New York has Soho, Berlin has Mitte. Cracow has Kazimierz. Created in the 14th century, the Jewish district used to be an independent city – a melting pot where different religions could reconcile. What once was a small Polish town is now a cultural hub of Cracow with multiple monuments marked as World Heritage Sites.

Amidst all that history, there is Warszauer – a 12-room boutique hotel tucked in between Kazimierz’s old buildings and cobbled streets. A modern yet minimalist building by INDO Architekci who have shown utmost care and respect to make the project an organic part of local landscape.

Once you walk through Warszauer’s elegant black door, you immediately immerse in the world of true design gems. From Marcel Breuer’s Wassily Chairs to iconic Pacha Armchairs from GUBI, from green marble to black oak wood – the sophisticated décor complements the hospitable and private atmosphere of the place. But it is not yet another monumental luxury hotel but rather a calming spot for those who define opulence as time and self-intimacy.

 

Walking down into the dining room, the guests are invited to sit around a long wooden table to rejoice a nourishing breakfast or a drink. All in the company of art books and exquisite artworks from Polish prominent painter & illustrator – Tomasz Opalinski.

Warszauer’s rooms are the ultimate reflection of what wellness is today. Large windows let in a healthy dose of natural light while the guests don’t get distracted by technology with TVs hidden between the curtains. Diptyque cosmetics allow you to feel like at the SPA. And then, there are even more design treasures including the reproductions of Gerrit Rietveld’s 1934 Zig-Zag chair, Ferm Living armchairs, Salak tables and accessories from Frama Copenhagen or Atelier Areti to name a few. The core idea was to make each room feel like a small art gallery – an endeavor the owners have made and succeeded.

There are different definitions of hospitality, but Warszauer seems to bring together its various aspects – design serenity, intimacy, comfort, warmth, the good food. Not only is it a perfect base to discover the rich history of Cracow but also an ideal spot for a weekend getaway when you still want to respond to e-mails yet do it in a setting unlike any other. In the end, the time passes slower when we’re close to ourselves – Warszauer’s atmosphere is just a gentle reminder that this is exactly why we must travel.

 

 

 

Photography by ONI Stories

www.warszauer.com