Ottaviano Hotel Swinoujscie: Your Dream Polish Getaway Awaits!
Ottaviano Hotel Swinoujscie: My Polish Getaway…and Honestly, I'm Still Dreaming!
Okay, so let's cut the crap. I just got back from Ottaviano Hotel in Swinoujscie, Poland, and I'm already scouring Skyscanner for the next flight. This place…it's a vibe. Let's be clear: I’m not a professional hotel reviewer. I am, however, a lover of good food, a hater of boring hotels, and a sucker for a good spa. So, here’s the low-down, warts and all (and believe me, there were a few, but they were minor).
First Impressions (and That All-Important First Breath of Fresh Air)
Swinoujscie itself? Stunning. I mean, the Baltic Sea is right there, practically begging you to take a stroll. And the Ottaviano? It’s got that sleek, modern look, but with a warm, welcoming… Polish…ness? That’s right! You know what I mean. Check-in was a breeze (Contactless check-in/out – love it!). The doorman was super helpful, the front desk [24-hour] was always on point, and there's an elevator so no lugging suitcases up endless flights of stairs. Score! Parking? They have a car park [free of charge]! And also a car park [on-site] and EVEN a car power charging station! Fancy, right?
Accessibility: Making It Easy For Everyone (Almost…ish)
Okay, here’s where I need to be honest. I didn't specifically test out the Facilities for disabled guests, but the hotel seemed pretty well set up. I noticed an elevator, which is a HUGE win. The website claims wheelchair accessible, which is good to know. I’d recommend calling ahead to confirm specific room accessibility if that's a deal breaker, but overall, it's got a good foundation. Now, the real test… the Polish cobblestones outside!
Rooms: My Little Oasis (With a Few Quirks)
My room? Gorgeous. Seriously. Air conditioning? Check. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Double check! Air conditioning in public area. Triple Check! A desk I could actually work at (I was pretending, of course). And the bed? The bed was like sleeping on a cloud. Extra long bed - YES! They even had bathrobes and slippers – luxury, baby! They had almost everything! Including a refrigerator a coffee/tea maker, AND free bottled water! The blackout curtains were ESSENTIAL for sleeping off those pierogi. The window that opens was great to catch a breeze.
Now, the quirks. The bathroom was…well, it was functional. The shower was a little on the small side, and I’m not gonna lie, I almost cracked my head on the mirror at one point. There’s also a scale, which, if you’re like me, you immediately hide from your own self. Minor things. Honestly.
The All-Important Internet (Because, Let’s Be Real)
The Wi-Fi was GREAT. Wi-Fi [free] everywhere. I also saw Internet [LAN] in the room. But let's be honest, who uses LAN anymore? The fact that it was there makes me happy. But the wireless was the REAL workhorse. I needed to keep connected, and Ottaviano didn't disappoint. Quick download, good connection. No complaints!
Food Glorious Food! (And Slightly Confusing Choices)
Okay, the food. This is where things get interesting. The Breakfast [buffet] was… well, it was Polish. It was extensive, with Asian breakfast options (interesting!), the usual suspects: eggs, bacon, sausages. There was Coffee/tea in restaurant. The breakfast takeaway service came in handy for the early morning adventures. The Western breakfast and Western cuisine in restaurant were definitely there. A la carte in restaurant, salad in restaurant, desserts in restaurant, soup in restaurant… you name it, they probably had it. And what was most important was that every dish was so fresh and flavourful.
The restaurant itself had the best views. The staff were friendly and helpful. They were definitely adhering to Safe dining setup, with Sanitized kitchen and tableware items and Individually-wrapped food options. BUT… the menu was a little overwhelming. So many choices! Alternative meal arrangement was available. I had a few moments of “what do I actually want,” but that's more my indecisiveness than a fault of the hotel. Room service [24-hour] was a lifesaver after a long day of exploring.
There's also a Bar at the hotel, which had a fab Happy hour, a Poolside bar and a Coffee shop. Plus, the hotel offers international cuisine, and even has a Vegetarian restaurant!
Things to Do (Beyond Eating Pierogi)
Okay, the BEST part. The SPA. Oh. My. God. This is where I lost track of time. They have it all: a Swimming pool [indoor], a Swimming pool [outdoor], a Pool with view. I had a Body scrub, a Body wrap (felt like a million bucks!), and a Massage that quite literally melted my stress away. The Sauna, Spa/sauna, and Steamroom were heavenly. They also have a Fitness center, and I felt a pang of guilt that I didn't use it… but the spa won. ALWAYS the spa. I'm not someone who regularly does the spa, but after experiencing the Ottaviano's spa, I've changed my mind.
