The Pod Orłem has been putting people to bed since 1896, and this venerable institution has a guestbook to match the history: all the Polish greats have stayed here, from Piłsudski to Rubinstein, and you almost expect to bump into them as you pad down the opulent corridors. Though the front door claims otherwise this place is nothing to do with the Orbis chain (at least not anymore), and even though it now faces stiff competition for the title of ‘best hotel’, it’s still very much worth checking into. Touting a turn-of-the-century ambience this place is all parlour plants, bow-tied flunkeys and classic touches, and the sumptuous rooms contain all the mod-cons while maintaining an eye on the past.