Nobu Hotel Warsaw

Half of the Nobu Hotel Warsaw lived a previous life as the Art Deco gem known as the Hotel Rialto. But it’s the modern addition that grabs most of the attention, a collaboration between Nobu’s Californian architects of choice, Studio PCH, and the Warsaw-based Medusa Group. It’s a suitably dramatic rebirth for one of the biggest names in high-end hospitality — it’s no exaggeration to say the Nobu Hotel takes Warsaw’s boutique-hotel scene to a new level.

It’s not just the architecture. The interiors in the new wing, handsome as they are, pay tribute to Japanese tradition, and the rooms are lavish without being opulent — there’s a certain visual starkness that balances the top-flight comforts. Meanwhile, in the Art Deco wing, a few suites remain in the original interior style, with subtle Japanese accents tucked in to their century-old atmosphere.

The Nobu name, of course, is first and best known for its restaurants, and Nobu Warsaw is a substantial addition to the city’s culinary offerings. Chef Nobu Matsuhisa puts his personal stamp on everything, from breakfast on through to dinner, with meals served in a multitude of stylish spaces, including the flagship Nobu Warsaw, the elegant Nobu Bar, and the outdoor Nobu Terrace.