Cleanliness and Safety: Feeling Safe (and Slightly Paranoid… in a Good Way)
I'm going to be honest… I'm a little paranoid about cleanliness these days. But the Ottaviano got top marks. Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Rooms sanitized between stays, Professional-grade sanitizing services – they took it seriously. They had Hand sanitizer everywhere, and the staff were all wearing masks and trained in Staff trained in safety protocol. The hotel followed ALL the usual rules. This made me feel much more relaxed!
The hotel has a doctor/nurse on call. The rooms had smoke alarms, and fire extinguishers are a must. There was CCTV in common areas and CCTV outside property – a small detail but made me feel safer, especially as a solo traveler.
Services and Conveniences: Beyond the Basics
This place has EVERYTHING. Let's run through it, shall we? Concierge? Check. Daily housekeeping? Obvs. Doorman? Definitely. They also have Cash withdrawal, Currency exchange, and Laundry service (thank god!). There is also a Convenience store and a Gift/souvenir shop. You want to book a Meeting/banquet facilities? They have it. Special event? They have a dedicated indoor venue for special events, outdoor venue for special events, and even Audio-visual equipment for special events!
For the Kids (and the Perpetually Young at Heart)
I didn't travel with kids, but I noticed that they had Kids facilities (and a Babysitting service!). And they were absolutely Family/child friendly!
Getting Around: Easy Peasy
Getting to and from the hotel was simple. They offer an Airport transfer, but I actually took a taxi. The Taxi service was quick and reliable. There's Car park [free of charge] and Car park [on-site], so getting around with your own car is easy. The Verdict: Book it. Seriously.
Okay, so Ottaviano Hotel in Swinoujscie isn't perfect. No place is. But it's pretty damn close. The location is incredible, the rooms are gorgeous, the spa is to die for, and the staff are lovely. Yes, there were a few small things that weren't perfect, but they were so minor that they hardly even registered. Honestly, I can't wait to go back.
Ottaviano Hotel Swinoujscie: Your Dream Polish Getaway Awaits! - The Offer (aka, What Are You Waiting For?)
Ready to say "Dzien dobry" to pure bliss?
Book your stay at Ottaviano Hotel Swinoujscie NOW and receive::
- A complimentary bottle of chilled Polish wine upon arrival - To sip on your private terrace!
- 20% off spa treatments - Because you deserve it! Get your Body scrub, Body wrap, Foot bath, Massage, and more!
- Free upgrade to a room with a sea view - Wake up to the Baltic!
- Early check-in and late check-out (subject to availability) - Maximize your relaxation time!
- Free car parking
**But hurry! This offer is for a limited time only!
Woodward's Best-Kept Secret: Days Inn Comfort Awaits!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's perfectly-pruned travel itinerary. This is the unfiltered, slightly-hungover, and definitely-opinionated account of my stay at the Ottaviano Hotel in Świnoujście, Poland. Expect mess, expect glory, and expect maybe a little bit of me questioning my life choices.
Ottaviano Hotel: Swinoujscie - The "Adventure"
Day 1: Arrival & Immediate Regret (Kidding! Mostly)
- 14:00 (Supposedly): Arrive at the hotel, optimistic. I'm thinking coastal breeze, fresh pierogies, and maybe, just maybe, I'll finally learn how to properly pronounce "Świnoujście" without sounding like a dying walrus. (Spoiler alert: I failed. Repeatedly.) Hotel looks promising from the outside. Smart, clean, all that jazz.
- 14:15: Check-in. Front desk guy, bless his heart, had the patience of a saint. My Polish is limited to "Dziękuję" and "Piwo, proszę," so communication consisted of frantic hand gestures and a lot of Google Translate. (Which, by the way, sometimes translates into hilarious gibberish).
- 14:30: Room exploration. Okay, not bad. Clean, yes. Balcony? Yes! View of… a parking lot. Okay, not great. But hey, the promise of the Baltic Sea is tantalizing close!
- 15:00: Coffee. Crucial. The hotel's coffee machine is…functional. Not gourmet, more like "gets the job done". Needed. I decided to sit in the lobby, to people watch. The lobby is stylish, modern, everything, but it looked like the chairs are from 1950's, which i thought was a bit of a weird choice.
