A legend says that two children called Wars and Sawa emerged from the Vistula River, fell in love and came together to create Warszawa. Once I was in the Polish capital, I headed to one of the most icon places to dine – The Amber Room Restaurant, which has a well-earned site in the Michelin Guide. The charm and character is wonderful but especially good in summer when the outdoor setting allows for an enjoyable and unforgettable culinary experience. It is a place with an elegant atmosphere and an exquisite menu, where you will find delightful Polish Cuisine, combined with the latest international gastronomic trends.
Very nearby, there are the most famous buildings in Warsaw. A ten minute walk from the restaurant, there is the Palace of Culture and Science – the tallest building in the city and visible from anyplace in the city – with a great and impressive architecture and gorgeous views of the different parts of Warsaw. The building was originally conceived by Joseph Stalin as a “gift from the Soviet people to the Polish nation”, and was finished in 1955 after 3 years of construction. It is architecturally inspired by social realism with Polish history and inspired by American art deco skyscrapers. While this building is interesting for its statement or grandeur, it’s the rest of Warsaw that is so striking. The city was completely flattened during the World War II uprising in 1944. The city rebuilt the old town with remarkable restoration, details and an incredible sense of national pride and self-worth. When understand how this city recreated its history and culture, the symbolism of the Palace of Culture and Science seems pale by comparison.
Among the options that I had to stay, I decided to stay in the beautiful Bristol Hotel; a building over 100 years old, completely renovated and located near the historical centre of the city and the Presidential Palace. The classic style decor, using grey colours, with high ceilings and Art Deco influence, makes the hotel an icon of taste and elegance befitting a capital city that can boast the same. The hotel has more than 150 rooms and more than 30 suites, which are characterized by elegant, cosy and beautiful views of Warsaw and its charming courtyard. Their marble bathrooms are spacious and have Waterl’eau GD bath amenities. Among its facilities you can enjoy the heated pool, the gym, the sauna and the massage room. And to give a treat to your palate, you have to visit its exclusive Café Bristol, with a fine selection of delicious desserts and coffees; the Marconi Restaurant, where you can enjoy some of the most famous dishes of Polish cuisine; the Column Bar with variety of cocktails; or Bristol Wine Bar, where you can enjoy the best wines in the world.
One of the most pleasing things about Warsaw, and Poland in general, is the wonderful weather they have from the spring through summer. With such blissful weather, Warsaw is the perfect size and landscape to see most sites on foot. Within the city – Łazienki Park, which is literally “Baths Park” or “Royal Baths” in Polish, occupies 76 hectares right in the city centre. For hundreds of years people have enjoyed this space with the royal palaces dating back to the 17th century that were originally bathing house, inspiring the name. Whether the baroque Palace on the Water, the Roman Theatre, the White House, the Old Orangery or the Myślewicki Palace, you can image the nobility of Warsaw enjoying their leisure time and shaping the wonderful rich culture and heritage that was to be their legacy.
By Mr. Jones
