I booked the hotel only a few hours before checking in. The best room category available was a classic junior suite which I chose for my three-night stay. The fully flexible rate, roughly 135 euros per night, was reasonable considering it was a last minute reservation.

Check In

I arrived before noon and had requested early check-in but the room wasn’t ready. A front desk agent checking me in wasn’t the most welcoming. After I gave my Gold card, I was told that my membership number already is in the reservation. No thank you for the loyalty, but ID and credit card was needed to be shown. When I asked about a possible room upgrade I was told as expected that the hotel is fully booked, refurbished junior suites included. ”But I will give you a welcome drink,” she said. I redeemed it for a glass of nice rosé champagne.

Room

I left my luggage at the hotel and headed out. The room was ready when I returned in the afternoon. To my surprise I was given the refurbished junior suite even though the category was supposed to be fully booked. The junior suite consisted of separate living room and bedroom and came with all the basics. Bathroom was on a smaller size and it only had a bathtub instead of a walk-in shower. The bath amenities were from Hermes. A couple of petit fours were brought to room together with a hand-written welcome card.

Dining

My rate included breakfast. The variety was wide enough but quality only average. I liked that there were many local specialities such as herrings and sausages but on the other hand I was expecting more international options as well. They didn’t even have gravlax. Fruits were the basic oranges, bananas and melons. Some more exotic fruits would have been nice. Very few pastries available, keeping in mind it’s a French hotel. Croissants were just bad, dry. In my opinion the breakfast wasn’t up to typical Sofitel level.

I also had dinner one night at the hotel, in La Brasserie Moderne. I opted for a five course tasting menu with wine pairing. It was a disappointment, both food and drinks. For example, delicate veal was ruined by over cooking it and milk creme brulee, in the main course(!), was totally tasteless and weird. But then again it was reasonable priced so no real complaints.

Spa

Very nice and relaxing spa with a proper swimming pool and Finnish sauna.

Overall

I was in a hurry to leave and didn’t need a late check-out so can’t comment on that. I paid quickly and took a taxi to airport. I liked the hotel and would love to go back. Points posted pretty quickly the next day.

The large amount of 5-star hotels in Warsaw means that prices are often quite competitive. Good deals can be made quite easily and thanks to an Accor sales, I was able to bag a three-night stay with breakfast just shy of 200 EUR in the Sofitel Victoria, for a relaxing week-end in the Polish capital. 

Check In

I arrived at 13:00 but my room was ready. As I was demoted to Silver at the beginning of the year, no more upgrade nor welcome gift for me. So I got the key to the King deluxe room I booked as well as a voucher for a drink. 

Room

The room was recently renovated and tastefully decorated. The furniture was brand new and I liked the style. The only negative comment about the room would be again the lack of a proper desk, replaced by a low table which is not as good.

The bed was as comfortable as it can be expected from MyBed. 

The room was facing the square, with a great view of the celebration taking place that week-end. 

The bathroom was perfect size, with a great italian shower. Good control of temperature and pressure. All amenities were provided, including a bathrobe and sleepers. There was also a weight balance, to make sure the hearty polish diet is working. 

Service

Service was overall very good. The ground staff at the lobby was excellent : they were always ensuring that you would not queue, going to you if the concierge or desk staff were busy with someone else. They did their best answering questions about the modifications to the hotel operations during the event (although I wished they warned us that Secret Services would roam in the corridor of all floors all day long).

The downturn service was more variable. The first evening I got the full monty: lights, bed preparation, water, herbal tea, breeze sent. The other evenings there was a bit less. Note that there is an extensive sleep menu: pillows, drinks, bath preparation. 

The breakfast service was also good and no complain there. I was a bit disapointed with the buffet though. Some options were lacking (more fruits for example). Nothing really bad but it did not had the wow factor I expected. 

Location

The location is close to the Old Town, in sight of the Raffles hotel and a block from the Royal Road. It is perfect for this part of town but also handy for the business district. There is a bus stop 150 meters away, where line 175 passes (airport line).

Gym

Disapointing gym in the basement, with just the bare necessities. The swimming pool on the over hand is of the good size to do some lengths. There is a spa with well priced massage for a Sofitel.