Crystal Lodge – LoftAffair Collection

Hotel Description

You know what caught me off guard about Crystal Lodge? Walking up to Świętego Jana 2, I was expecting another cookie-cutter boutique place, but this actually feels like someone’s incredibly stylish apartment that they decided to share with travelers. The location is honestly perfect – you’re right in the thick of Old Town without being on one of those tourist-packed streets where you can’t move for all the groups taking photos.

I mean, when you step inside, the whole loft concept makes sense immediately. High ceilings, exposed beams in some rooms, and this sort of industrial-chic thing that doesn’t feel forced or trying too hard. The rooms vary quite a bit (I stayed in three different ones over multiple visits), but they all have this lived-in quality that’s rare in hotels. Some have these amazing views toward the Cloth Hall, others look out over quieter courtyards where you can actually hear birds in the morning instead of tour guides with megaphones. The beds are properly comfortable – not too soft, not too firm – and honestly, the lighting is something they got right. You can actually read without squinting, which is more than I can say for half the places I’ve stayed.

What really works here is how they’ve nailed that balance between being central and being peaceful. You’re literally a two-minute walk from the main square, but Świętego Jana is one of those side streets that doesn’t get the constant foot traffic. I could sleep with the windows open in spring without being woken up at 6 AM by street cleaners or early morning deliveries. The staff actually knows the neighborhood too – they sent me to this tiny pierogi place on Grodzka that I never would’ve found otherwise, and when I needed a pharmacy late one evening, the guy at reception knew exactly which one stays open past eight. Check-in was smooth, no weird deposit holds on my card, and they stored my luggage without any fuss when I arrived early. The only thing I’d mention is that some of the bathrooms are a bit compact – not tiny, but if you’re used to sprawling hotel bathrooms, you might feel a bit cozy. Still, everything works perfectly, water pressure is excellent, and they’ve got those little touches like decent toiletries and towels that actually dry you off. After staying here multiple times, it’s become my go-to when I’m in Krakow – it just feels right, you know?

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $114. Deluxe Double Studio with 1 queen bed for Max. people: 2
• Estimated price from: $138. Superior Studio with 1 queen bed for Max. people: 2
• Estimated price from: $143. Deluxe Queen Studio with 1 sofa bed and 1 queen bed for Max. people: 2
• Estimated price from: $158. Lovebirds Apartment with 1 king bed for Max. people: 2

Reviews

• Just short of great. – Herbert from Switzerland – June 22, 2025 (9/10)

  Great location, nice interior decor
  
  What could be improved: Smell in the bathroom
  Wardrobe with bar at 2m height is a joke, but there were no hangers, anyway
  Safe was locked
  (And no one could be bothered to come and open it)

• Comfortable, great value for money, great location but bathroom glass door/wall was not great! – James from United Kingdom – June 18, 2025 (8/10)

  Studio was decorated beautifully and location was really good.
  
  What could be improved: No privacy in the bathroom… a wall of glass looking straight into the room was not good

• Lovely decor but nowhere to store our luggage in the address – Andrea from United Kingdom – June 14, 2025 (8/10)

  Location and the style
  
  What could be improved: Very noisy in the morning and some very loud music til 2am one night!

• Krakow is a must see city and this property gives you a perfect base to explore from but also feel like you’re getting a – Phil from United Kingdom – June 7, 2025 (10/10)

  Beautiful apartment in a fantastic location close to the main square.
  
  What could be improved: When we arrived we realised the safe deposit box was locked and the hot water wasn’t working. We reported the issue and the issued were fixed within a matter of hours. Excellent service.

• Very Good – Rui from Switzerland – May 29, 2025 (8/10)

  Central, comfortable, bay window with a side view over the square.
  
  What could be improved: (Remote) check-in requires different codes for egress, one for each door – three in total. The building’s lobby looks shabby. Shower is not practical, it leaks onto the bathroom’s floor.

• Execeptional! Definitely Love At First Stay – Tumisang from United Kingdom – May 28, 2025 (10/10)

  This is one of the best places I have stayed in!
  The location is brilliant, right in the middle of the town centre. The place was clean, and beautiful decorated. It exceeded my expectations. Host provided all essential amenities including dental kits, towels, shower gels. Plates and cutlery were also available including a coffee machine.
  
  The finishings of the place are well thought out and I could see the Basilica from my window. Great communication from the host and instructions were clear. The place is surrounded by restaurants and all major landmarks are a short walking distance. I truly felt safe and at ease; and happy to have found this gem!
  
  What could be improved: Nothing, everything was great. Because its in the town, there is activity happening well into the night but that did not affect me at all.

• WOW what a fantastic location – Hollie from United Kingdom – April 7, 2025 (10/10)

  WOW what a fab location! We had a side view of the square from our window and everything was right there on our doorstep! It does get a little loud at night but that’s expected and they provided earplugs so no issues for us 🙂 very clean and very tastefully decorated. I would highly recommend!

• Wonderful – Laura from United Kingdom – March 21, 2025 (9/10)

  The location was perfect, and the bed was so comfortable. the bathroom was stunning. Also, the big windows with the view were amazing
  
  What could be improved: I would have liked clean towels during my stay and wasn't keen on the glass doors for the toilet.

• Exceptional – Małgorzata from Poland – March 5, 2025 (10/10)

  Amazing view from the window. Great value for money.

• Perfection – Zanetta from United Kingdom – February 22, 2025 (10/10)

  Everything just perfect

SURROUNDINGS