The Hotel Bristol has had quite an intricate history, only some of which is visible in the building. Opened in 1901 as a Neo Renaissance property with Art Nouveau flourishes, the building has been renovated and redecorated several times, as recently as 2013. During World War II, it was the local government headquarters and survived the German occupation relatively unscathed. A Wall of Fame in the lobby celebrates many of the hotel's notable guests over the years, including Pablo Picasso, Marlene Dietrich, Michael Jackson, and Mark Zuckerberg. 

The reception area has ornate marble floors, flowery brass grillwork, and French-style armchairs upholstered in velvet. The Marconi restaurant has dark wood and gray marble walls with Art Deco shapes. The Viennese-inspired Café Bristol has a black and brown checkerboard tile floor and leafy brass lighting fixtures. Hotel Bristol's pool is more recently designed, with dark stone deck tiles and walls, and modern, white lounge chairs. Meeting rooms combine the original architectural details with contemporary furniture such as swivel chairs and industrial lighting fixtures. The elegant style of these interiors coupled with the hotel's central location attract executives as well as couples and families on a lush vacation.

The Hotel Bristol is centrally located close to most of Warsaw's main historic attractions. The Presidential Palace is just a two-minute walk away, while Old Town can be reached in under 10 minutes on foot. The Polish National Opera is a seven-minute walk away, and the Palace of Culture and Science is about a 20-minute walk or 15-minute bus ride. Łazienki Park, the biggest park in the city, can be reached in about 15 minutes by car or public transportation. The business district is around a 20-minute walk or five- to 10-minute drive from the hotel. The nearest metro station is about an eight-minute walk away, while the main train station is a 10-minute drive or 15-minute bus ride. Warsaw's Chopin Airport can be reached in around 30 minutes by car or 45 minutes by public transportation. 

Hotel Bristol's elegant rooms and suites feature decorative elements such as detailed molding and marble mantlepieces often found in pre-war apartments. They range in size from Classic (about 260 square feet) to Bristol Executive (635 square feet) to the largest, Paderewski Suite (1,141 square feet) -- with the larger rooms and suites having bigger windows and more lounging space. The individually designed rooms incorporate a range of styles, some with streamlined Art Deco chairs and beds, and others with more ornate, Louis XVI-style pieces. Beds are big and plush. Room perks include minibars, safes, flat-screen TVs, and tea- and coffee-making facilities. Suites have separate living rooms with couches, plus breakfast and Wi-Fi are included in rates. Bathrooms are a bit small and don't have separate showers and soaking tubs, but only shower/tub combos. They're clean and pleasant, though, with attractive gray marble walls and floors, as well as retro fittings designed to look like they're from the early 20th century. 

Hotel Bristol has a full spectrum of luxury features, but not all are freely available to all guests without additional fees. The hotel's Marconi restaurant serves traditional Polish and continental dishes such as beetroot carpaccio and seabream with potato cake. Café Bristol serves lunch, salads, sandwiches, and desserts. Breakfast, with traditional Polish specialties, is also served in the cafe; it's included in suite rates, but an extra fee for other rooms. The Column Bar serves drinks and British-style afternoon tea, and there's also a wine bar. 

The hotel gym has a handful of machines and free weights as well as a steam room, and there's an indoor pool just long enough to do laps. An on-site spa provides massages and facials as well. Other amenities include a computer station for guest use, as well as dry cleaning and laundry services. The hotel has nine meeting rooms that can hold up to 180 people. Airport transportation can be arranged through the hotel (for a fee). Wi-Fi is free in public spaces like the lobby and restaurant, as well as in suites and for SPG members -- but other rooms incur an extra fee.