Sheraton Grand Krakow sits on the bank of the Vistula at the foot of Wawel Hill, and its position is its great selling point. Many of the rooms and suites face the river and the castle walls, so you can wake up to a view of the hill and the cathedral domes catching the morning light. The hotel is a modern, full-service property of the kind that business and leisure travellers trust, with spacious rooms, comfortable beds, marble bathrooms and the attentive, unfussy service that large international hotels do well. Public spaces include a restaurant, a bar and a lounge, and there is a spa with a swimming pool, a sauna and a fitness area, which is a real asset after a long day on cobblestones. The location is calm, set apart from the weekend noise of the Old Town, but it is not remote. The river boulevards run along the front, the foot of Wawel is a few minutes away and the Main Market Square is a pleasant walk of about fifteen minutes along Kanonicza Street. Kazimierz lies just across the river to the south, and the walk to its cafes along the water is one of the nicest in the city.
Choosing a room
River-view and castle-view rooms are worth the supplement, especially on higher floors, and club-level rooms add lounge access with breakfast and evening drinks, which suits travellers who like a quiet place to retreat. Standard rooms are comfortable and well sized for a city hotel, and family rooms and connecting rooms are available on request.
What the stay is like
Smooth, comfortable and reliable. This is not an intimate boutique stay; it is a large hotel with the facilities and the service that come with it, from a generous breakfast buffet to a concierge desk that can arrange timed tickets for Wawel, the salt mine or a day trip to Auschwitz-Birkenau. The spa and pool are especially welcome in the colder months, and the lounge is a good place for a quiet drink while the castle is floodlit after dark.
Getting around
Trams and taxis stop nearby, and the walk to the Old Town takes about a quarter of an hour. If you are arriving by train or from the airport, a taxi to the hotel is inexpensive. Parking is available, which is a rarity in the centre, though you should confirm charges with the hotel when you book. The riverside location also puts you close to the starting points of river cruises in the warmer months.
Who it suits
Couples who want castle views and a spa, families who value space and a pool, business travellers and anyone who prefers a calm riverside base to a bustling square. The trade-offs are a more corporate atmosphere than the historic Old Town hotels and a slightly longer walk to the nightlife of the Main Market Square. If you want to be among medieval streets, Hotel Stary or Hotel Copernicus will feel more atmospheric, while Sheraton Grand is the one to choose for views and comfort.
Why stay here
- ✓Castle and river views
- ✓Spa with swimming pool
- ✓Sauna and fitness area
- ✓Restaurant and bar
- ✓Club lounge on selected rooms
- ✓Marble bathrooms
- ✓Family and connecting rooms
- ✓Short walk to Wawel and Kazimierz
Good questions
Where is Sheraton Grand Krakow?+
On the bank of the Vistula at the foot of Wawel Hill, about fifteen minutes' walk from the Main Market Square.
Does Sheraton Grand Krakow have a pool?+
Yes. The hotel has a spa with a swimming pool, a sauna and a fitness area; check the current hours when you book.
Are there castle views from the rooms?+
Many river-facing rooms look towards Wawel Hill. Ask for a higher floor and a castle view when you book.
