HIDDEN GUEST: Nobu Hotel Warsaw

When Nobu announces the debut of its brand at a destination, the news resonates among gourmets and hotel rivals. Warsaw welcomed its Nobu amid the pandemic year of 2020. As soon as it flung open its doors, the hotel raised interest in Poland. Today, the story of Nobu’s global expansion is almost legendary. When Robert De Niro and producer Meir Teper savoured the mouthwatering dishes of head chef Nobu Matsuhisa, they immediately warmed up to the idea of opening a satellite restaurant in De Niro’s hometown of New York. Today, the Nobu empire includes 57 restaurants and 38 hotels that turn heads whenever they open. The philosophy never changes: Nobu is a restaurant enriched by a hotel, never the other way around. It is plain to see this is a recipe for success. Nobu Warsaw is the only one in New Europe, tucked away in the heart of Warsaw’s elite culinary epicentre. Mokotowski district is a patchwork of modern and historic buildings. A part of the hotel is steeped in history within an old Art-deco building that had already housed a hotel. The district itself is lined with haute restaurants, glitzy theatres and institutions. Within spitting distance, guests will find the central train station and a key point of orientation – the Palace of Culture and Science. Hala Koszyki, Warsaw’s most frequented culinary market, is within walking distance. After several visits to Warsaw, we can unreservedly state this district is one of the most hip. Nobu Hotel seeped into this setting seamlessly, enriching the district with its architecture and culinary narrative.

Most telling about their philosophy is a quote from Nobu’s head chef we read while thumbing through the prestigious in-house magazine: “Because people support us, I would like to give support back to the cities. We don’t worry about the money; we want to make people happy. If we make people happy, the money will come after. The smiles on customers; faces and their laughter are what we want. It’s a win, win, win.” It is delightful to read quotes that encompass the essence of the hospitality industry.

You can stroll from the central train station and reach the hotel in under ten minutes. Warsaw Airport is not far away, either. A taxi ride from the airport will take twenty to twenty-five minutes, should you avoid rush hour. A welcome alternative is the train (S2 line) or the bus (line 175) going from the airport. Warsaw has one of the leading airports in New Europe. It has been ranked 30th among Europe’s most accessible airports, outdoing cities such as Prague, Budapest and Belgrade. This superb accessibility means you can reach the city from any part of the world without a problem. Guests who organise their travels independently can be reassured, as the metro station Politechnika (M1 line) is a short walk from the hotel. Guests arriving by car can park in one of the central underground parking garages; however, given the incredible central location, we advise walking or taking a taxi to get around the city. Bolt, Uber and an armada of classic taxis will take you around for a fair price. The hotel is also inclusive, accessible to disabled guests and generally easy to navigate.

The charming V-shape of the novel hotel facility leaves a memorable first impression. Whenever the architectural studio Medusa Group crops up in conversation in Poland, there is always mention of outstanding architecture. Architects Przemysław Łukasik and Łukasz Zagała founded the studio in 1997. They took the challenge of designing the first ever Eastern-European Nobu head-on by selecting the location, brand and Art-deco design of the revered Hotel Rialto. The refined V-shape of the hotel is a continuation and evolution of the district’s modern and socialist realistic cultural heritage. The two architects envisaged the hotel as an open, modern and colourful space inspired by Japanese design. We were most impressed by the V-shaped design, squeezing the last inch out of the relatively limited space. We were also amazed by the verdant green terraces that enrich the monolithic facade. The lush, vertical garden is now an attraction of the district. Within, guests will find a typical refined Nobu-style design. Concrete, wood, stone, and glass dominate the interior, all packed into an opulent living space. The natural materials ooze the feeling of being connected to nature, while the simple and minimalist lines exude sophistication. Subtle lighting ties it all together, creating an inviting ambience.

One of Nobu’s principles is to allow guests to have an unobscured view of the kitchen, revelling in the masterful creations of the chefs. Upholding the tradition of Nobu Matsushi and adapting his menus is Australian Executive Ches Josh Treacy. His right-hand man is the sushi Head Chef Vito Cusumano. We could not taste their creations because we arrived at the hotel on the busiest day of the week. However, the legendary Black Cod Miso is superb even when served as a dish on the room service menu. We warmly recommend tasting the local twist in the form of Wagyu pierogies with a delectable ponzu sauce. Umami!

