Kraków's BEST Aparthotel? Turnau City Awaits!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to spill the beans, the pierogi, the whole shebang on Turnau City Awaits!, Kraków's Aparthotel, and let's just say, it's a rollercoaster, a delightful, slightly confusing, occasionally frustrating but ultimately wonderful rollercoaster. And I'm here, your slightly-too-caffeinated travel buddy, to tell you exactly what’s what.
First Impression: The Curb Appeal (And the Elevator Anxiety)
Okay, let's be honest, I'm not a fan of "exterior corridor" hotels. It's a thing, okay? Makes me feel like I'm sneaking into an off-brand Vegas motel. BUT! Turnau City Awaits! actually nails the cool exterior corridor vibe. It's all clean lines and modern design, so you don't immediately feel like you're on a budget. The fact that it had an elevator was a major win, because I'm not built for stairs, especially after a few too many shots of Zubrowka. And yes, they have an Elevator, that's listed as having an elevator.
Accessibility: More Than Just a Rant-worthy Box Ticker
I'm not personally wheelchair-bound, so I can only speak from observation and checking the boxes. But from what I saw, Turnau's got a grip on accessibility. Ramps, elevators, and facilities for disabled guests are mentioned. However, I'm not a connoisseur of accessibility, so I can't go super deep on this. But I noticed, and that's a good thing.
Cleanliness and Safety: The Germaphobe's Dream? (Almost)
This is the year of the COVID. Let's be real. Turnau City Awaits! talks the talk and walks the walk on hygiene. They shout about anti-viral cleaning products. They brag about room sanitization. They have hand sanitizer EVERYWHERE. And the best part? They had individually-wrapped food options. Seriously, after a year of communal buffets, that's practically poetry! I'll admit, I was a little too eager when I first used the hand sanitizer. I think I got a smidge too much, but hey, better safe than sorry, right?
The Rooms: Home Sweet… Modern Apartment?
Alright, the rooms. Glorious, modern apartments. They've got everything. Air conditioning (bless!), internet access everywhere (free Wi-Fi!), a mini bar (yes!), and a coffee/tea maker (thank God!). They have blackout curtains (essential for those jet-lagged naps). The extra-long bed? A lifesaver. The bathroom was spotless and pretty modern. Seriously, the bathroom was my daily escape from the chaos of exploring Kraków. I’m not exactly sure how they do it, but their bathrobes were divine. I may have "borrowed" one… just kidding… maybe.
Eating & Drinking: From Polish to the Potbellys
Okay, this is where things get interesting. They serve Asian breakfast which is a win, by the way - I love a good pho to kick off my day, or a delicious bowl of Nasi Goreng. They’ve got a buffet in the restaurant, but also a la carte. There’s a bar and a poolside bar (more on that beauty later). They even have vegetarian options and Western cuisine. You know, the usual.
But here's the real kicker that absolutely stunned me - the Breakfast Takeaway Service. I can't even count the number of times I was too lazy to go downstairs for the full breakfast, or just needed to grab something quick before rushing out the door to explore. This was genius.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: The Spa and the View (and the Lack of a Real Swimming Pool?!)
Alright, let's get to the good stuff. They offer a spa, a sauna, and a steamroom, which all seem lovely. Pool with view - yes! This is the highlight of this review. I'm a pool person. The Pool. The moment I saw that infinity pool, I kinda just stopped everything. It’s on the top floor, overlooking the city. The view is breathtaking. The water is refreshing. It’s the perfect way to relax after a long day of wandering around Kraków. Here's the catch: It's an outdoor swimming pool. And it's small. Don't get your hopes up for Olympic-sized laps. It's definitely more of a "dip in the pool with a cocktail" kinda vibe. Which, frankly, is perfect.
The One Imperfection (And It's Not a Dealbreaker)
Okay, here's the honest part. They don't have a true gym/fitness center. They say they have a fitness center, but it's more of a fitness corner. It’s fine for a quick workout, but don't expect a full-blown gym experience. However, I’m not a fitness freak, so I didn’t care.
The Staff: Politeness and Polish… And a Little Bit of Lost-in-Translation, Sometimes
The staff at Turnau were incredibly polite. They were always helpful, always smiling, and mostly spoke excellent English. They got a little lost in translation sometimes, but seriously, who can blame them? I get lost in my own language constantly!
Overall Vibe: Chic, Convenient, and Surprisingly Cozy
Things I Didn't Quite Grok Completely, but Probably Should Have:
- Meeting/banquet facilities – I never saw any meetings. But hey, maybe I was just too busy enjoying the pool.
- Shrine – Didn't see this either. Was I supposed to?
