BETWEEN MODERNITY AND OBSOLETENESS
LOCATION
To sleep in a more central location in Katowice is an impossible feat. The iconic Mariacka Street is where life never comes to a halt. This street is the place to be seen, teeming with bars, restaurants, shops and ebullience. Close to the train station, this district is the heart of the urban agglomeration typical for Katowice. This region is a cluster of closely connected industrial cities, towns and hamlets, not excluding the Czech town of Ostrava across the border. It seems Hotel Monopol reigns supreme in the city’s hotel industry. Erected in 1902 as an eclectic mix of Art Noveau and Gothic styles, the iconic establishment changed hands and purpose until its final metamorphosis, which concluded in 2003. With a strategic location, guests can easily visit and see the legendary Spodek Arena, the Silesian Museum and other landmarks.
ACCESSIBILITY
It seems ideal to reach Katowice by train, followed by a brisk walk from the central train station to the legendary hotel institution. The environment and your wallet will thank you. Katowice boasts excellent connections with other cities across Poland. Air accessibility is more problematic; however, regional airports are not far away. Not least, Krakow Airport is well-frequented, ranking second in Poland in terms of the number of flights. If you arrive by car, you can park in the hotel’s private garage or choose one of the surrounding parking garages, which will set you back around 20 EUR daily. Those who dabble in adrenaline parking manoeuvres might appreciate the futuristic tower parking near the hotel. Otherwise, the traffic in this part of town is almost always condensed. That is why the best option is to opt for the affordable taxis or the public transport. Yet, in light of the location, we recommend simply walking, as all landmarks are close. Cycling paths are not ideal in Katowice. We hope they have plans afoot to improve cycling infrastructure.
COLD STARTER - Architecture and aesthetics
The monolithic grey lobby beautifully matches the beige brick facade, characterised by windows and attics in Gothic style. This harmonious combination continues to impress guests and gives the hotel a recognisable character. It was erected during the heyday of the Art Noveau style, which sent architects from Vienna, Budapest and other Central European destinations into a frenzy. The hotel’s architect, Ludwik Goldstein, undoubtedly took inspiration from this movement. During the last renovation, the architects meticulously renovated the design to make it shine as the original. In the interior, though, they allowed themselves more freedom. The heart of the hotel is the Cristallo Restaurant, a precisely renovated former courtyard. It has gained acclaim as one of the most prestigious banquet areas in the city, making a strong impression on guests. The patchwork of glass, brick walls and steel construction is where the city’s modernity and past meet. As tastes often differ, there is no sense in debating the interior design. Still, we must outline that the hotel is ageing like wine thanks to the quality materials. Classic never goes out of style, right?
WARM ENTRÉE - The staff and the culinary experience
The staff ranges dramatically from utmost professional to utterly disinterested. Many students doing their summer jobs are not up to their tasks. Older staff members could use a crash course about treating guests. Unfortunately, though, the first and last impressions were passable. Instead of paying attention to guests, the receptionist focused on recent reservations. The check-in took much too long. The young duo serving breakfast were too busy with themselves, neglecting guests awaiting their attention. There are still exceptions in this hotel. In a five-star hotel, the expectations are high. The breakfast we tried was satisfactory and included an a la carte menu. Still, you cannot serve eggs benedict without a proper hollandaise sauce. They should serve freshly squeezed juices to make a noticeable difference. We see this area as pivotal for making improvements in the future. Otherwise, guests will bolt to one of the nearby restaurants, as the hotel is set amidst the city’s restaurant triangle, where the competition is fierce.
MAIN COURSE – The meetings offering at the hotel
Hotel rooms
The room reminded us of a plush city apartment because of the high ceilings, elegant carpet and wooden flooring with fish-shaped motifs that will likely undergo many renovations in the future. What turns heads is the furniture from birdseye maple, a sought-after material during the renovation in 2011. The building materials are the same. Even today, the design oozes luxury, standing the test of time well. Further luxurious is the bathroom, decked out in several types of marble. Unlike many other hotels that prefer faux marble, this one is real. We must praise the superb illumination and the spacious working desk that enables easy remote work. The bed and particularly the bed lining are exemplary, too. As the room overlooked the main city street, we were afraid the rattle from downstairs would be disturbing, but we slept unperturbed. The room embodies a timeless classic. If you are a fan of such rooms, you will enjoy it. The room is ageing well, not least thanks to the black-and-white photos of Katowice.
Meetings centre
Cristallo Restaurant represents the heart of the meeting offer. It doubles as a unique event venue, capacitating up to 180 attendees for banquets and up to 230 in a theatre setting. This phenomenal venue has become a local favourite among event organisers. You can also host your event in the meeting rooms aptly named A, B and C. The largest, A hall, can seat up to 120 attendees. The B and C halls can accommodate 70 and 25 guests, respectfully. The wine cellar is another inspiring space where 16 people can meet.
DESSERT – The extras
The boutique SPA centre boasts a pool sizable enough for a proper swim before or after an event. Tried-and-tested.
FLOP – NEGATIVE SURPRISES
Indeed, the hotel is in good form after 21 years. Nonetheless, wear and tear is beginning to show. The hotel locks are old school and need some crafty convincing to give way to the room.
TOP – POSITIVE SURPRISES
The bathroom may be classic, but it exudes prestige, thanks to the premium cosmetics. Above all, everything functions in this hotel. Kudos!
SUSTAINABLE ENDEAVOURS
We neither saw a sustainable initiative nor any communication about one.
FINAL IMPRESSION AND CREDIBILITY
What is the main competitive advantage if we start from the top? It must be its location, architecture and image as a five-star hotel and flagship of Katowice. By European standards, the value for money is superb, too. To boot, the spaciousness, coupled with a rich gastronomic offering, convinces many guests. We had mixed feelings regarding the hotel staff, though. This hotel should make improvements, even though no segment is drastically underperforming. Hotel Monopol Katowice offers the prestige and image numerous event organisers seek for their events. In the same breath, there is room for improvement and fine-tuning the service to the demands of business guests.
FINAL GRADE: 4.85 THREE MEETING STARS⭐⭐⭐ City Meeting Hotel
3 MEETING STARS⭐⭐⭐ final score from 4.81 to 5.00
2 MEETING STARS⭐⭐ final score from 4.61 to 4.80
1 MEETING STAR⭐ final score from 4.41 to 4.60
