I had the good fortune to stay at Hotel Monopol in Katowice in mid-January 2012. Of course, I had read Trip Advisor reviews and was expecting something special, and indeed, this proved to be the case. The hotel itself has an industrial art deco feel, with beautiful features such as the hardwood floors, Italian wooden furniture, soaring glass ceiling in the dining/breakfast area, adjustable heating to the bathroom floors, and the very generous (in my case) single bedroom, which being on the 5th floor, had skylights over the bed. Everything was impeccably clean and tidy - lovely L'Occitane products in the bathroom, quick and reliable Wifi, warm rooms, comfortable bed, good desk space. The service, as noted in other reviews, was attentive, friendly and courteous, just right. Included in the price is the generous buffet breakfast, which comprised cereals, fruit, smoothies, hot food (bacon and Polish sausages), cold food (selection of herrings, tomatoes, cheeses and much more), crepes, juices, hot beverages to order, as were egg dishes, and a selection of breakfast pastries. All this in a huge room with a glass ceiling extending to five floors high; how lovely to eat breakfast with snow falling on that glass! Lunch and evening meals at the hotel were also generous and beautifully cooked and presented. The atmosphere, from one's room to the various communal areas, was relaxed and sophisticated. The location is superb - within a few minutes walk of the city centre - and taxis were readily available. I paid PLN100 cash to Katowice Airport; if booked through the hotel, an extra PLN25 is charged. Of note, around the corner is a wonderful Russian restaurant (sorry, can't recall its name but exit the hotel, turn left and at the first intersection, turn left again into a pedestrian walkway and to your right you will find it) and down the road, a terrific vegetarian restaurant, The Gold Donkey. While Kracow is an hour away by coach (quickest and warmest way there), and Auschwitz and Berkinau are also close by, there is a certain charm about Katowice that invites a closer look; the rather special art deco architecture sitting cheek by jowl with more brutalist structures, interlaced with 19th century structures that would not look out of place in Paris; a growing arts presence actively supported by Katowice's mayor; interesting food with a strong Russian influence. It is not a tourist haven - and I had been advised not to bother with the city - but it has charm in it own way. Certainly, the Hotel Monopol is a thoroughly luxurious to enjoy it.

I have now stayed at 3 hotels in Poland and this country knows how to offer great value for the quality of hotels. The Monopol was no exception. This hotel is beautifully updated with clean, elegant lines maintaining some of the old such as the hardwood floors and excavated mosaic floor on display in the lobby-- to the modern rooms, gorgeous bathrooms, nicely appointed bedroom with flat screen TV and very good internet. The breakfast is to die for! Home made croissants, rolls and muffins, a great selection of hot and cold foods from (in that unusual Baltic tradition) beet salad, pickles, meats and cheeses to more traditional crepes, fruits, yoghurts etc. Also on offer were a variety of cook to order dishes but I did not try those. My caffe Macchiato was included with the price and came to me like a work of art. Service was top notch. I would definitely recommend this hotel to friends and colleagues.

Excellent hotel located next to the railway station right in the city centre. Actually as the railway station is being partly demolished and rebuilt there is a temporary station around the corner. I arrived in Poland at Krakow airport quite late at night due to delays caused by fog in Munich. I ordered a taxi from the hotel and it was incredible value - PLN 220 (cash) for the 80 Km trip or 25% more if put on the room bill. Having arrived after midnight I was happy to see that the bar stayed open until 02.00 or later. After enjoying some of the local brew Brax I had a good sleep before an excellent breakfast. That evening I sampled the sauna and small pool in the basement. I gave the gymnasium a wide berth :-) The price I paid for bed and breakfast, including taxes, WiFi and fitness centre (OK only sauna and steam room for me) was, even by Polish standards VERY reasonable. I would have no hesitation in recommending Hotel Monopol to other business and leisure travellers.
PS - do not believe the garbage you may read elsewhere about Katowice station.

Having stayed a couple of times at this hotel I can't find a single fault on any ocassion, not even a niggle. The rooms are spacious, comfortable, well maintained, great air con in the summer and heating in the winter, in fact in the room you'd never know the difference. The staff are just the right level of attentive, never in the way but always someone around when you need them.
Location within the city couldn't be much better either, all the bars, restaurants, cafes so close by, taxis always on hand right outside the door and the train station right across the way although I never once heard the trains inside the room.
My visits were primarily for work and a good, reliable internet is important and again I was never let down and my laptop (a fairly large Macbook) even fits in the room safe, not that I really felt the need for it.
If you have a day spare Katowice is well placed to visit the camps of Aushwitz and Berkinaeu, well worth the effort for a very different experience.