Hotel Kamieniec

The hotel is in a very peaceful location, but don't come expecting luxury. Neither the rooms nor the building have been modernized, and that communist-era feel is everywhere. I'd usually rate somewhere like this two stars, but for me the unusual experience made it four. ;)

The staff and food were the real bright spots. The people are passionate, very friendly, and make the place feel like a family-run hotel. They were ready to advise, explain things, and help with whatever we needed. The Ukrainian borscht was world-class, and the service was excellent. Cleanliness seemed sufficient to me, though I can see how someone might have reservations, likely because the place is underinvested. The building has lovely grounds and a fireplace, and clearly has potential, especially in a tourist-heavy place like Oswiecim. But it needs renovation. Nearly every area, from the lobby to the room bathrooms, could use work. By today's hotel standards it's poor, more like a mountain hut than a two-star hotel, and the standard feels like it belonged 30 years ago. There are safety concerns too, including a lack of fire alarms. That needs the attention of PTTK (Polish Tourist and Sightseeing Society) management, rather than the residents.

The breakfast was good, though even that came with the same 80s decor. The rest of the stay was a disaster. I was there because an event organizer had booked it for me, and after arriving at 2 a.m. I had no other option. The place was dirty, the decor looked straight out of the 80s, and I later realized bedbugs had bitten me. For 120 PLN, you can find ordinary clean hotels with decent conditions. This might suit a Bareja movie, but not life today. I don't recommend it.

Good food, fair prices, and a pleasant atmosphere made this a really nice place. The one downside is that you can't pay by card. Even so, I wholeheartedly recommend it :)