Luneta Warszawska Hostel

It's about five minutes from a tram stop, and with Google Maps or something similar, you should be alright. We had an outdated airport map and didn't know how the trams worked, so finding it the first time took about an hour. It's also around a 25-minute walk from downtown. The hostel was an amazing experience and great for the money, though. It's a unique, clean place in an old fort, which makes it feel adventurous, while the atmosphere itself is quiet and relaxed. Breakfast was great, and the feeling was exotic but still relaxing. I'd recommend it to anyone visiting Krakow.

Big, clean rooms with an original, unique style. It's a bit of a walk to get there, but that does give you some daily exercise ;) I'd definitely recommend it if you're after a different kind of hostel.

The bathrooms are roomy, but there's not much privacy in the shower area: the stalls have curtains and nowhere to hang clothes. The showers run on a timer that you have to keep resetting, though the hot water and pressure are fine. The kitchen is well equipped, with a basic grocery store within walking distance and a large supermarket an easy tram ride away. There's little of interest right nearby, so for a meal out you'll need to take the tram, probably to Kracow's lovely Old Town. The hostel is a unique, good-value stay in Luneta Warazawska, set in a huge military fortress first built in 1849. The building's history during the Soviet era is no doubt less pretty. Coming in after dark can feel intimidating if you're faint of heart: the entrance is dark, the sign is small, and inside you pass several doorways before climbing a narrow flight of stairs, still not knowing quite what to expect. Then the place opens up into a tasteful restoration, with large rooms and an excellent kitchen and dining area. It does feel like work is still underway. The central heating isn't operational yet, so dozens of space heaters keep the big rooms warm. They did the job, and the dorm room was comfortable. It isn't set up to encourage much personal interaction, but it's still a nicely restored and distinctive place to stay.

The hostel is clean and modern, and the kitchen has everything you need. It's quiet at night, and the building is really interesting. The lockers look nicely designed but aren't practical at all. For all the architectural potential, the place feels short on good vibes, maybe because the staff seem like they don't really care.