Detailed review by koshkha
koshkha
Northampton, United Kingdom96%
I first started visiting Bydgoszcz in 1993, going at least four times a year to visit a customer who was based in the city over the next 8 years or so. In the early days there were very few international standard hotels and the customer had a deal with the City Hotel which enabled me to get a good price and be confident of a decent standard of accommodation and safety. It was always said that the customer had in fact worked closely with the hotel to ensure it was up to the standard of their employees and visitors. Looking at the database now, it's easy to see that the accommodation options have boomed in recent years but I'd still suggest that the City Hotel is well worth considering.
The location is quite central which was important because with only a couple of trains in and out each day, I often had a lot of time to kill before my train left. I really enjoyed being able to walk round the city centre shops which were only a short walk from the hotel.
The hotel rooms were of good size but fairly simply decorated and everything was new and most importantly, everything worked. Most came with desks and seating area as well as a comfortable bed, a television with international channels. Room temperatures were always good which is important in the middle of winter when the city gets really cold.
I often ate in the hotel restaurant because I was pretty clueless about eating out in Polish and when I first went there the options were very limited. I recall one bizarre night out with a customer at a Polish Chinese restaurant that served the weirdest food. Whilst the hotel restaurant was expensive by local standards, it was still very good value. Breakfasts were extensive and I usually made the effort to go down but unlike some of the locals I never gave in to the temptation of cold iced vodka at breakfast time. At that time there was an English/Irish style pub in the basement of the hotel but I think it's now gone and been replaced with something a little more sophisticated.
Hotel facilities were extensive and included lots of meeting rooms, a small shop and even a hairdresser/beauticians. The reception was large and comfortable and unlike many of the Warsaw hotels at that time, it wasn't permanently full of prostitutes. That might sound silly but it does make you feel more comfortable as a woman traveler if you aren't outnumbered by tarts. The gym was well equipped and facilities included a sauna and Jacuzzi though I have to say I preferred to just go out and walk around.
I have no reason to go to Bydgoszcz any more but I retain a lot of affection for the place and if I did ever go back, I'd definitely consider the City Hotel again.
City8
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