In short: Tripplo’s analysis covers a sample of 66 guest reviews of Hotel Stary. Guests in the sample highlight Location, Pools, beach & aquapark and Food & restaurants. The most common complaints: Many rooms are dark, and some courtyard rooms feel gloomy. Many found it poor value for the price.
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The luxurious Hotel Stary is located in the heart of Kraków’s Old Town. It features a seasonal Sky Bar, located on a rooftop terrace and featuring a view of the Main Market and a picturesque panorama of the Old Town. Guests of the hotel have free access to the on-site spa, which includes a sauna, gym, and a steam bath. In addition, 2 swimming pools with swim jets are available.
The air-conditioned rooms and suites at the Stary have bathrooms with a bathtub and shower. Plasma TVs with satellite channels are also available in every room. Some rooms have a balcony. It offers free internet, mineral water and newspapers.
It is possible to enjoy a massage or a treatment in the wellness & spa centre, at a surcharge and upon prior request. In the morning guests can enjoy a traditional Polish breakfast. The Trzy Rybki restaurant serves traditional Polish dishes. In addition, the hotel also has a bar, café and a club.
Hotel Stary is 1.1 km from the Wawel Castle. The old Jewish district, Kazimierz is 1 km away. Kraków Główny Train Station and Galeria Krakowska shopping centre are also 1 km from the hotel.
Tripplo’s hotel summary
Tripplo’s analysis · Updated 22 October 2026 · How we review hotels
For visitors who value wellness facilities alongside historic city views, this Old Town destination is a strong choice. The hotel features subterranean pools equipped with swim jets and a rooftop Sky Bar that overlooks the market square. An indoor swimming pool and fitness centre are also available on-site. On the downside, the subterranean spa receives limited daylight, and the rooftop bar operations are strictly seasonal.
Guests score it 9.2 out of 10 — the average across the 8 hotels we list in Kraków is 9.1.
- The seasonal rooftop terrace offers views directly over Kraków's Main Market Square. It serves as an elegant space for evening drinks away from the busy streets below.
- Located in the vaulted medieval cellars, the two indoor swimming pools feature counter-current jets. This design allows for active swimming despite the historic footprint of the basement.
- The popular Sky Bar only operates during the warmer months, meaning autumn and winter guests miss out on the rooftop experience. However, the sophisticated indoor bar remains open year-round.
- Because the spa and pools are housed in the historic brick cellars, they lack natural light. Soft, atmospheric lighting is used instead to create a quiet, cocoon-like ambiance.
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- Pros and cons in every category guests mention
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Should you book it?
Book it if you want
- Kraków Old Town sightseeing with an on-site sauna, steam bath and pools with swim jets; treatments cost extra
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Rooms & which one to pick
- Double Room1 queen bedsleeps 2Air conditioningFree WiFi
- Junior Suite1 king bed and 1 sofa bedsleeps 3Air conditioningFree WiFi
- Twin Room2 twin bedssleeps 2Air conditioningFree WiFi
- Suite1 king bed and 1 sofa bedsleeps 3Air conditioningFree WiFi
- Luxury Suite1 king bed and 1 sofa bedsleeps 3Air conditioningFree WiFi
- Single Room1 twin bedsleeps 1Air conditioningFree WiFi
Room types as listed on Booking.com; availability varies by date.
Prices at Hotel Stary
When we last checked (23 October 2026), a 2-night stay for two adults cost from €339 in total (€170 per night).
Prices sampled daily by Tripplo for a two-adult stay about a month ahead, in EUR. Your dates may differ — use the price check to see live availability.
Typical price per night: €199. Lowest €167 (check-in 1 Nov), highest €513 (check-in 22 Oct).
Stays starting on a Friday or Saturday cost about 16% more per night than stays starting Sunday to Thursday.
Price per night for check-ins from 22 Sept to 22 Nov, measured daily by Tripplo for 2 nights and two adults, one month ahead.
What guests say
Reviews from Google“Gorgeous hotel. Fantastic location. Staff was a bit awkward to communicate with. The spa is worth every penny of your stay cost. Beautiful bathroom. Loved the saunas and pool. For being an upscale hotel, the staff needs to learn to be kinder and more respectful to clientele. I had better service down the street at a hotel 8x cheaper. It’s worth staying one night for the spa and ambiance, but the staff made it difficult to enjoy the stay. Every time we had to ask for assistance, it was uncomfortable. One time, they laughed at us the moment we walked away. The maid was very kind. the gym clerk, and restaurant staff was kind. The front desk people need to learn better communication skills.”
“We stayed for 2 nights and had a great time. The location is perfect, right at the city centre. Our room was big, bed was comfortable. Nespresso pods in the room. Staff were very nice. We used the valet parking and had no issues. The pool in the basement was very quiet. I would say the only con was the bathroom lighting was harsh, and the duvet was too small for a king size bed. Very minor things, we would stay again.”
