Described in the first issue of Krakow In Your Pocket back in 1999 as ‘a legacy of the era of Soviet hospitality,’ you’ll understand why when you see it. Essentially looking like a cinder block set on top of some Lincoln Logs, construction on this concrete beauty began in 1978 and despite the ribbon cutting not taking place until 11 years later, it was still considered one of the most futuristic buildings in Kraków at the time. Awarded four stars, the hotel featured perks unknown in 1980s Krakow: air-conditioned rooms, an outdoor electronic clock with temperature displays, swimming pool, mini golf and casino. Having passed from the Orbis brand to the Sofitel in 2001 the hotel was closed at the end of 2002, apparently because of a construction fault that led to frequent flooding of the basements. Today the riverside building is owned by the Wawel-Imos group, and mostly vacant with trees growing out of the balconies. Though its long-term future is uncertain, nonetheless, it presently makes a handsome living as Poland’s longest billboard, while lending its former reception area and ground floor to the trendy Forum Przestrzenie restaurant and beer garden, the Hala Forum indoor food hall, and the Termy Krakowskie Forum sauna complex, while its parking lot is occupied by a go-cart track. To be perfectly fair, this venue is as essential to the city's culture now as it's ever been, if not more so, and absolutely worth checking out during the warm months as the city's best riverside hangout spot.