- 16:00: Decided to walk around. Went to the pier. The pier is a long, long way. By the time i got there, my feet hurt. The pier seems to attract a lot of retired people. i really wanted to be in the water. Decided to go to the beach at a later time.
- 19:00: Dinner at the hotel restaurant. Ordered the pierogi. I feel obligated to eat them. The waiter barely understands English. Food comes and it's… good! Better than I expected. The red beet soup was weird. I thought it would taste horrible. It didn't.
Day 2: The Sea, the Sand, and Slightly Less Regret
- 08:00: Breakfast. Decent breakfast buffet. Not a huge breakfast person but there was a very good selection of cold meats, cheese and eggs. I filled up on way too much cheese.
- 10:00: Beach time! Finally. The Baltic Sea. Cold, grey, but… beautiful. The sand is a fine, golden dust. I feel my skin burn a little, despite suncream. Lay on the beach. I feel great.
- 12:00: Lunch at a beachside café. Ordered some kind of deep-fried fish. It was greasy but delicious, the perfect post-beach fuel. A seagull tried (and failed) to steal my fries. I swear, they're the ninjas of the sky.
- 14:00: Back at the hotel. Took a nap. That seafood knocked me out. Woke up feeling slightly guilty for wasting a chunk of the day, but also incredibly well-rested.
- 17:00: EXPLORATION! Decided I needed to see more of Świnoujście. Went around the island. Went to the lighthouse. The view was worth it.
- 19:00: More food, this time at a restaurant recommended by a local. A tiny, cramped place with the best bigos (hunter's stew) I've ever tasted. Seriously, the food was amazing. My stomach is happy, my soul is content.
Day 3: The "Almost Beautiful" Day
- 09:00: Breakfast, again. More cheese.
- 10:00: "The park". Strolled in the park. It was beautiful. Not many people. The perfect way to spend a morning.
- 12:00: Tried to check for a boat trip. Unfortunately there wasn't a boat trip. I decided to sit in a café, and relax.
- 14:00: Decided to go back to the beach. I needed to say goodbye. It was beautiful. I felt like i was ready to go home.
- 16:00: Packed my bag. One last look at the parking lot… the balcony view had kind of grown on me. (Just kidding, it still wasn't amazing.)
- 17:00: Got ready to leave.
Overall Thoughts:
- Ottaviano Hotel: Perfectly adequate. Clean, comfortable, the staff is pleasant. Not exactly bursting with personality, but not a disaster by any stretch.
- Świnoujście: Surprisingly charming. The beach is lovely, the food is delicious, the pace of life is delightfully slow. The pier, despite the long walk, is worth a trip. Learning to pronounce the town's name remains a work in progress.
- Would I go back? Yes, absolutely. I might even try to learn a few MORE Polish words. Maybe. Probably not. But the bigos… the bigos alone is worth another trip. And who knows, maybe next time I'll find a boat trip. Or maybe I'll just enjoy the parking lot view. After all, it was part of the adventure.
Final Verdict: 7.5/10 - Could be even BETTER.
Escape to Paradise: Unbelievable Golden Villas in Noord, Aruba
Ottaviano Hotel Swinoujscie: Your (Potentially) Dream Polish Getaway - Let's Get Real!
Okay, spill the beans! Is Ottaviano Hotel really as dreamy as the brochure makes it out to be?
**My Tip:** Don't expect perfection. Pack a sense of humor. And maybe a universal adapter.
What's the food situation like? I'm picturing pierogis and... well, *more* pierogis.
**My Verdict:** Expect the unexpected. And perhaps a culinary adventure.
Tell me about the rooms. Are they clean? Comfortable? Avoidably haunted?
**Pro-tip:** Pack a bathrobe. And maybe a rubber ducky to liven up the shower situation.
What's Swinoujscie itself like? Beyond the hotel, is there anything worth seeing?
What about the staff? Are they helpful? Do they speak English? Are they secretly plotting world domination?
**My Advice:** Be polite and patient. And maybe learn a few basic Polish phrases. And if you think there's world domination plotting going, maybe don't tell anyone, especially me.
Is there a pool? Spa? Gym? Does it actually *work*?
Should I book the Ottaviano Hotel Swinoujscie? Is it worth it?
