Grotty old PRL hotel gets stunning new modern makeover
A tired-looking 1980s hotel in Poland has been magically transformed into an ultra-modern must-visit place to stay inspired by the surrounding landscape.
Located in the town of Tomaszów Lubelski, in south-eastern Poland, near the border with Ukraine, the Hotel Laureat was built in 1984-1988.
According to the architects: “The contemporary and timeless architecture resembles the latest trends in the design of hotel buildings.”
After the fall of communism in 1989, the building was taken over by the town and continued to operate as a hotel, but its situation deteriorated.
The building’s grey façade looked dreary and uninviting. Instead of investing money in modernising the hotel, the town sold it.
A striking feature of the redesigned building is the fully glazed restaurant, which offers a panoramic view.
Now the hotel has been transformed by Warsaw-based architects Mateusz Tański & Associates (MTA Architekci).
It reopened in June, now as an ibis Styles hotel, part of the French multinational hospitality company Accor S.A.
Located in the town of Tomaszów Lubelski, in south-eastern Poland, near the border with Ukraine, the Hotel Laureat was built in 1984-1988.
“The contemporary and timeless architecture resembles the latest trends in the design of hotel buildings. The bright and incredibly well-lit room, large glazed surfaces and excellent acoustics are set to become the distinguishing factors of the modernised building,” MTA Architekci write on their website.
A striking feature of the redesigned building is the fully glazed restaurant, which offers a panoramic view.
After the fall of communism in 1989, the building was taken over by the town and continued to operate as a hotel, but its situation deteriorated.
The refurbished hotel has 50 rooms, a conference centre and an observation deck.
The interior by design studio Tremend is inspired by the nearby countryside – the Solska Forest and Roztocze, the range of hills in east-central Poland.
The interior by design studio Tremend is inspired by the nearby countryside – the Solska Forest and Roztocze, the range of hills in east-central Poland.
It is decorated using colours that bring to mind nature, including green and browns, with items inspired by the forests, like lamps in the shape of pine cones suspended from the ceiling.
Photos of the town inside the hotel add to its local character.
Photos of the town inside the hotel add to its local character.
The hotel’s location on 32 Lwowska Street in Tomaszów Lubelski makes it a suitable base for travellers in town for business or to explore the Solska Forest and Roztocze.
The town itself is around 125 km south-east of Lublin and less than 100 km from Lviv, in western Ukraine.
