Hotel Podewils

Hotel Podewils is a five-star palace-style hotel at ul. Szafarnia 2 on the Motława embankment of Granary Island, Gdańsk, in Poland's Pomeranian region. The building is a restored baroque-style townhouse set directly on the river, and its façade is among the more photographed views from the Old Town side, with the Crane and the Main Town skyline across the water. The Long Market and Mariacka Street are a short walk away over the river crossings, and Gdańsk Główny railway station is a brief taxi or tram ride. The hotel's character is that of a historic, intimate property rather than a large chain: public areas are formal, and the number of rooms is modest compared with the big waterfront hotels. Rooms are listed as Double Rooms, Superior Rooms and Suites, and the suites and river-facing categories are the most sought after. The price bracket is the highest in this guide ($$$$). A restaurant and a terrace are listed among the amenities, and the terrace overlooking the water is a draw in warm months for breakfast, coffee or dinner. Wifi is available. A spa or pool is not listed, so the appeal here lies in the setting, the architecture and the personal scale of the service. The service character is that of a boutique luxury hotel, where reception staff can arrange transfers, restaurant bookings and tours of Gdańsk, Sopot and Gdynia. The embankment outside is calm in the evening, and visitors who like to walk can follow the river to the Crane and the Old Town gates. Travellers by car should ask the hotel about parking, since the surrounding area has limited public spaces. The hotel suits couples, travellers marking a special occasion and visitors who value historic architecture and a riverside terrace over extensive leisure facilities.