Category: Travels

DoubleTree by Hilton Lodz Hotel, 29 Łąkowa Street –an exceptional place for Polish cinematography. It’s the birthplace of the famous Polish film producing company-Łódź Feature Film Studios. Will we find any links to the movie tradition of the place, in the Hotel? The hotel’s facade The hotel’s facade, is the first expression we get seeing the Double Tree by Hilton Lodz Hotel, suggests it’s not an ordinary hotel. The facade is worth taking a closer look at. It’s decorated with a still from the Polish first postwar, feature length film “Forbidden songs” (Zakazane Piosenki). We can also find this frame inside on the window display of Four Colors Restaurant. The facade is mostly striking at night when it becomes alive with all rainbow colors. It’s enough to glance at the pictures of the hotel by night to prove it. Due to two rectangular openings in the elevation, which are illuminated at night, the whole block of the building gains in lightness and modernity. DoubleTree By Hilton Lodz- outside view DoubleTree By Hilton Lodz- facade at night LOCATION Double Tree by Hilton, Lodz is located just near The Atlas Arena in Lodz. A well known Piotrowska Street is within 15 minutes walking distance. The hotel offers large above-ground and underground car parks, which are free for the hotel’s Deluxe and apartment category customers. The cost for all others is 50 PLN per day. The hotel also provides airport transfers in price of 25 PLN. Check-In Check-in was fast and effective. A very nice receptionist Magda welcomed me with a warm smile and additionally treated with a hot, nut and top quality chocolate cookie, so characteristic of Double Tree hotels. Next she informed me about the hotel facilities (localization and opening hours of Spa, fitness, restaurant, bar). In the end I was

The SO/ Vienna impressed me only after looking at its photos on the Internet, especially those of a panoramic view taken from the18th floor Das LOFT restaurant. Has the hotel come up to my expectations? Read my review to find it out. SO/ VIENNA- hotel entrance SO/ VIENNA- outside view THE WORLD OF JEAN NOUVEL The building, the construction of which took five years, was erected in 2010. It was designed by the world-wide known French architect Jean Nouvel, a laureate of Pritzker Prize and an architect of such buildings as Torre Agbar in Barcelona and The Louvre of Abu Dhabi. The multidimensional block consists of different texture walls forming a light, modern building on a relatively small area. Originally Nouvel’s concept involved the use of only three colours: white, grey and black. In contrast to these colours stand out the works of the Swiss artist – Pipilotti Rist, which can be seen on the ceilings – over the entrance, in the internal lobby with terraces and in the restaurant on the top floor. They are compositions of computer printout and computer generated, digitally sequenced animations changing in real time on a ring-shaped screens mounted on the ceilings. I must admit that all the compositions make a lasting impression and the photographs do not even come close to capturing the brilliance of these images. Rebranding process After the process of rebranding the hotel opened again in September 2018 as SO/ Vienna, which is a Sofitel sub-mark. The interior changes introduced by Eichinger Offices Partnership include the design of the reception desk as well as the decoration of the new Café BAR/terre by the entrance to the hotel. Additionally, some coloristic accents have been added in  the hotel rooms (the walls, the inside of wardrobes, lamps and sofas). Personally, I am