Europe with a dog - Rydzyna Castle Hotel, Poland - Orlando Travels with Pets

Rydzyna Castle Hotel & Conference Center

A castle fit for a... dog?

Looking for somewhere unique to stay while in Poland? Check out Rydzyna Castle located in western Poland about 4 hours from Krakow and less than 2 hours from Poznan (makes a great stop when driving from one to the other). This castle is located in the countryside on a large estate within walking distance to the small village of Rydzyna. Don't expect a lot of amenities or things to do, however its a great way to escape the cities and see a bit more of Poland.

The castle was originally built at the beginning of the 15th century but was later adapted in the 17th century to become what it is today. Italian architects added the Baroque touches that can be seen when exploring the property. It has a diverse history being the residence of a Polish king and then later being a school during the German occupation. It was damaged by fire during the war in 1945 and had to be renovated which was finished by 1990. The castle is now a pet-friendly hotel.

The hotel has 47 en-suite rooms that all have satellite tv, radio, and telephone. Mini-bars and internet are available in some rooms and there are also two family rooms with 2 double rooms and a shared bathroom. Our double rooms were large with a seating area and a mini-bar area. The bathroom was modern but the rest of the furniture and decorations were either antiques (or believable replicas). The view from our room was over the surrounding park which was very peaceful. The hotel was very quiet - we were the only four people staying overnight when we were there in May. It is a shame more people don't get out of the city and experience something different as they are missing a unique opportunity.

The hotel also has conference facilities and would be a great option for a destination wedding. Optional excursions that can be pre-booked include a horse and carriage ride through the surrounding countryside. We did this in celebration of my in-laws anniversary and we all had a great time. The driver was very friendly even though we had a bit of a language barrier. He pointed out items of interest and was very kind.

The restaurant, called Zamkowa, is what you would hope for in a castle. The decorations are lavish, the silverware has been polished and the staff were friendly, catering to every need. The food was mainly traditional Polish dishes with some international cuisine mixed in. The included breakfast was a huge buffet with everything you could think of. They kept bringing more and more food out even though there was only four of us eating.

Dogs will enjoy exploring the castle and its grounds. Its an easy walk to the small village and to the surrounding countryside. Our dog enjoyed having extra room to run around (the room was huge!) and liked exploring the long hallways. At night there was a Shining-like feel about the castle but that just added excitement to the experience.

So if you are planning a trip to Poland with (or without) your pet, consider going off-the-beaten track and stay at Rydyzna Castle.

For more info:

Rydzyna Castle
Hotel "ZAMEK RYDZYNA"
64-130 Rydzyna, pl. Zamkowy 1
tel/fax +48 65 529 50 40, 529 50 26
e-mail: zamek@zamek-rydzyna.com.pl

Located close to main road 5, beween Wroclaw and Poznan. It is 10 km from Leszno which can be reached by train from other Polish cities. For a map of the location, click here. A car is recommended for exploring the area on your own.

Rates are as follows (based on 2009 rates - subject to change)
Single Room - 195 zloty (about $70)
Double Room - 295 zloty (about $110)
Large Double Room - 345 zloty (and it is large!) (about $125)
Royal Room - 490 zloty (about $180)
Rates include breakfast and VAT and are based on availability. Parking is an extra 25 zloty per day and pets are approx 55 zloty a day.