The Rialto’s time-warped appeal is evident the moment you walk through its leaded front doors (which are appropriately adorned with a geometric pattern) into the little lobby. Taking a cue from the imposing stone building’s early 20th-century exterior, this space has a seating area with carefully curated accoutrements plus an angular reception desk that evokes an Art Deco altar -- especially since computers and other modern concessions are consciously hidden from view. The look carries through the fine dining room and rather cramped humidor-cum-lounge on the main floor to the guest rooms on the floors above. Even the custom-made elevator linking the two areas is period-appropriate thanks to its stained-glass ceiling and mother-of-pearl buttons. Of course, such dedication to a single aesthetic vision has one major drawback -- namely that not everyone shares it. The hotel’s remarkably consistent style and sepia-toned palette will make Art Deco aficionados feel as if they have stepped into an old photograph; others, however, may just see it as dull and dated.

Hotel Rialto sits on a comparatively quiet corner, just off a busy thoroughfare in central Warsaw. Because it is situated on the edge of the CBD, business travelers can easily reach key destinations: Both the Warsaw Stock Exchange and the Warsaw Financial Center, for instance, are less than a 20-minute walk away. But sightseers can reach some popular tourist attractions -- including Złote Tarasy (a major shopping-and-entertainment complex), the Palace of Culture and Science, and Lazienki Park -- in the same amount of time. On-foot access to the Koszykowa tram stop and the main train station (which are three and 10 minutes away respectively) makes going farther afield convenient as well.

• Three-minute walk to the Koszykowa tram stop
• 10-minute walk to Warszawa Centralna railway station
• 15-minute walk to Złote Tarasy
• 16-minute walk to the Palace of Culture and Science
• 17-minute walk to the Warsaw Financial Center
• 19-minute walk to the Warsaw Stock Exchange
• 19-minute walk to Lazienki Park
• 18 minutes to the National Museum by public transport
• 19 minutes to the Fryderyk Chopin Museum by public transport
• 21 minutes to the Royal Castle by public transport
• 22 minutes to Old Town by public transport
• 32 minutes to the Warsaw Chopin Airport by public transport

The Rialto’s 44 rooms -- ranging from 194-square-foot singles to 517-square-foot suites with separate bedrooms -- are individually decorated, but all offer an authentic Central European take on Art Deco: a broody variation that conjures up a vampy Marlene Dietrich. Each features gorgeous parquet floors, inlaid doors and a decor scheme that combines actual furniture from the 1920s and 30s with quality reproductions. Accents and accessories follow suit. The funky light fixtures, for example, were replicated by the original manufacturer, and upholstery fabrics were based on period samples. Even mod-cons here (like the minibars artfully concealed in vintage-style desks and sideboards) help enhance the back-in-time atmosphere. So do the marble bathrooms, which feature period-appropriate clawfoot tubs plus separate walk-in rainfall showers. Their sleek sinks, toilets, and bidets (to say nothing of the retro towel racks and geometric taps made of nickel-plated brass) may make Art Deco connoisseurs swoon. Guests who don’t fall into that category can be comforted by the fact that each room also contains 21st century perks like air-conditioning, an LED TV with international channels, a Nespresso machine, an electric kettle, a cordless phone, a mobile docking station for Apple devices and free Wi-Fi. Access to the International New York Times' INYT.com website is also available at no charge.

The Rialto’s top feature is the in-house restaurant, Salto. Considering this spot is named for an Argentinean city, it is no surprise that the gourmet menu designed by chef Martin Gimenez Castro focuses on South American cuisine -- think classic beef and seafood dishes prepared with contemporary flair. An à la carte breakfast (which is included in some rates) is served in the restaurant each morning and room service is available. The adjacent bar, in all its Art Deco glory, serves the expected beverages.  

Capitalizing on its proximity to the heart of the business district, The Rialto also has two well-equipped meeting rooms, the larger of which can accommodate up to 40 people; both are decorated in the hotel’s signature style and feature art by Tamara Lempicka, a noted Polish Art Deco painter. 

Recreational facilities consist of a small but serviceable top-floor fitness room decorated with vintage sporting-event posters, plus a dry sauna, a steam room and a barrel-style cold-water plunge tub. Guests wanting more can use facilities at the exclusive Sinnet Club, which has tennis and squash courts as well as a pool, for an added fee. Other hotel features include a 24-hour front desk with concierge services; a tiny lounge off the lobby with a guest computer (formerly a humidor, it now doubles as a private dining area); dry cleaning/laundry services; free parking; and free Wi-Fi throughout.