Novotel Krakow Centrum

Reliable, family-friendly, and strategically placed — sometimes the smartest choice for a Krakow stay isn't the most boutique option, it's the one that simply works brilliantly for everyone in your group.

History & Background

Part of the globally trusted Accor Hotels group, Novotel Krakow Centrum represents the international hotel boom that followed Poland's post-communist transformation. As Krakow grew into one of Europe's most-visited cities through the 1990s and 2000s, demand for reliable mid-scale accommodation surged alongside the tourism wave. The Novotel planted its flag close to Kraków Główny — the city's central train station — positioning itself as the practical gateway hotel for travellers arriving by rail from Warsaw, Vienna, or Budapest. It's never claimed to be the most charming address in town, but it delivers consistency that budget guesthouses rarely match.

What to Expect

Rooms are spacious by Krakow standards, well-maintained, and designed with families firmly in mind. The headline perk is Novotel's brand-wide kids-stay-free policy, making this one of the most cost-effective options for travelling families in the city. The indoor swimming pool is a genuine bonus — especially during colder months when little ones need somewhere to burn energy after a day of sightseeing. The on-site restaurant covers breakfast and dinner competently, and parking (a genuine rarity near the Old Town) is available for guests arriving by car. Prices start from around 350 PLN per night, which represents solid value given the amenities included. The hotel sits within comfortable walking distance of the Stare Miasto (Old Town), meaning the Main Market Square (Rynek Główny) is reachable in roughly 15 minutes on foot, or a short tram ride away.

Insider Tip

Skip the hotel breakfast on at least one morning and walk ten minutes to Hala Targowa or grab fresh pastries from one of the bakeries along Lubicz Street instead — you'll eat more authentically and save yourself around 60–80 PLN per person. Save those breakfast credits mentally for the days you have early train departures, when the hotel's convenience genuinely earns its keep. Also worth knowing: the Galeria Krakowska shopping mall is directly attached to the train station next door, which means rainy-day entertainment and last-minute souvenir shopping is literally a three-minute walk from your front door.