Breakfast follows Nobu’s philosophy. You can order dishes a la carte or savour others buffet-style. A must-try is the Matsuhisa Benedict, which could be advertised as egg heaven. The Shiro Tamaga omelette is mouthwatering, as are most of the dishes on the buffet. Everything exceeds expectations. Only the personnel is somewhat reserved, although still professional at all times. Alas, we failed to see genuine passion among them. In a hotel of this category, that feels almost obligatory. Even at the reception and check-in, the staff appeared dispirited, even impertinent. That goes against the humble philosophy of the founders. The management will need to elevate its game to make everything tick. Nobu Warsaw may be a big-name hotel, but superstars are supposed to set the bar with their exemplary behaviour. In their defence, some staff members amended the errors of their colleagues by going the extra mile. If you stay at the hotel on a Sunday, try Nobu Sundays Brunch, which will introduce you to their superb gastronomy.

Hotel rooms

Upon stepping into the spacious Executive Room, a striking concrete construction caught our eye. It radically contrasts the refined elegance of the interior. Dominated by massive oak wooden flooring, topped with a prestigious carpet under the bed and perforated tapestry on the walls, the room exudes elegance. The zen Japanese aesthetics is enriched by superb lighting and artworks of contemporary Polish artists. A Harman Kardon speaker transforms the room into a music haven. We also noticed the unique Zori slippers and Yukata bathrobes. The illumination is super intuitive to manage, thanks to a digital touchscreen. Behind massive wooden doors, you will find the bathroom, marked by Carrara marble and exquisite Laufen ceramic tiles. In the rooms, everything befits the five-star standard, especially the bed lining and quality bed. The spacious, bright and airy room we stayed in was located at the end of the V-shaped corridor of the new part of the hotel. That contributed to the phenomenal panoramic view of the cityscape. Together with the select materials and geometry of the room, the city shines even brighter from the rooms as the lamps begin to light at dusk. Even though the architecture stems from Nobu’s previous hotel concepts, it has been designed with a hearty dose of surprises for the guests that draw inspiration from the local environment. Exceptional and unforgettable.

Meetings centre

Most events in the hotel take place in the Sakura and Hikari halls on the first floor. Joined, they can host 240 guests in a banquet setting. Both halls tell the story of Nobu. Through the glassed facade and terraces, the halls reveal views of the buzzing city. The petite-sized green oasis Aozora (50 square metres) adds value to the conference centre, enabling attendees to enjoy fresh air or organise a coffee break. The spacious glass surfaces provide great views and flood the space with light, prompting guests to network. Nobu Warsaw boasts four smaller conference rooms, too. Two of them, Kaijo and Shiawase Shiawase, can be connected into a slightly larger room (50 square metres). Other rooms are considerably smaller. We adored the refined industrial style in the two main halls. Moreover, the superb acoustics and technical equipment make it a no-brainer to host an event here.

DESSERT – The extras

Think about taking your attendees to a world-class jazz club after an event. That can be done in this hotel, courtesy of Nobu’s Jazz Club Jasmine. It can capacitate up to 190 guests who will revel in the immersive music and splendid acoustics. The intimate atmosphere is compelling.

FLOP – NEGATIVE SURPRISES

A slightly hairsplitting remark concerns the relatively tiny fitness. Given the size of the property, we expected a more spacious, better-equipped fitness. The same applies to the spa centre. Another detail the architects could consider is lining the room with coat hangers. Unfortunately, coats and autumn or winter clothes scattered around the furniture or folded over on chairs ruin the zen vibe.

TOP – POSITIVE SURPRISES

Have you seen a hotel with an in-house DJ? We must admit this phenomenon is lesser known in our part of Europe. In Warsaw’s Nobu, DJ Aleks plays groovy hits every Friday and Saturday night.

SUSTAINABLE ENDEAVOURS

The most conspicuous sustainable element is the spacious green roof covering 192 square metres. They have 8,500 plants on the roof. The exterior is only the beginning, as the entire building is energy-optimised, holding the LEED Gold certificate. A guarantee the hotel is sincere about its sustainable aspirations is the Swegon air-conditioning brand. The air-conditioning in the room and hotel is phenomenal, completely undisturbing and easy to manage. Guests appreciate that the most, besides small sustainable activations, starting with cosmetics.

This American-Polish jewel is undisputedly a game-changer. Many have said it is more than a hotel. That is one of the reasons it has become an icon in Warsaw. The Polish interpretation of the original is genuine, modern and, as apt for the brand, refined, monolithic and minimalistic. At the same time, Nobu Warsaw is a professional event venue that goes beyond the Nobu character. It seems like a zen urban bubble amidst the heart of Warsaw. The city has adopted the hotel as its own, both from the outside and inside. You may have to accept some compromises in terms of hotel hospitality, but that does not spoil the overall impression. Lastly, the price policy is transparent: prices start at around 200 EUR, which is standard for Warsaw hotels. The culinary pampering may raise the price to an above-average five-star price for Poland; however, we heartily believe the prices are justified, considering Nobu’s unmistakable character and charm. Above all, your event in this hotel will shine bright.

FINAL GRADE: 4.98 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