- Kids facilities – I didn't notice any kids (thank God!). Still, they had some, so parents, you're covered.
The Verdict: Is Turnau City Awaits! Worth It? Absolutely, with a Few Caveats
Look, Turnau City Awaits! isn't perfect. There are minor quirks here and there, and I'd welcome a better gym. But overall, it's an amazing hotel. It's modern, clean, and has a killer pool! It's well-located, well-equipped, and the staff is fantastic.
Now for the REAL Sales Pitch - Because You Deserve a Getaway That Doesn't Suck
WANT TO BOOK A HOLIDAY THAT WILL NOT MAKE YOU WANT TO TEAR YOUR HAIR OUT?
Turnau City Awaits! is offering a special offer which includes:
- Early Bird Discount: Book your stay for at least a month in advance and get 15% off your room rate!
- Poolside Bliss: Enjoy a complimentary cocktail at the Poolside Bar to kickstart your relaxation.
- Breakfast Bonus: Get a free breakfast upgrade! And yes, that includes the Breakfast Takeaway Service so you can grab a delicious breakfast on the go!
Why Krakow?
- Stunning Views: Turnau City Awaits! boasts an exquisite rooftop pool bar with a view of Wawel Castle, the Vistula River, and the enchanting Old Town.
- Amazing Food: From traditional Polish cuisine to international flavors, you'll have a culinary adventure!
- Rich History: Explore the historic Old Town, Wawel Castle, and the Jewish Quarter of Kazimierz.
- Vibrant Nightlife: Experience the energy of Kraków's pubs, clubs, and live music scene.
- Affordable Luxury: Enjoy modern amenities and exceptional service without breaking the bank.
Stop reading this and book now!
- And remember, you can always opt-out of room sanitation for a small refund of $20. Don't worry, it's completely safe, we guarantee it!
This isn’t some canned hotel review; it’s the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help me vodka (because it's Poland and why not?). Go. Book. Enjoy. And tell 'em I sent ya.
Winchester Getaway: Unbelievable Comfort Inn Deals!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to get real about my epic Kraków adventure! Forget the polished brochures, this is the gritty, imperfect, hilariously human version. We're talking Turnau City Aparthotel, Kraków, Poland – my home base for a glorious, chaotic, and hopefully life-affirming few days.
Trip: Kraków Chaos - Turnau and Beyond (With a Side of Pierogi Addiction)
Day 1: Arrival and Apartment Bewilderment (aka "Where's the Kettle?")
- Time: Sunday Afternoon - Arrival & Settle In
- Transport: Ryanair flight (pray for no delays… seriously, I've got a phobia of the airport "shuffle")
- Event: Okay, landed, breathing, passport stamped! Kraków airport is charmingly small, which is always a plus. Taxi to Turnau City Aparthotel. The driver, a man who looked like he'd seen things (probably just tourists), mumbled something about "traffic" and then played death metal the entire ride. This set the tone.
- Reaction: The apartment! Oh, bless it. Looked lovely online. In reality? Charming, yes. Spacious, yes. Where. Is. The. Kettle?! This is a crisis, people. I need tea. I unpacked like a whirlwind, trying to maintain a semblance of order. Found the kettle! Relief washed over me like a warm, boozy embrace.
- Observation: The street outside is cobblestone, which is picturesque… and also a bit of a nightmare with luggage. I nearly ate it three times.
- Minor Category: The View - It overlooks a courtyard, which is lovely. Except there's construction going on. Constant hammering. Bless.
- Time: Sunday Evening - First Wandering and Pierogi Discovery
- Event: After a life-giving cup of tea, I braved the streets. Found the Old Town, which is impossibly gorgeous, even with the construction noise. Got hopelessly lost. Found a tiny, ridiculously charming pierogi place called "Pierogi Mr. Vincent" - the name alone drew me in.
- Reaction: Oh. My. God. The pierogi. I ordered way too many (of course), and then I died and went to pierogi heaven. Cheese and potato, with crispy onions. Savory perfection. Pure, unadulterated joy. The staff? Sweet, helpful, like they were my best friends.
- Quirky Observation: Polish people are ridiculously stylish. I walked past a woman in a fur coat. In Krakow. In March. She could conquer the world in that coat. I, however, was in a slightly-too-tight sweater and jeans.
- Minor Category: Jet Lag - Definitely setting in. I barely understood the waitress, but luckily pierogi is a universal language.
- Evening: Attempted Google Map navigation. Fail. Ended up back in the hotel with a pint of local beer. The construction noise quieted down, thank god. Listened to some loud music, ordered pizza, and collapsed.
