Thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Hotel Alexander. Location is always paramount when I decide which hotel to stay in and this one couldnt have been better. The hotel is located down a quiet street - with a post office, early-morning bakery and corner shop nearby - just 5 minutes walk from the busy Main Square of Krakow. The Main Square, or Rynek Glowny to the locals, really is where it's at in Krakow - outdoor bars and restaurants are all over the place, the imposing Cloth Hall houses dozens of stalls selling souveniers and lots and lots of amber, and many of the beautiful old town houses surrounding the square host intimate nightly concerts of Chopin and Mozart music. So for the hotel tobe within a short walking distance of this bustlign hub was a real bonus. The hotel itself was very clean and looked recently built or refurbished. Certainly our double room was spotless and the bathroom - apart from the awkward 'open' shower - was lovely. The staff were friendly and most spoke English, and the breakfast was a good mix of cold meats, cheeses, breads, kabanos (hot Polish sausage) and boiled/scrambled eggs. As I sais it's really the location, as well as the price, which sells this hotel. Though Krakow itself is a relatively small city and all the major attraction like Wawel Castle and the Jewish District can be reached on foot, it was handy having the hotel so close by to the Main Square, especially as that is where most of the good restaurants and bars are, so it was only a short stagger home of an evening. As for the city itself, I would recommend visiting one of the four Chlopskie Jadlo restaurants which serve traditional Polish soups and meat dishes at a very reasonable price in lovely surroundings. The nearest one to the Sqaure is at ul Jana 3. Also the Tram Bar on Ul Stolarksa serves cheap cocktails! If you're planning a day out to Auschwitz-Birkenau or the Salt Mines, or if you want tickets to the theatre or opera, then there are loads of Information offices on Florianska - again just off the Main Square - which sell tickets. Salt Mines and Auschwitz tours are arround 110z p/p (?25-30), however a return train ticket to Oswiciem (Auschwitz) is just 22z (?5) so if you dont mind doing your own thing and touring the camps without a guide then you can save a bit of money here. For the Salt Mines a guide is mandatory. And one last point, pretty obvious I know, but even if you dont speak Polish it's a good idea to try at least the basics. It's amazing how people open up and treat you better when you say 'please' or 'thank you' or '2 bloody marys' in their native tongue. Same as everywhere, I'm sure.

Three of us stayed at this hotel 1st to 6th may 2008 room 42 Hotel and rooms very clean Triple rooms are 2 singles and a sofa bed -- very cramped but ok if used as a double Staff very helpfull for city details etc Breakfast not very good no toaster and ran out of all food items at some point but if we asked for anything it was replaced--eventually all in all good value for money

Just spent a 4-day visit to Kracow and stayed in the Alexander on Garbarska Street. It's in a perfect location, in a quiet street just off the main city centre and 5-minutes from the main square. Receptionists spoke good english so no problems. Our rooms (59 and 60) were in a property next door to the hotel - when we were first shown to the rooms my hear sank, however the room was clean, warm and fresh with a small balcony to the rear of the property. The beds were comfortable and the linen etc. all clean and of good quality. The bathroom was a modern suite with a shower cubicle which was excellent. It's not all good news though - see later... Breakfast was a continental affair, with scrambled egg and german-style sausage the only hot items. There was always the same selection each day. Problems we encountered: - Room 60 was full of stale smoke. Ask for a non-smoking room if you can. - Rooms 59 and 60 are below 2 residential flats, so there is noise from 6am every morning. It drove us batty... - Breakfast is not refreshed. There was one tray of egg, and by 8.15am it was finished - the hotel never replaced it and people went without, so get up early. - Sauna - they advertise one, but don't have it ! - poor... Overall though, a nice hotel in a great location that I'd certainly recommend.

This is a lovely hotel in a great location. Just round the corner from a bustling street with Friends coffee and other cafes there. The food in Friends coffee is also very good and reasonable. A 5minute walk from this street leads straight to the old town square from where everything of interest is within walking distance. The rooms are relatively spacious, though without tea and coffee making facilities. Breakfast was very good with lots of choice, usual fare but better quality. All in all the food everywhere was very good, prices were very reasonable. I'd definately stay here again when I definately visit Krakow again!