Hello Folks!In the end of December 2004 I made a trip through eastern Europe (Czech Republic, Slovak Republic, Poland) and one intermediate stop was at Krakow. I do not share mass tourism like it is in every time in Krakow so I decided just to arrive in the evening and to leave early in the morning to Warszawa.Just for staying one night a budget accomodation was the best deal and I decided to stay at the Hotel Studentcki Piast in Krakow. It was the best choice I ever could made, because nearly everything was perfect. To reach the hostel was easy by using one of the tramlines 4,13,14,24 up to tram-stop "Akademia Pedagogiczna" (please watch out - stops won't be announced). After getting of the tram you have to walk down the ul. Piastowsky on the left hand side for about 400 metres nearly to next traffic lighted crossing. On the left there is a post communistic huge building and this is the hostel. But don't turn around and look for the next western style-hotel.Directly at the hostel there is also a busstop, where some buslines (also to/from the citycentre) stops, but going by tram is much nicer for my taste. The access to the hostel is secure, because a security agent is guarding the front door. Just to the right is the reception, where an elderly lady welcomes you very warm. She's talking English even like her mothers-language Polish and so communication won't be a problem. Like in most hostels you pay in advance, but the prices were nearly a bargain. The prices are dependig to the rooms facilities and are charged from 55 zl. - 90 zl. for a single room and from 80 zl. - 130 zl. for a double room (rate per room!!!). In "standrad plus"-rooms you'll find a ensuite bathroom/lavatory and in "standard"-rooms you share bathroom and lavatory with the neighbouring room. How does this work? Very easy. On the first door are two room numbers. If you open this door on the right or on the left side there'll be the lavatory/bathroom. If you pass the door the foyer will be diverted like an Y with entrances for two rooms. Very uncommon but why not?!?In the ground floor you'll find a hair dressers, an ATM/bancomat, a huge room with lots of internet-accessable computers, a pub and so on. Internet is very cheap (3 zl./hour) and so you'll be pleased to surf to continue and plan your upcoming journey. In the neighbourhood is also a chinese restaurant with good and fair prices.I wasn't able to get the breakfast, because I left very early on the next morning before breakfast was served.By the way: 1 EURO = 4 zl./4,25 zl. .I'll rate this hostel with all 5 stars, because there is nothing you can say against it. Everything was fine, friendly, very clean and you feel really, they take care of you. For myself I like Poland very much, because people are very, very kindly like elsewhere in eastern Europe especially when you teach yourself (sometimes only just a little bit) in their language and every door and every gate will be opened for you!!! Polish kitchen hasn't a good reputation so far, but I couldn't understand why. Everytime I got a very good meal with lots of meat and always a good and well cooled beer. Whatever you want more as a traveller without any requirements in luxury?So, I hope, this may help you planning a trip to Poland.That's all for today.Thank you for reading my report and bye for now. Shalom!
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(Review ID: 2797)
being renovated floor at a time?, October 25, 2003
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Anonymous
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stayed 2 years ago its good for 2 sharing [much cheaper then]next to plus discount supermarket,easy bus ride to centrum it has a web site sorry have not got it on me but u can get it up on google
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(Review ID: 2798)
Comfortable, convenient, June 14, 2002
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Karen
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Imported Review
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The Piast is about a 5-10 minute walk from Old Town Krakow, but that's really the only major downfall. It's not luxurious, but the rooms are clean and have their own bathrooms, as well as a small balcony, and a telephone (but you can only receive calls on it). The meals are good and sufficient (breakfast, lunch and dinner are served, lunch being the biggest meal). They provide linens for the beds and pillows. I can't say that there was ever any visible security at the door or anything, but I never had any problems, you get a key to your room. Also there is no curfew. Within the Piast there's a bar, Chinese food restaurant and a post office. Right around the corner is a decent sized supermarket and a somewhat dingy, but cheap internet bar. There are also two parks and a gym within a few blocks. I stayed here for the whole summer and didn't have any problems with the place at all. The staff speaks English and is pretty helpful. Most of the people there are Americans, Canadians and Germans. In the summer, that's where students at the Jagillonian University stay (which is what I was there for). There are people on each floor that are equivalent to RA's at college for the people doing the summer sessions, but they are also extremely good sources of info, if you can't find what you need somewhere else. There is also a tram stop nearby that goes directly into old town and cabs are really cheap, as well. The bottom line is that you'll get everything you need from this place. Especially if you're backpacking and expecting the bare minimum, I recommend this place.
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(Review ID: 2799)
It's been awhile but if all is the same, April 2, 2002
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The Piast is great in the summer time for English speakers as the UJ has their Polish language summer school boarded here. Most of the students are Americans and tend to be great fun. The rooms are standard, neither luxurious nor crappy and I would reccomend this place. It is a bit away from the center but a cab is ridiculously cheap and there is a tram station nearby. The bar downstairs is nice as well.