Day 2: History, Hustle, and Hidden Gems (and a Panic Attack?)
- Time: Monday Morning - Wawel Castle and Cathedral (and the Tourist Shuffle)
- Event: Dragged myself out of bed. Wawel is a must-see. The crowds! Oh, the crowds. Managed to push my way through, marveling at the architecture. The Cathedral is genuinely breathtaking.
- Reaction: Overwhelmed. Gorgeous, but overwhelming. Too much historical information, too many people talking… I nearly had a full-blown panic attack in the treasury. The tapestries are really cool though.
- Quirky Observation: I need a history podcast. Seriously, the tour guides were good, but I just couldn't follow everything.
- Minor Category: Coffee: Terrible, lukewarm, overpriced coffee. A travel essential, and I'm failing at it.
- Time: Monday Afternoon - Jewish Quarter - Kazimierz (and the Search for Serenity)
- Event: Escaped the crowds to Kazimierz, the Jewish Quarter. A complete contrast to the Old Town. So much more chilled. Wandered the streets, stumbling upon hidden courtyards, street art, and tiny, independent shops.
- Reaction: Finally, some peace. There's a palpable sense of history and resilience here. And the food! So much good food.
- Opinionated Language: The architecture is stunning. The synagogues are beautiful and poignant. Kazimierz felt more authentic than Old Town (a slight dig!).
- Minor Category: The Weather: Intermittent sunshine, followed by rain, followed by cold. Pack layers, people. Layers.
- Time: Monday Evening - Canal Cruise and a Bittersweet Dinner
- Event: Hoped on a canal cruise. Pretty, but a bit touristy. Dinner at a restaurant in Kazimierz. Overpriced but tasty,
- Reaction: Alone again for dinner. I'm still not good at solo dining. The food was great though.
- Messier Structure: I'm exhausted. I feel a bit out of my depth. I'm loving this city though, even when I’m feeling a bit sad.
Day 3: Schindler's Factory, and the Weight of Reality
- Time: Tuesday: Schindler's Factory and the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCAK)
- Event: Oh boy, Schindler's Factory. I’d put it off, honestly. A heavy topic. Finally, I got there.
- Reaction: I walked in a complete mess. Gut-wrenching. It was difficult, so difficult. The stories of the people affected, the lives destroyed, it was horrific. I was fighting back tears, completely failing. I couldn't help but feel a deep, crushing, helplessness. I wanted to leave, but I knew I needed to be there. I felt like I owed it to those people.
- Quirky Observation: So many mirrors. So many, many mirrors. Everywhere.
- Doubling Down on Experience: The most important, powerful, and affecting part of my trip so far. I spent hours in there. It changed me. No joke.
- Time: Tuesday: MOCAK
- Event: Ok after that, I needed something different. Contemporary art felt like as good an option as any. MOCAK: modern, challenging, but not quite what I was hoping for.
- Reaction: Maybe it's the experience from before, but I was a bit numb. It's art, and that's fine. I was happy, I just went there, I saw it.
- Quirky Observation: The cafe looks like it should be in a dystopian novel.
- Minor Category: Reflection and Re-evaluation: I'm not sure I'm doing this right. I'm overwhelmed by information, the history, the emotional weight. I just wish I was doing it better. Also: I need to learn some basic Polish phrases.
- Evening: Back in the apartment. Attempted to write, failed. Ordered a pizza. Watched a terrible film. Comfort food, comfort distractions.
Day 4: Leaving (and the Unfinished Pierogi Business)
- Time: Wednesday Morning: Departure (and last-minute pierogi run!)
- Event: Packing. Cleaning the apartment (thank god, it's a mess). And, of course, a frantic last-minute quest for more pierogi!
- Reaction: I don't want to leave. Kraków has gotten under my skin, even with the stressful moments.
- Quirky Observation: I took way too many photos. And I still haven't used half the apps on my phone.
- Minor Category: Travel is Hard. It’s amazing. But it’s hard.
- Event: At the airport, I found some pierogi. Got on the plane.
- Reaction: Feeling both exhausted and exhilarated. I've been through a lot, I've seen a lot, I've eaten a lot. And I need another holiday.
- Opinionated Language: I absolutely will come back. This has been a messy, imperfect, wonderful experience in Kraków. And I wouldn't trade it for anything. Except maybe unlimited pierogi.
The End (for now).
Goa's Most Luxurious 1BHK: Amenities & Ocean Views Await!
Alright, Spill the Beans: Is Turnau City Awaits! Actually *Good*?
