Hotel Maksymilian

The hotel is a simple budget affair located near Krakow's Old Town. Designed by and named after architect Maksymilian Nitsch, its 1871 origins were refurbished in 2010, although decor remains sparse. The lobby has some modern touches with textured stone under hanging lamps at its 24-hour front desk, but maroon faux-leather sofas under burnt-orange curtains aren't very appealing. Decorative tribal masks at the restaurant's entrance add some character and its basement setting has illuminated exposed brick walls, back-lit floral wall panels, and pops of color from flower vases. Note that the room gets crowded during the free breakfast rush. A courtyard gets patio seating and parasols during summer and is a popular beer spot. The indoor bar has sit-up stools and a more extensive seating area where brown-leather club chairs get aqua-blue accents from table runners. Guests are a mix of tourists and business travelers on a budget, including some families thanks to Triple Room options.

The hotel is mostly surrounded by residential buildings with some offices and another hotel nearby. Krakow's Main Square, St. Mary's Basilica, and Cloth Hall are a 10-minute walk away, and Krakow's National Museum is just five minutes farther. Wawel Royal Castle is a 20-minute walk and for some greenery, the vast meadows of Blonia Park are around the same distance. Live comedy at Bagatela Theatre is a five-minute walk, a Spar supermarket is a three-minute walk, and Plac Inwalidow bus stop (with transport to the airport) is the same distance. Batorego tram stop is right outside the hotel and trams from here run to Krakow's main train station (alternatively, it's a 20-minute walk). Schindler's Factory is a 15-minute drive, Wieliczka Salt Mine is 20 minutes, and it's a similar driving time to Krakow-Balice Airport. The hotel can arrange airport transfers (at a fee).

Straightforward rooms are small and simple, ranging from 14- to 17-square-meter (151- to 183-square-foot) Singles, larger Doubles and Triples, and upgraded Studio Deluxes. Blonde-wood furniture in Singles gets dark accents from brown bedspreads and deep-red carpeting; these rooms lack bedside tables. Higher-category rooms have darker wood touches, the same red or purple carpeting, and occasionally patterned curtains and throw pillows on sofas. All rooms have desks with chairs, flat-screen LCD TVs, phones, kettles for tea- and coffee-making, free bottled water, and mini-fridges. All are air-conditioned and Wi-Fi is free. Wardrobes have electronic safes, although some shelving is exposed. Views are of the courtyard, distant park, or street, and those facing the front suffer noise from passing trams. Rooms can be fitted with cribs.

Simple cream-tiled bathrooms have curved stall showers -- some of which are tiny, while a few bigger rooms have corner tubs and handheld showerheads. All come with basic toiletries and hairdryers. Travelers should be aware before booking that not all rooms are serviced by the elevator.

The free buffet breakfast is varied with cooked options including scrambled eggs, Polish sausage, and bacon, alongside plenty of cold choices. Restaurant Maksymilian offers European fare plus local dishes (think Polish barley soup) and there's a kid's menu. The bar has a wide choice of beers, wines, and local vodkas, but it's not open very late. A tiny spa offers massages, but there's no gym on-site. Secure parking is available a one-minute walk from the hotel for a fee. Wi-Fi is free throughout.