merchant home operates as a design hotel, setting sleek Italian marble against centuries of exposed Gothic brick.
“One of the most glamorous spots is the Sky Bar on the roof of the Hotel Stary, overlooking the main square.”
What it’s good at
Remarkable
A fifteenth-century merchant townhouse incorporating Gothic timber beams and preserved Renaissance frescoed walls.
Notable
Italian marble and contemporary furnishings set against restored brickwork and Gothic arches.
Notable
Two counter-current swimming pools set within medieval cellar vaults beside a salt chamber.
What they say
Michelin Selected
Michelin
Also in Condé Nast Traveler and AFAR.
The contrast between old and new is striking: modern fixtures mix with antique furniture and period finishes — in one suite a sleek white modern tub stands free in the bedroom, against a backdrop of frescoes and wood-paneled walls.
In a lively part of town
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Szczepanska Street leads straight into the Main Market Square, putting the Gothic Cloth Hall just a short walk away.
1 of 5
The rooms
Parquet floors and Italian marble bathrooms balance leather seating and dark woods beneath timber-beamed ceilings.
The pools
Bring a swimsuit.
Two subterranean pools sit beneath medieval brick vaults, fitted with counter-current swim jets and floor mosaics.
The spa and gym
Cardio equipment sits beneath arched brick doorways, and a salt-iodine chamber simulates sea air microclimates.
At the table
Restaurant 3 Rybki serves seasonal Polish dishes under Gothic ribbed vaults, and a brick-arched bar mixes evening cocktails.
The atrium-ceilinged lobby and restaurant are furnished with cushy black and red leather chairs and couches, and a dramatic indoor pool has been fitted between the vaulted brick arches of its basement.
How it began
The Likus family rescued the ruined fourteenth-century tenement, uncovering medieval workshops and seventeenth-century wine trade documents during the reconstruction.
Krakow
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Our shorthand
How we rate hotels.
The medals
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
The scene
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.