Conveniently located right in the city centre, Hotel Warszawa occupies a gigantic building on Plac Powstancow Warszawy, exactly opposite the Polish National Bank. Aesthetically unpleasing and architecturally ugly, this high-rise hotel was the first skyscraper in Warsaw. Heavily polluted, its external stonework is one black mass of soot and filth. Untouched by progress, Hotel Warszawa is still a perfectly preserved piece of communist Poland.

Step inside, however, and you will be surprised to find that the hotel's lobby contrasts strongly with the shabby appearance of the exterior stonework. Grand and imposing, it is a clear indication of the hotel's former glorious days when Hotel Warszawa was the only significant place of accomodation in Warsaw. This idea of grandeur and refinement soon disappeared when we approached the reception desk. The monolingual receptionists gave us an icy welcome and it was clear from the start that hospitality, warmth, and personal attention were out of question.

The shaking elevator took us up to the eighth floor where our room was located. Drab, gloomy and unlively, the corridors looked dated, characterless and utterly conservative. Our double room was not much better. The amenities were few and these were shoddy and cheap. Everything looked entrenched in the 1960s. The bathroom, though clean, offered only basic creature comforts and all accessories looked musty and old-fashioned. The intermittent supply of hot water made washing oneself a courageous feat of enduring momentary bouts of freezing liquid. Expect to find coarse toilet paper, cheap shower soap and worn-out towels. The only redeeming factor was the splendid view over Plac Defilad, a lively square dominated by the Palace of Culture and Science.

The breakfast is served in the hotel's restaurant on the ground floor from 8am to 10am. It is an uninspiring, skimpy,, and austere display of food set in a dark and gloomy place that puts you off from the start. The few dishes available lack presentation, the service is outright sullen, and the food is stale and stodgy. Don't expect much more than one cup of tea or coffee, two slices of bread, and a dish with scrambled eggs and bacon.

How on earth Hotel Warszawa managed to get a rating of three stars, we cannot tell. All we can say is that apart from its prime location, there is nothing welcoming or interesting about Hotel Warszawa. You'll probably be better off if you get out of the centre and find a more comfortable place at half the price.