BEST KNOWN FOR
The Nobu hotel is named after the founder Nobu Matsuhisa, a Japanese celebrity chef, but the actor Robert De Niro is also a major player within the Nobu brand, that now boasts 13 hotels and 50 restaurants across the global. It took Robert De Niro four years to convince Nobu to allow him to be a part of the business after first eating in his sushi restaurant in the late 1980’s. Initially a restaurant chain, Nobu opened it’s first hotel in Las Vegas in 2013, and the Nobu Hotel Warsaw in 2020.
THE GOOD STUFF
Heralded as Warsaw’s first design hotel and Nobu’s first venture in Poland, Nobu Hotel Warsaw is a combination of two wings: the ‘classic’ is housed in an Art Deco building, the former Hotel Rialto, which dates back to 1920s inter-war Poland, and the ‘modern’ is an ultra-contemporary, new build. The hotel delivers a seamless blend of modern cool luxury and minimal Japanese tradition into the concept of a lifestyle hotel. On entering the hotel there was the distinct Nobu scent that was a delight to the senses. A little later an apple juice was delivered to the room, which, TBH, I was a little disappointed with as it didn’t come with a shot of Zubrowka vodka, making a Szarlotka, the famous Polish cocktail.
THE VIBE
The focus is on the restaurant and bar area, which is certainly more than just a ‘normal’ hotel bar / restaurant with the majority of patrons not staying at the hotel. The clientele were a mixture of couples / first dates, alongside some high-flyers who were out to impress. As I stayed over the festival period bookings were essential and their NYE party, with local DJs, was sold out in advance.
INSIDE THE HOTEL – 7/10
As Nobu is traditionally a restaurant brand, the culinary delights are front and foremost. The pancakes I had for breakfast were some of the best I’ve tasted, but I was a little underwhelming with the sashimi and rice I ordered from the a la carte menu the night before. The room was as expected, with minimal Japanese design and concrete walls juxtaposed with elegant wood finishes, alongside an assortment of mood enhancing lighting options, all centered around one of the biggest beds I’m had the pleasure to sleep in. I also really enjoyed the small, but perfectly formed sauna and steam room which helped cure my festive hangover.
OUTSIDE THE HOTEL – 7/10
The neighbourhood welcomes the intellectual traveller to discover its charm, with lots of hidden gems to seek out and enjoy, with an abundance of wine bars, independent fashion and designer shops, art galleries, cafes and restaurants. Wilcza Street, which still has buildings that survived Hitler’s razing of the city, is becoming the creative hub of Warsaw and its central location makes Nobu Hotel Warsaw the perfect place to stay.
Image courtesy of Nobu Warsaw
