Poland is a country that has been on my travel list for a long time. As 2018 came to a close, I knew I wanted to travel to more new countries while being back in Europe for the holidays. A quick Google search later and I booked a flight from Bournemouth (near my Mom’s house in Dorset, England) to Krakow.
I didn’t know much about the city but I was excited to travel to a new wintertime destination. After a quick bit of research I found perfect place to stay in Krakow called Kanonicza 22, and in this review I’m excited to share why this hotel was one of my favorite travel experiences to date!
OLD TOWN KRAKOW
When visiting Krakow, one of the must do activities is to see the famous Wawel Castle. Fortunately, the castle is literally across the street from the Kanonicza 22 hotel! Located in the heart of Old Town Krakow on famous Kanonicza street, Kanonicza 22 is in a perfect location for basing your Krakow adventures. Kanonicza is known as the oldest street in Krakow, with the Kanonicza 22 hotel located towards the castle side of the road.
The Kanonicza street is everything you imagine before visiting Poland. Wide cobblestone roads with old architecture and hidden gems of restaurants and shops line the pedestrian friendly walkway. Not only is the Kanonicza 22 a very short walk from the Wawel Castle, but it is also a convenient 10-minute stroll to the main Old Town Square. The Square is where you find several other must-visit sites, including St. Mary’s Basilica and ‘The Cloth Hall”, a wonderful market hall dating back to the 13th century!
UNIQUELY STYLED APARTMENT SUITES
After spending the day walking the streets of Krakow, you’ll be ready to get some rest and relaxation at the Kanonicza 22 hotel. The hotel has 3 exclusive suites, one on each floor and each with its own distinct style. There is the “Royal Suite,” located on the first floor and has an old-world luxury feel, with 17th-century ceilings, original hand made Persian carpets, and beautiful boutique furniture.
Above that on the second floor is the “Prince Suite,” which has more of an Eastern decorative style with turquoise blues and gorgeous tapestries. Finally, the top floor is the “Emperor Suite,” which has a bright and modern feeling, complete with every amenity including a rooftop hot tub overlooking the Wawel Castle!
THE EMPEROR SUITE
During my stay I was lucky enough to stay in the aforementioned Emperor Suite. It is no exaggeration to say this was one of the most luxurious and comfortable rooms I’ve ever stayed in! Each day we returned to our room felt like coming home to our own (incredibly well furnished) apartment.
While many luxury hotel rooms can feel generic, the Kanonicza 22 felt incredibly unique and cozy. In fact, one of our favorite activities while staying in the room was to imagine designing our future apartment in California in a similar style as the room!
QUALITY AMENITIES
The room had every amenity you could ask for, and the attention to detail was astounding. There was a small electric fireplace in the entryway, complete with orange lights, crackling sounds, and even a thin mist that emulated smoke when turned on. There is also a set of stairs leading to the private roof terrace complete with a hot tub, though we were unfortunately snowed in so we couldn’t use it on this occasion.
Multiple large screen televisions, one for the living room and one for the bedroom, meant we could relax on the couches or in the bed with our favorite show after a long day of sightseeing. The bathroom was very bright with skylights, and even had its own row of orchids growing in the back next to the large bathtub. Sufficient to say that the room was so comfortable that we had a hard time leaving!
FINE DINING AT POD NOSEM
The other great part of staying at Kanonicza 22 is their Michelin Rated ‘Pod Nosem’ restaurant. Located on the first floor, Pod Nosem is renowned as one of the best restaurants in Krakow, and I would strongly agree! Breakfast is served each day in the restaurant, complete with western and Polish style options, and they are open for lunch and dinner as well.
For dinner, Pod Nosem serves traditional Polish food with a modern twist, and every dish we had was exquisite. The chef organized a tasting menu during our stay, which included the beef tartar, Polish cheese plate, lamb chump with cauliflower and black rice, and the Mangalica pork cheek. Each dish was beautifully prepared, and I especially enjoyed the lamb with a glass of the recommended Hungarian Barbar red wine.
One tip is ask to see the downstairs wine cellar area, which makes you feel like royalty as you walk through the exposed brick and spiral staircase to view the impressive assortment of wines. It’s rare to eat in a Michelin Star restaurant, especially one as beautiful as Pod Nosem, so I highly recommend paying them a visit in Krakow!
A STAY FIT FOR A KING
It goes without saying that I thoroughly enjoyed my entire stay at Kanonicza 22. The room was one of the most comfortable I’ve ever stayed in, and I was tempted to curl up on the couch for most of my stay with a good book watching the light snowfall over the nearby castle.
The location is perfect, walkable to some of the best sites in Krakow, and the on-site restaurant Pod Nosem is absolutely superb. I can highly recommend Kanonicza 22 next time you are in Krakow and looking for a once in a lifetime stay!
We hope that this article has inspired you to visit Krakow and to stay at Kanonicza 22. If you have any questions about the destination or have your own travel tips to share please leave these in the comments below.
Want to share your own travel tips by guest writing for We Are Travel Girls? Go to our Contribute page for guidelines and to submit your article.
Book Your Stay In Krakow
Read More About Poland
- A Guide To Visiting Historical Warsaw, Poland
- 7 Reasons To Visit Szczecin, Poland
- Visiting The Sand Dunes In Poland
We Are Travel Girls Founder Becky van Dijk of BeckyvanDijk.com
Connect with Becky Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | YouTube
Pin For Later
This website may use affiliate links in our articles. Please see our Disclosures for more information.
Kanonicza 22 says
Thank you very much! :)