City break in Krakow: dumplings, dragons and divine architecture

The unbeatable location in the heart of the Old Town is just the tip of the iceberg for this 19th-century hotel. Rooms are inspired by three period painters – Matejko, Wyspiański and Nowosielski. I stayed in a Matejko room and loved the way the dark wood beams sat with the intense colours of the artworks. After check-in, head to the Unity Bar – decked out in bottle-green tiles – and order a cocktail like the Sazerac – it’s shaken up with absinth.

For romance, stay at this boutique-style hotel in the Old Town, which is snug with just 34 rooms. The highlight has to be the charming garden, where you can drink a cup of tea while you watch birds flutter among the daisies and hydrangeas. Some rooms have garden views, and all bring the outdoors in with exposed brick, naked wood and leafy artworks.

Book a room overlooking Cloth Hall at this central hotel. While the current building wasn’t completed until 1823, Gothic beams remain in the structure, highlighting Krakow’s layered history. Freshen up in your Italian marble bathroom and sip a Nespresso overlooking the square. Before checking out, be sure to visit the spa for a dip in the sauna beneath the medieval vaulted cellar ceilings.

Sitting right next to the Vistula River, this hotel’s a real gem in the Jewish Quarter. Huge windows flood each room with light, and furnishings add carefully chosen pops of colour. I was surprised to find modern tech like a Marshal Speaker, Chrome Cast and even a tablet in my room. Before you head out for the day, grab a freshly brewed Americano and a sweet bun from the hotel’s MAK bakery.