Warsaw’s superNova

CROWNE PLAZA WARSAW – THE HUB I PROFILE

Based in Warsaw’s business district, Crowne Plaza Warsaw – The HUB is taking the Polish capital by storm. Offering opulent decor, local delicacies and a rooftop bar, it’s no wonder that this hotel-restaurant has a cabinet of awards. Laura Watling spoke to Magdalena Smigasiewicz, Marketing and Administration Director, to find out more about the hotel’s quick rise to success.

Directly employing 100 people, Crowne Plaza Warsaw – The HUB is one of the newest hotels to join IHG Hotels & Resorts, and the first Crowne Plaza branded hotel in Poland. IHG Hotels & Resorts has over 6,000 hotels in more than 100 countries. There are a further 1,800 hotels in its development pipeline.

Opened in November 2020, Crowne Plaza Warsaw – The HUB boasts over 200 rooms, a fitness centre, along with a host of dining options – the Signature Bar, The Roof, and in November 2021 opened Nova Wola restaurant. Situated in Warsaw’s newly emerging business district, the hotel has plenty to offer both business travellers and tourists.

“Crowne Plaza is based in one of the most dynamically developing areas in the centre of Warsaw,” shared Marketing and Administration Director Magdalena Smigasiewicz.

The Crowne Plaza’s location has plenty to offer visitors; from the popular Warsaw Rising Museum to the Warsaw Breweries (Browary Warszawskie), both just short walks away. Conveniently, the hotel also offers easy access to the Warsaw Chopin Airport and Rondo Daszynskiego underground station.

Meeting modern demands

Crowne Plaza Warsaw – The HUB has ensured it has something to offer the modern day market:

“Meeting the demands of today’s market means offering a space which enables our guests to retain a good work/life balance,” explained Ms Smigasiewicz. “Our visitors are looking for inspired, flexible spaces where they can relax and work.”

The venue recognises the modern day importance of accountability, too.

“We offer guests products sourced locally, which adds the personalised touch, as well as giving a taste of the region”, said Ms Smigasiewicz. “Our guests want an extraordinary atmosphere, high quality service, but at an affordable price. We offer just that.”

A venue for all

There are several dining options for guests of the Crowne Plaza Warsaw – The HUB. The Signature Bar offers all-day dining, situated in the lobby of the hotel. The menu focuses on sustainably and locally sourced produce, including healthy hits such as Shakshouka with spinach and pita, avocado toast with kale tapenade and shrimp bowls with Israeli couscous.

“The Signature Bar features floor to ceiling windows overlooking the city, offering an abundance of light for day time dining,” explained Ms Smigasiewicz.

Head from the lobby to the 21st floor and guests will find the Crowne Plaza’s The Roof Sky Bar, with panoramic views of the city. “Hosted by our world-class bartenders, the Roof Sky bar is an excellent place for drinks with friends or impressing corporate guests,” said Ms Smigasiewicz.

CROWNE PLAZA WARSAW – THE HUB I PROFILE

Rest your head and fill your stomach

The latest dining experience to be launched at the hotel is the Nova Wola restaurant. Opened in November 2021, Nova Wola offers a modern take on traditional Polish food.

The local touch

Heading up the dining offering is Crowne Plaza Warsaw – The HUB’s executive chef Pawel Suchenek, who brings with him 20 years of experience working in luxury hotels around the world.

“Pawel has created a passionate, talented team,” said Ms Smigasiewicz. “Part of our success over the last year has to be credited to our skilled team.”

The menu curated by Pawel Suchenek focuses on simplicity, combining high quality ingredients sourced from local suppliers with ingredients foraged locally in the wild. At Nova Wola, sharing plates are to take centre stage, with handcrafted meats and cheeses and organic eggs proudly sourced from award-winning Polish producers.

“We love to showcase the very best of Polish cuisine, especially to our international guests,” shared Ms Smigasiewicz, “we also want to share our local stories. Supporting local producers is one of our main goals, along with respect for the environment.”

As such, guests of the Crowne Warsaw –The HUB’s restaurant can indulge in traditional Podlasie Koryciński cheese and Chleb Kazdy Inny, a unique bread made from a 15year aged sourdough.

“Chleb Kaz .dy Inny translates to “each piece of the bread is different,” Ms Smigasiewicz explained, “as the producer emphasises, the indispensable ingredients of baking are ecological ingredients; passion and heart!”

Timeless elegance

When visiting the Crowne Plaza Warsaw –The HUB, guests will be surprised and delighted by the opulent decor. The interior design of the hotel-restaurant was entrusted to local design studio Tremend, based in Warsaw.

Throughout the interior, respect is paid to nature by the conscious choice of materials used, such as green plant walls, wood and stone panels, and a recurring river motif.

“We wanted the look of the hotel to symbolise life, energy and changeability, as well as the power and strength of eternity,” shared Marketing Director, Ms Smigasiewicz.

From dark wood and gold furnishings in Nova Wola to white marble and green velvet found in the Signature Bar, the hotel offers guests a stylish and elevated venue to meet and relax.

“The Roof Sky Bar is versatile and takes on a completely different character at night,” said Ms Smigasiewicz, “inspired by art deco and complemented by modern solutions, the panoramic rooftop bar has timeless elegance”.

Trophy cabinet

Having only launched in the final few weeks of 2020, the Crowne Plaza Warsaw – The HUB already has a healthy list of awards.

Unsurprisingly, thanks to the hard work of both IHG Hotels & Resorts and Tremend, the hotel has been praised for its interior style, picking up awards including: Winner of the Hotel Interior Poland category at the European Property Awards; Winner at The International Hotel and Property Awards 2021 (category: hotels over 200 rooms, Europe) organised by Design Et Al Magazine; and also picking up an accolade at Hospitality Design Magazine’s HD Awards.

“Amongst our wins, we’re proud to have also received Gold in the A Design award and Platinum at the Muse Design award for Interior, under the Hotels and Resorts category,” stated Ms Smigasiewicz. “We must credit the wins to not only the design studio and our IHG management, but all those who work for the Crowne Plaza Warsaw – The HUB. Without their hard work and diligence, our hotel wouldn’t be quite so decadent.”

With travel around the world reopening, inter-European travel is back on the cards. Soak up everything Warsaw has to offer whilst enjoying world-class local food and relaxing in decadence. To do so, rest your head and fill your stomach at the Crowne Plaza Warsaw –The HUB. n