WHERE TO STAY WHILE IN KATOWICE, POLAND |

I stayed at the Mercure Katowice Centrum, a gorgeous 4-star hotel located right across from the main train station. It’s the ultimate strategic hub for exploring the region and getting to the airport in just over half an hour. What really sets this hotel apart is its eco-friendly, sustainable mindset—it’s actively driving Katowice’s green transformation toward a “Green and Clean” future. They use green tech wherever possible, and you literally can’t miss their stunning living facade, which is the largest green wall in the entire city!

I was absolutely blown away by the massive mural in the lobby—a stunning tribute to the iconic “Spodek” arena created by local street artist Mona Tusz, who also designed the custom graphics in the rooms.

You can really feel the local history woven into the interior design. Little details, like the lighting and the sliding wooden tables, are actually modeled after traditional coal-mining gear. It’s a super cool touch!

At the same time, the rooms are a masterclass in eco-design, featuring custom furniture made from recycled materials and pre-fab elements. Plus, they don’t skimp on comfort: expect generous space, cloud-like mattresses, Nespresso machines, and literally everything you need for the perfect stay.

And don’t even get me started on the welcome gifts—such a sweet touch! To top it all off, the mirror was customized just for a souvenir selfie. Another cool perk: every floor has a free water dispenser for both still and sparkling water. All you have to do is refill the bottle you find in your room…..Talk about the ultimate welcome!

Oh, and I almost forgot… what about breakfast? Award-winning material, honestly! We’re talking local cold cuts and cheeses, regional delicacies like pâtés and jellied meats, an endless variety of vegetarian options, eggs cooked every which way, fresh fruit, a selection of amazing Polish breads, pastries, you name it…

WHERE TO EAT

After a packed day of sightseeing, I opted for a cozy dinner right at the hotel’s restaurant, Winestoneand it was a total win. The menu is beautifully curated and international, but with some clever nods to traditional Polish cuisine. Everything is crafted by Chef Seweryn Pall, who whipped up a classic żurek for me: a rich sour rye soup loaded with white sausage, potatoes, egg, and a touch of bacon dust.

“Soup is an absolute must on our tables,” Seweryn tells me. “Among the most traditional ones, żurek is my mom’s signature dish… and then there’s wodzionka. Born out of peasant cuisine to avoid food waste, it’s made with cubed stale bread—usually white or rye—with hot broth poured straight over it to soften it up. It’s seasoned with crushed garlic, bay leaves, black pepper, and salt, and often enriched with lard, sausage, smoked bacon, or melted butter. It has a wonderfully rustic flavor, making it the ultimate comfort food to warm you up on cold days.”

Next up was the menu’s main attraction: the Silesian rolled beef—an incredibly tender beef roulade stuffed with red cabbage and paired with the iconic Silesian potato dumplings. “This is the star of Sunday lunch,” Seweryn shares with me. “It’s a sacred family tradition in every single home across Katowice.”