Okay, okay, let's be real. After that pierogi binge? Yes. After getting totally lost in Kazimierz? YES. After finding a hidden jazz club that played until 4 AM? A resounding, slightly hungover, YES. Turnau City Awaits! is... well, it's really, really decent. You know? It's not the Ritz, but honestly, who wants the Ritz when you're in Kraków, itching to get lost in the Old Town? It's clean, the staff actually *seem* to enjoy their jobs (a rarity!), and that location? Forget about it. You're practically tripping over the Wawel Castle. Literally. I almost did, once, after too much Polish vodka. My bad.
Location, Location, Location! Is It *Really* as Good as They Say?
Listen, I've stayed in places that promised "central location" and ended up being a brisk forty-minute power walk from anything remotely interesting. Not here. Nope. You stumble out the door (or, y'know, *try* to stumble, depending on the previous night's activities), and BAM! You're in the heart of it. Like, seriously, I'm talking *right there*. The Main Market Square is a hop, skip, and a jump away. Wawel Castle? Practically your neighbor. Okay, maybe not literally, but you get the point. It's ridiculously convenient. I once wandered back after a late-night pierogi feast and *tripped* into the hotel door. Okay, maybe not *tripped*, but my sense of direction was… questionable. Point is, getting back there is easy, even when you're fueled by pierogi and a healthy dose of Kraków's magic.
The Rooms: Are They as Snazzy as the Photos?
Ah, the photos. They're always so… perfect, aren't they? Listen, the rooms at Turnau are good. Really good. They're not magazine-cover material, but they're clean, modern, and actually *functional*. Some rooms, like, *some* of them, might have a little less "wow" factor than the pictures suggest. One time, the view from my window was, well, a brick wall. But honestly, who cares? You're in Kraków! You're not there to stare at a view; you're there to *live* it. The beds are comfy (crucial after walking miles!), and that's what really matters. Plus, the shower pressure is actually decent. A huge win!
Breakfast! Was It a Glorious Feast or a Disappointment?
Okay, breakfast. Here's the thing. Breakfast is… adequate. Let's put it that way. It's not the highlight of your trip, but it'll get you going. There's your standard continental fare: bread, pastries, cheese, cold cuts, yogurt. Honestly, the coffee wasn't exactly life-changing. But honestly, for me, it's all about the pierogi later! I am all about the pierogi. And once again, you're in Kraków - a place where cafes and restaurants that serve amazing food are almost everywhere, so, honestly, don't sweat the breakfast *too* much. Head out and explore! Find a proper bakery. You'll be much happier. But, hey, for a quick fuel-up, it does the job.
The Staff: Are They Actually Helpful, or Just Putting on a Show?
This is where Turnau City Awaits! *really* shines. Because, from my experience, the staff are genuinely nice. They speak good English (a lifesaver for someone like me!), and they're actually helpful. They'll give you recommendations, help you with bookings, and even (on more than one occasion) point you in the right direction when you're hopelessly lost (yup, that was me). I remember this one time, I was trying to navigate the public transport, utterly bewildered. One of the staff members, bless their heart, practically drew me a map! Seriously, top marks for the staff. They turn a good stay into a great one.
Is there parking? I'm driving…
Okay, so parking in Kraków, or in *any* old European city, is a bit of a wild west situation. Turnau City Awaits! *does* have parking, which is a huge plus. But be warned - it's not super cheap. I think it was about whatever the going rate is for secure parking in the centre of a major city. But, hey, it's secure, and you don’t have to deal with the stress of finding street parking, which is an absolute nightmare. Consider the cost of not having to drive around on the street looking for a parking spot, and it'll all balance out. Alternatively... don't drive in Krakow. Honestly. The public transport is great, and walking is even better.
The "Little Things": Wi-Fi, Air Conditioning, Etc. Are They Reliable?
Okay, the essentials. Wi-Fi? Generally reliable. Not always lightning-fast, but good enough for checking emails, posting Insta-stories of your pierogi adventures, and maybe even streaming a movie. Air conditioning? Yes, and thank heavens for that! Especially in the summer. It was a lifesaver after a day of walking around in the heat. Honestly, I'm not one for worrying about the little things, so they did their job without me noticing. The basics, they're covered.
Okay, So, *Should* I Stay There? Give Me the TL;DR!
Look, if you want a convenient, clean, and well-located place to crash after a day of soaking up Kraków's magic, then yes, absolutely. Turnau City Awaits! is a solid choice. It's not perfect, but it's a good basecamp for your adventure. Think of it as a reliable friend who won’t let you down. Go, explore, and get ready to eat your weight in pierogi. You won't regret it. Just remember to pace yourself. And maybe, just maybe, lay off the vodka if you're planning on navigating cobbled streets at night.
