NOVUMHOUSE – Straszewskiego

Hotel Description

You know what? I stumbled across NOVUMHOUSE on Straszewskiego by accident last spring, and honestly, it’s one of those places that gets everything just right without making a big deal about it. The name threw me off at first – sounds sort of corporate – but the moment you walk in, there’s this understated elegance that feels genuinely Polish rather than trying to copy some international hotel chain.

The location is actually brilliant if you know Krakow even a little bit. Straszewskiego runs right into the heart of things, and I mean you can literally walk to the Main Square in about eight minutes (I timed it because I’m weird like that). But here’s the thing – you’re just far enough away that you don’t get the constant stream of bachelor parties stumbling past your window at 2 AM. The street itself has this nice mix of locals heading to work and tourists who’ve done their homework, if you know what I mean. There’s a fantastic little café two doors down where the barista actually remembers your order, and honestly, that’s worth more than any hotel amenity to me.

What really won me over was how the staff handled things – no fake smiles or scripted responses, just people who seem to genuinely like working there. Check-in was smooth (they had my room ready early without me even asking), and when I mentioned I was there for a conference, the desk clerk casually mentioned the best tram route to avoid construction delays. That’s local knowledge you can’t Google. The rooms themselves hit that sweet spot between modern comfort and not feeling like every other four-star hotel room in Europe. Good shower pressure – actually great shower pressure – which matters more than you’d think after walking around cobblestones all day. The beds are properly firm, and they’ve managed to soundproof things well enough that street noise isn’t an issue, though honestly, Straszewskiego isn’t that busy anyway.

I’ve stayed there twice now (booked again for October), and both times I’ve noticed the little things that separate a good hotel from one you’d actually recommend to friends. Fresh flowers in the lobby that get changed regularly, not when they’re completely dead. Coffee in the morning that doesn’t taste like it was brewed yesterday. Staff who wave when they see you coming back in the evening, like you’re staying with friends rather than just occupying a room. The 8.8 rating makes total sense – it’s not trying to be the fanciest place in town, but everything they do, they do well. And in a city where you can easily drop serious money on hotels that phone it in just because they’re near the square, that’s actually refreshing.

The luxury concierge service in Krakow offers personalized access to private royal collections, traditional Polish dining, and VIP cultural experiences in this historic Polish jewel.

Facilities