“I stayed at Hotel Stary for a week while traveling for work and was hoping to find a beautiful, relaxing place to come back to each evening. It was exactly that. The staff were always kind, welcoming, and efficient. Breakfast was excellent and beautifully presented every morning. My room was stunning - I honestly felt a little like a princess staying there. The spa was a highlight of my stay. The pool, sauna, and salt room were all wonderful and made it easy to relax after a long day. I've seen some reviews mention noise, but I only noticed the occasional sounds of the city outside. Given the hotel's location in the heart of Kraków's Old Town, I found it entirely reasonable and it certainly didn't impact my stay or the overall sense of relaxation. I would happily stay here again and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone looking for a special stay in Kraków.”
“From arrival to departure, our stay at Hotel Stary exceeded our expectations. The location is perfect if you want to see Krakow and enjoy great restaurants in Old Town. The staff was very helpful at all times. We will recommend it to anyone visiting Krakow.”
“Wonderful botique hotel with gorgeous rooftop bar views of market square. Such a special, elevated place. The rooms are large and well appointed. The hotel is very quiet and centrally located. The bartenders and staff are warm and attentive. The spa is free to guests and is like living in a private retreat grotto. Would stay here again and again.”
What guests actually say
Tripplo’s analysis uses a sample of 66 guest reviews. Texts may be shortened. Mentions are counted after automated classification and describe the sample, rather than every guest’s experience.
The sample follows how Booking.com and Google sort reviews, which puts satisfied guests first, so criticism is under-represented. Read the drawbacks below and the latest reviews on Booking.com before you book.
Food & restaurants
- +A generous, varied breakfast that sets you up for the day
- +A highly praised grill restaurant on the ground floor
- +A rooftop bar and restaurant overlooking the Main Square
- –Breakfast struck some guests as average, with no hot buffet
- –Items on the breakfast buffet that had started to dry out
”The choice was comprehensive and sets you up for the day.” — guest, translated
Service & staff
- +Friendly, helpful staff who go out of their way
- +A warm welcome even on late arrivals, and help with room changes
- –Some found the staff distant or unfriendly, especially at reception
- –Slow drinks service and little sense of hospitality
- –Problems that were handled with little concern
”Friendly staff who went out of their way to accommodate us for the half marathon.” — guest, translated
Pools, beach & aquapark
- +An atmospheric underground pool with sauna and salt room
- +A spa and gym that many guests loved after a day of sightseeing
- –Pool and spa sometimes closed without warning
- –A pool that felt cold to some, and a sparsely equipped gym
- –A smell of chlorine that reaches the reception area
”The older aesthetics of the hotel are amazing, from the automatically opening large front wooden door to the underground pool and spa.” — guest, translated
The rooms
- +Spacious, beautifully decorated rooms in a historic building
- +Comfortable beds and well-finished bathrooms
- –Many rooms are dark, and some courtyard rooms feel gloomy
- –High bathtubs that are hard to climb into, and open showers that flood the floor
- –No kettle or coffee in the room, and curtains that let in the morning sun
”Room was dark! This may not be for everyone, but I think that is part of the experience and vibe.” — guest, translated
Condition & cleanliness
- +An immaculately clean hotel, with rooms sometimes cleaned more than once a day
- –Cleaning lapses, such as a dirty toilet or a room not properly cleaned
- –Faulty fittings, from lighting and ventilation to an old telephone
”Everything was exceptional: friendly staff, immaculately clean, beautiful.” — guest, translated
Location
- +Steps from the Main Square, with cafés and restaurants all around
- +Easy walking to the main sights, the old town and the trams
- –Hard to reach by car, and parking is difficult
- –A lively street that can be loud at night
”Amazing location in the heart of Krakow's Main Square. Close proximity to everything.” — guest, translated
Noise levels
- +Rooms set back from the square can be quiet and easy to sleep in
- –Street noise at night in rooms at the front
- –Loud parties and weddings with music until the early hours
- –Noise from the bar below and from neighbouring rooms
”The street outside the front of the hotel is extremely noisy at night, all through the night.” — guest, translated
Value for money
- –Many found it poor value for the price
- –Breakfast is expensive for what it is
- –High prices in the grill restaurant
”Not good value for money.” — guest, translated
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Frequently asked questions
How far is Hotel Stary from Kraków Airport (KRK)?
Hotel Stary is approximately 10.9 km from Kraków Airport (KRK) in a straight line, calculated from map coordinates. This is not a road distance or transfer time; check the route and transport options before booking.
How do guests rate Hotel Stary?
Hotel Stary is rated 4.7 out of 5 on Google, based on 1,290 reviews. On Booking.com it scores 9.2/10 from 2,022 guest reviews.
How many stars does Hotel Stary have?
Hotel Stary is a 5-star hotel.
What amenities does Hotel Stary offer?
Hotel Stary offers indoor swimming pool, parking, free Wifi, spa and wellness center, airport shuttle and family rooms.
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ul. Szczepańska 5, Old Town, 31-011 Krakow