Interview with Violetta Krzemień-Banot, general manager, on ten years of Mercure Kraków Stare Miasto and the first anniversary of Tribe Krakow Old Town

 

Ten years of Mercure Kraków Stare Miasto – what does this anniversary represent for you?

It represents consistency. Consistency in how we approach guests, in quality, and in attention to detail. It is also ten years of work by people – because a hotel is first and foremost its team. And perhaps most importantly, it confirms that authenticity works. When you do things properly, guests recognise it.

The Mercure brand places strong emphasis on the Discover Local concept. How does that translate into your day-to-day operations?

For us, Discover Local is not a slogan, it’s a lived experience. Locality runs through the entire hotel – in the interiors, in the atmosphere, in the way we welcome guests and in the small rituals that build a sense of place. The best compliment we hear is: “You can really feel Kraków here.”

There are also royal references throughout the hotel. Where does that inspiration come from?

Kraków was a royal capital, so that heritage is a natural point of reference. But we interpret it in a contemporary way – elegant, subtle, without excess. These elements are present across the hotel, not to dominate, but to create atmosphere and tell a story.

One of the most distinctive elements is the hejnał played at noon…

Yes, that has become our signature moment. Every day at 12:00 the hejnał sounds through the hotel, symbolically dividing the day. Around that, we build small gestures of Kraków hospitality. Guests are welcomed with chocolates from the Wawel brand, and when they leave, they receive a traditional obwarzanek for the journey. Even our team’s uniforms draw on regional Kraków costumes. These are small touches, but in hospitality they’re what people remember. And our Winestone restaurant is an important part of the Mercure experience, featuring plenty of those local touches. Locality is not about imitation – it’s a conscious choice: quality, regional inspiration, and a welcoming atmosphere. We want it to be a natural meeting place not only for hotel guests, but also for Kraków residents.

How did you move from celebrating ten years of Mercure to launching a new concept at the same address?

It wasn’t a leap – rather, it was a logical  continuation. The success of Mercure showed that this location has real potential and that our guests value consistency and quality. That encouraged the owner, Essendi Poland, together with Accor, to open a second hotel here. This time, however, we chose something entirely different in style and energy – the Tribe brand.

How does that energy fit in with the nearby Old Town of Main Market Square?

Our Tribe Krakow Old Town won the Property Design Awards 2026 in the category ‘Building – Hotel: Opening of the Year’. The hotel was recognised for its harmonious integration of modern architecture into the historic buildings. The architect, Jacek Ewý, said that his concept was to reference Krakow modernism and local Krakow materials. The building’s façade and the bay window motif is typical of interwar architecture, and a meaningful nod to the surrounding architecture.

How does Tribe differ from Mercure?

Mercure is more classical, rooted in Kraków’s narrative. Tribe is lifestyle-focused – modern, bold, design-driven. It’s like an urban base: you arrive, feel comfortable immediately, and everything you need is there, without unnecessary formality.

The interiors are said to be inspired by the atmosphere of David Lynch’s Twin Peaks. How does that work in practice? Music seems to play an important role too.

It’s about mood rather than literal reference. A slightly cinematic quality – a sense of intrigue, strong details, something that draws you in. The interiors are carefully curated: high-quality furniture, distinctive pieces such as DIXA armchairs, iconic Snoopy lamps, and well-chosen accents. The effect is that you step inside and feel you have crossed into a different world. And yes, music is very much part of the experience – not just background. It is present throughout the hotel in excellent quality. We also have a Vinyl Club, which gives the space character and attracts guests who appreciate places with a certain atmosphere.

Tribe is designed so that everything contributes to wellbeing. There is a sauna, a gym, well-planned and comfortable spaces, and at the centre, the social hub – Tribe Café and the garden – where the hotel comes alive. Tribe Café is a place for coffee, meetings, work or simply a pause. Alongside that, there is a garden in the middle of the city, with comfortable furniture and touches of contemporary art. It is a space where you feel at ease from the first moment.

What happens in the afternoon and evening?

The pace changes. The restaurant opens with cuisine inspired by Asia, and the bar becomes a focal point – refined cocktails, as well as mocktails for those who prefer non-alcoholic options. It is a very urban energy, but in a comfortable setting.

Summing up – how do you see these two hotels side by side?

Mercure tells the story of Kraków – its rituals, its royal heritage, its locality. Tribe gives Kraków a new meeting place – design-led, musical, and lifestyle-oriented. Two different stories, but one shared idea: the guest should leave feeling they have experienced something genuine.