Since, we spent the first night after our arrival from Dublin, at the Westin Warsaw; we didn't need a taxi or public transport. The hotels are on the same road and even the same side, approximately 0.8 km apart.
Our check in was quick, but left something to be desired. The receptionist was cold, disinterested and treated us more like we were a nuisance. As Hilton Honors Diamonds we should have automatically received free internet access. I went down later to get a three day access for our three nights and the lady at reception couldn't have been friendlier.
We were upgraded from a Deluxe Room to a Deluxe Plus. Our Deluxe Plus Room wasn't on the Executive Floors, but we still had access to the Executive Lounge as Hilton Honors Diamonds.
Our room was large and overlooking the New Town with views towards the AXA Tower and the building site of the Warsaw Spire. Unlike the Dublin Spire, this is going to be a modern tower with offices, retail space and apartments. The Hilton has good soundproofing, and we couldn't hear any noise from the building site or the traffic.
Our room was divided into two spaces: The working area included a writing desk, with a lot of space for laptops, cameras, documents and so on and the relaxation area with a king sized bed, TV (local and international channels), DVD player, two chairs and a coffee table. There was also a book about Warsaw and Fozailoff Jewelry. The color scheme of the room was mostly in brown with red and white splashes. We had two wardrobes, so ample storage space. The writing desk was located behind the bed. To distinguish between work and relaxation there was a partition between the bed and the desk.
The bathroom was large with separate bath tub and shower, a TV, one sink and Peter Thomas Roth amenities.
Overall the atmosphere was soothing. The Serenity Bed allowed for a good nights sleep and the bath tub and shower were very comfortable too.
The hotel has a spa by Holmes Place, a casino, a restaurant called Meza and a large atrium. The atrium contains Fozailoff Jewelry, a gift shop and the restaurant. The Hilton also has the largest meeting and conference facilities in Warsaw. Sometimes there are also cars in the lobby, when there is a launch.
The club lounge is located on the highest floor and offers stunning views over the city.
It is open from 06.30 hours to 23.00 hours and offers healthy snacks, like dried cranberries, fresh and dried fruits, coffee, tea, juices and other beverages throughout the day. There are also Jaffa Cakes, Maltesers and salt sticks.
During Afternoon tea there is a wide selection of cakes and one or two savory dishes available. In the evening there are two hot dishes available (changing daily and included fish/seafood, pirogi and kofta) and a cold buffet with cheese, crudities, dips, bread, butter/margarine and small appetizers. We could choose from red and white wine, rum, vodka and other liquors. There was also sparkling wine from the Czech Republic. We enjoyed a glass or two nearly every night.
Breakfast was large with a good selection of fresh fruit, Bircher Berner Muesli, Yogurt, cold cuts, smoked salmon, scrambled or boiled egg, tomato mushroom skewers and sausage bacon skewers. The quality was high.
We didn't use the restaurant, but enjoyed in room dining, offered 24 hours. We loved especially the Asian Beef and the Goulash and Thai Chicken Coconut Soup.
I booked a spa appointment. The Holmes Place Fitness Center and Spa has an identical design as the Hilton. The locker room seemed more like an afterthought, but fulfilled the purpose of getting changed and store valuables.
My therapist was male. We had a chat and realized we had something in common. We had both lived in Dublin. While I love Ireland's capital, he didn't like it especially.
I had a sports massage, and it was really good. I was sore for days afterwards, but I got also rid of my tensions.
During our second stay after returning from Krakow we were upgraded to an Executive Deluxe Room. It was on one of the highest floors. The difference between a Deluxe Plus Room and the Executive Deluxe was the size and location. While we were quite high up during our first stay, we were on one of the highest floors available, when we stayed at the Executive Deluxe Room. Our second room was smaller and had a sofa instead of two chairs. There is a normal writing desk. This room overlooked the other side with views towards the Palace of Culture and Science and the Marriott Hotel.
Considering as a Diamond we had anyway Club Lounge access, the first upgrade to the Deluxe Plus Room was maybe better, because the room was larger.
We also received a personal note from the hotel manager and an apple tart as gift.
On each leg to/from the airport we used taxis. When we went to the airport for our journey to Poznan, the traffic was busy, so the journey took longer. We paid 41 PLN (ca. 10.25 Euro / 13 USD), the other two times we paid 27 and 29 PLN respectively (ca. 6.75 Euro / 7.25 Euro or 8.50 USD / 9.10 USD).
Besides the gentleman we encountered during our first check in, every one else was friendly and helpful.
Of course we would stay here again.
©2012
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