Don't be fooled by the H15 Boutique’s 19th century plane exterior the interior is the complete opposite, high quality modern furnishings and colourful yet cosy rooms. The hotel also offers conference rooms, a restaurant and beauty salon.

Dating back to 1899 and just a few minutes' walk from the Old Town Square, this hotel retains its old-world ambience and style remarkably well. The rooms are decorated in muted tones with period-style wooden furniture and benefit from sweeping high ceilings. The lobby contains several boutiques, a cigar store and a newsagent. The Marconi Restaurant, one of the hotel's two restaurants, offers a delicious all-you-can-eat Sunday brunch, while the hotel's super café serves exquisite desserts.

Mamaison Hotel Le Regina Warsaw is a cut above the competition. Located just north of the Old Town in a quiet neighbourhood, it’s housed in a gorgeous 18th-century palace and filled with period furniture. But the hotel is modern where it counts, with sparkling new bathrooms and Wi-Fi connection throughout. Rooms are bright, breezy and decorated in eye-catching chocolate and beige.

The rooms at this top-class hotel offer a choice of three styles of décor ranging from 'Maritime’ and 'Scandinavian’ to 'Italian’. Each style differs through its colour scheme, furniture and layout. The Italian style is most whimsical. Staff are accommodating, and there's a first-rate fitness centre in the basement, featuring a pool, fitness machines plus massage and beauty services.

Castle Inn Oki Doki has plenty going for it. It's the only hotel within the limits of Warsaw's Old Town, is stumbling distance from the Royal Castle, and is housed in a 17th-century tenement house that miraculously survived WWII. Rooms (most of which are 3-star, a handful 4) are colourful ensembles, each sporting a unique and playful theme, such as 'Alice in Wonderland' or 'Oriental Express'. 'Viktor’ is named after a reclusive street artist, complete with artsy graffiti.

A well-priced accommodation in the heart of Warsaw, Harenda offers simple rooms equipped with a TV and safe. The lobby is welcoming and once you’ve checked in, you can climb the large wide staircase to find your room. Note that some of the rooms/suites have been rented out for business purposes (eg doctors' offices) and that some singles are on the small size. The hotel entrance is off Krakowskie-Przedmiescie to the left; you’re really paying for the location here.

Away from the city centre, but handy to the city's Jewish sights and just a few tram stops from the Old Town, Maria Hotel is a small, family-run and family-friendly hotel with modern amenities and a decent restaurant on the premises. Rooms are generally big, bright, and airy, and all are en suite. It’s in a rambling old house with rooms set over three floors (no lift) with atmosphere in spades and a friendly, welcoming staff.

 The Mercure Warsaw Grand is conveniently located in the city centre, only 5 minutes from the nearest metro and 15 from the nearest train station. The hotels facilities include a gym, bar/lounge area and a restaurant. Mercure Warsaw Grand also offer transportation to and from Warsaw airport.

A bargain for what it offers and the location, the 'House of Literature’ is – appropriately enough - the headquarters of the Polish PEN Club, an international association of writers. It’s on the third floor with no lift but the climb up several flights of steps is worth it for the wonderful views over the Old Town. The rooms are quite formal, with comfortable but old-fashion sofas and beamed ceilings.

It’s nothing to write home about but this budget hotel’s location near the bars and other nightlife venues of Praga make it a, well, hit with those coming to Warsaw to party. The clean, rather cosy, modern rooms are bland but perfectly functional and represent excellent value for money. Look on the website for weekend and other specials.

It lives up to its name in cleanliness and prime location (very close to Warsaw's main train station) but this is a straightforward 'tourist class/budget' hotel with few frills beyond rather cramped en-suite facilities and a colour TV with a satellite connection. Wi-Fi access is available. What you lose in character, you'll gain in saving zloty for more interesting pursuits.