Golden Crown: My Tranquil Stay at the Gospoda Pod Złotą Koroną Hotel in Grotowice, Opole

As part of my personal, selfish quest to visit every Polish Voivodeship (there are 16) and 20 “parts” of Poland (self listed), I decided on a spontaneous trip to Opole, it was 17/20 as I honed in on the 18/20 mark. Opole is the capital city of the Opole Voivedeship Province and doesn’t get the tourists it merits, often living in the shadow of nearby Krakow, Katowice and Wrocław. But trust me on this one – it’s a backpacker’s gem…Opole and I am not a photographer, I always stress I am a poet, writer and football tourist, photography is my weak point, but these show a bit:

To make my trip slightly more untouristic, I also chose not to stay in central Opole itself, but base myself in the gorgeous countryside nearby in a place called Grotowice! Yes my travels are not so normal, but it has always been my style if you remember my 2001 tour to outback Ontario (never written about), my 2007 Bobruisck experience, the 2009 days in Shinying and my 2013 tour of Nagorno Karabakh (to name but a few). This was in line with my usual travels both in Poland and outside. In the past it led to my visits to Biskupiec, Kokoszkowy, Rywałd and Kuklowka, amongst others. Now, Grotowice joins the list…

So I thought I would keep this post regular to my previous hotel and hostel reviews, I am a big fan of supporting local business, hence why I rarely couchsurf it or camp in a tent. I’m a tourist. I sleep in hotels and hostels. Here are five things I loved about my time in the Golden Crown (Złotą Koroną).

1.The Staff: Anna and Ela at the Gospoda Pod Złotą Koroną Hotel at Grotowice on The Edge of Opole
Believe it or not, I was sat in a WiFi cafe in Krakow on the day of my tour to Opole and I had nothing booked. But Anna at Gospoda Pod Złotą Koroną Hotel in Opole was quick to react, she booked me in at short notice. And on my arrival, Ela not only checked me in, she served me my first ever beer in this province and gave me the bus routes back into Opole!

I got a bus in and out of my countryside hotel, at two points, I was the only person (never mind tourist) on my bus! It only got busy when I neared the town centre. Number 8 or number 12 bus take you in and out of Opole City for 3 złotych to Grotowice.

2.Cosy Rooms at the Gospoda Pod Złotą Koroną Hotel at Grotowice on The Edge of Opole
I was in room 23, top floor. A great bed, a desk, TV, clean and working shower room, two velux windows views to glorious Polish countryside. I slept alone too and it was so peaceful here. The only issue was the WiFi sadly didn’t stretch to my room, so I had to blog from the bar, or just type things offline from my room. I guess once in a while it’s OK to be offline…

3.Off the Normal Tourist Route at Gospoda Pod Złotą Koroną Hotel at Grotowice on The Edge of Opole
As I mentioned, the Gospoda Pod Złotą Koroną Hotel in Grotowice, Opole has probably not even been covered before on travel blogs, certainly not backpacked to the hilt and I always revel and enjoy being the first to begin such an adventure. The selfish part of me loved this area, I was backpacking in Grotowice, including the church next door, the cosy country bar, the nature, the football stadium and the bus stop opposite the hotel!

4.Buffet Breakfast at Gospoda Pod Złotą Koroną Hotel in Grotowice, Opole
From 7 am to 10 am there was a great buffet breakfast, including hot and cold food, fruit and yoghurts, cheese, bread, tea, coffee and juice. Breakfast is included in the hotel price so always a nice bonus.

5.Something to Write About – Grotowice
The truth sometimes is that I buzz off the obscure and often I use cool and unusual hotels, bars and cafes are something to write about. As I was backpacking Opole and Grotowice, I wanted something a bit different to normal. Most people sleep downtown, I was happy to be bus-sing in and out and sleeping in deeper countryside! Here are some more photos.

Here are the details for booking:

http://www.zlota-korona.com.pl/kontakt.html
Hotel – Rezerwacje tel. (77) 456 20 52
Organizacja Imprez tel. 604 442 977
ul. Oświęcimska 136
45 – 641 Opole
e-mail: [email protected]
Book it on Agoda

Here are my videos from my stay at the Gospoda Pod Złotą Koroną Hotel in Opole: