Vanilla Aparthotel 🏙️ Krakow apartment stay
Ruczaj district apartments with a bar and free parking 🍸
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The setting
The Vanilla aparthotel is in the Łucze district of Krakow, about 5 km from the Old Town. Since it’s set apart from the tourist hustle and bustle, it offers a peaceful and cozy atmosphere. Buses and trams bound for the city centre depart from nearby stops, and the surrounding streets invite guests to take a leisurely stroll. After a day exploring the city, guests can return to their quiet, cozy retreat, where a bar, restaurant, and library are at their disposal.
What to expect
The apartment-style rooms are on the top floor of the bar and restaurant, which serves local cuisine. A library is also available for guests seeking some privacy. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel, and free parking is provided on-site for guests arriving by car. For families, there is a game room and a children’s playground, and with a water park and tennis courts on the premises, you can enjoy your time here between excursions around central Krakow.
Things to do nearby
Kosciuszko Mound is just a few minutes’ drive from the aparthotel, and its summit offers a magnificent view of the city. The Manga The Manggha Museum of Japanese Art and Technology is on the riverbank on the way to the city centre, and the statue of the fire-breathing dragon Smok of Wawel at the foot of Wawel Hill is a place you’ll enjoy visiting after arriving in the Old Town.
Best for
This accommodation is an excellent choice for families and couples looking to enjoy a peaceful stay in an apartment, for drivers who need free parking, as well as for travellers who prefer to stay in the quiet neighbourhood of Lucai—even if it’s not quite in the centre—but appreciate the on-site water park and tennis courts.
How to get to the hotel
John Paul II Krakow-Balice Airport is about a 20-minute drive from the aparthotel; you can arrange a shuttle service when making your reservation. The Kraków Główny Railway Station is the main station, where trains from Warsaw and other cities arrive; from there, you can quickly reach Ruczaj by taxi or tram. Guests arriving by car can use the free parking spaces on the property.
Choose your room
✓ Your selection- Free Internet
- Parking
- Water park
- Tennis court
- Library
- Hiking
Property, in pictures
Latest reviews
Good location and hotel but not perfect
Nice modern hotel. If recently refurbished they didn't put in USB power sockets, which is a shame. Power is cut to the room when you leave it so no chance of charging up… Read full review on ZenHotels →
Great place to stay, delicious breakfasts
Really great place to stay. The room was fully equipped (very comfy bed, big wordrobes, nice bathroom, small kitchen with an oven, kettle and microwave). The stuff was… Read full review on ZenHotels →
Great value, great staff
Wow what can I say about this hotel, the rooms are amazing loved the view from mine, very clean and spacious. There is a little shop just on the ground floor! But the… Read full review on ZenHotels →
Your 4 days, loosely planned
Suggestions, not orders. Tour ideas to mix and match for your trip.
Arrival and Ruczaj evening
Upon arrival at Krakow-Balice, you can either pick up your rental car or take a shuttle to Lucze to check into your holiday apartment. Take a walk around the area to get your bearings, and then head down to the bar on the premises to enjoy your first drink. For dinner, sample a few local dishes at the on-site restaurant without having to go far. Since you’ll be getting up early tomorrow, pick up a book from the library to round out the evening.
Old town and Wawel Hill
Take a bus or tram to the centre of Krakow and spend the morning strolling through Market Square and the surrounding streets. Climb Wawel Hill, explore the castle ruins, and take a look at the statue of the “Wawel Dragon” on the riverbank. The dragon breathes fire every hour. After lunch at one of the cafes in Kazimierz, consider taking a stroll through the former Jewish quarter, and then returning to your hotel to enjoy a quiet evening.
Kosciuszko Mound and Manggha
Take a short detour and stop by Kosciuszko Mound; climb to the top and enjoy the view of the city of Krakow. A sunny September morning is the perfect time for this. On your way back to the city, it’s worth stopping on the banks of the Vistula River near the Manga Museum—a museum of Japanese art and technology—to admire the ceramics and woodblock prints. Once you return to the aparthotel, you can spend the rest of the afternoon before dinner at the water park or play a game on the tennis court.
Slow morning and departure
Let’s spend your last morning in Lucai in a relaxed atmosphere. Have some coffee at the aparthotel, take a stroll around the neighbourhood, and while you’re packing your bags, the kids can play in the game room or on the playground. If your flight leaves later, take the tram back to the Old Town, enjoy one last stroll, and pick up a few more souvenirs before returning to the hotel to pick up your luggage and head to the airport.
Where you'll be
Krakow, Poland
FAQ
Is 4 days in Krakow too much?
A four-day stay in Krakow isn’t too long—it’s just right. In two days, you can take your time exploring the Old Town, Wawel Hill, and the Kazimierz district. The remaining two days give you plenty of time to visit Kosciuszko Mound’s grave and the manga museum, or to spend a quiet morning in the area around the aparthotel, taking your time and not rushing from one attraction to the next.
What are the main dos and don'ts in Krakow?
Learn a few greetings in Polish, bring some cash to spend at small cafes, and don’t forget to validate your ticket when boarding the tram. Please do not speak too loudly near monuments. If a service charge is already included in the bill, please do not leave an additional tip. Also, do not attempt to drive into the Old Town. Park your car in the aparthotel’s free parking lot and take the tram or bus.
What month is the cheapest to go to Krakow?
Since the influx of visitors to Christmas markets decreases in January and February, and the city’s spring tourist season hasn’t started yet, these months are generally the most cost-effective time to visit Krakow. Although airfare and hotel rates are lower, it’s very cold and the days are shorter. September brings relatively mild weather and excellent value for money, even compared to the summer high season.
Which is nicer to visit, Warsaw or Krakow?
For a short stay, many travellers will likely find Krakow the a more appealing city. The medieval Old Town, Wawel Hill, and Kazimierz are all concentrated in a small area and are easy to explore on foot. Warsaw, on the other hand, is larger and more modern; although it has many museums and a restored Old Town, it is better suited as a second destination rather than for a first visit.
Which is the prettiest city in Poland?
Krakow is widely known as Poland’s most beautiful city—thanks to its well-preserved Old Town, Market Square, Wawel Castle overlooking the Vistula River, and the charming streets of Kazimierz. If you have the opportunity to take a longer trip, Gdansk on the Baltic Sea coast and Wroclaw, known for its bridges and gnome statues, are also well worth visiting.
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