BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN INDUSTRIAL AND CONTEMPORARY
LOCATION
Wroclaw developed at the crossroads of the Amber Road, connecting the Baltic Sea and the Meditteranean. The city, nestled on the bank of the Oder River, began rapidly developing around the Ostrów Tumski island. Dotted with imposing gothic spirals and lined with red-brick buildings, Wroclaw is not called the city of a hundred bridges for no reason. One of them, connecting the city with the Ostrów Tumski island, lent the name to the novel five-star industrial city meeting hotel, the Bridge MGallery Wroclaw. It is within spitting distance of the imposing Cathedral of Saint Jan Chrzciciela. The red-brick facade is impossible to overlook in this part of Wroclaw, a city famed for its colourful facades. Wroclaw is the only city in Poland where the gas-lit street lamps are still lit at dusk and extinguished at dusk by a seasoned lamplighter. This romantic act dates to 1846. You can admire the lights from the safe embrace of your hotel room or the tastefully decorated hotel restaurant. The Bridge MGallery Wroclaw sits close to the city centre yet intimately tucked away in the safety of the former island. A brisk walk from the city centre and the landmarks, this hotel knows how to bridge the gap between industrial and contemporary design.
ACCESSIBILITY
The southwest of Poland had been a key outpost on the Amber Road. Wroclaw was one of the most flourishing cities on this route, well-connected with its northern and southern counterparts. The vestiges of this ancient trading route are evident today: Wroclaw has excellent motorway connections with the north and south, helping you reach the city with ease. Air accessibility, on the other hand, is one of the destination’s drawbacks. Compared to Warsaw Airport, the flights arriving at Wroclaw Airport are less frequent. Sustainably oriented guests can take the timely trains from Katowice or even Warsaw. The connectivity between Polish cities had advanced tremendously. For guests arriving by car, the hotel has a parking garage that will cost some 30 EUR per day, but the location outweighs the price. Taxis abound in Wroclaw; the omnipresent Bolt is affordable and reliable. The city centre is perfect for walking. Pedestrians and cyclists can effortlessly stroll across the abundant bridges or enjoy the tranquillity of areas where cars have been banned. The city municipality should consider making more cycling paths towards the city centre and thus improve the quality of life for its residents, whilst the hotel can think about providing bike rentals. Once you are in Wroclaw, the hotel is easy to reach and the perfect starting point for exploring the city.
COLD STARTER – Architecture and aesthetics
How can a hotel’s soul be permeated with industrial design while keeping it elegantly original? We believe the hotel’s architect, Michał Goncerzewicz, achieved that by seeking inspiration from the city’s towering churches, romantic street lamps and the eclectic facades of Wroclaw. The exterior is inconspicuous from its adjacent buildings, blending in with the centuries-old buildings. Yet a peep inside shows the hotel hides more than what meets the eye. In the lobby, black elements dominate the interior, eclipsed only by the sprawling water wall. Throughout the hotel, industrial elements turn heads, including the room numbers, illuminated with a neon-like hue. Nonetheless, it is not only the industrial elements that make this hotel stand out. The golden details, such as the font of the room service menu or the stylish evacuation plan, show the architects considered every last detail. The open style of the kitchen vis-a-vis the dining room creates a feeling of closeness between the guests and the chef’s team. Industrial chic!
WARM ENTRÉE – The staff and the culinary experience
The staff often represents a “make-or-break” point during a hotel visit. In the case of The Bridge MGallery Wroclaw, the staff blew us away with their kindness, professionalism and sincere approach. The registration was flawless, with a kind receptionist sharing tips for exploring the town and navigating the facilities. The same story continued in the hotel restaurant, where we were guided by a youthful and enthusiastic waitress who suggested their signature dishes. We savoured the ox heart, beef tartare and succulent pig. A team of young cooks whom the guests can admire in their open kitchen masterfully combine flavours. No five-star institution would shy away from such a splendid breakfast. The excellent a la carte menu and a buffet laden with local delicacies is a perfect prelude to the rest of your stay. The freshly squeezed juice and proper espresso are the icing on the cake. The hotel also cooperates with local artisan cheese makers, whose specialities you can taste during breakfast, including the Slubowskie cheese.
MAIN COURSE – The meetings offering at the hotel
Hotel rooms
The hotel rooms pay homage to the region’s industrial heritage as a former industrial heartland. Stunning black elements, including the black pipes hiding the cables and the bright red alarm cable running across the ceiling, embody the popular industrial design in architecture. The coarse, exposed concrete walls are a canvas for select artworks. MGallery cooperated with the nearby National Museum in Wroclaw to recreate iconic portraits in the hotel rooms. Ours boasted a mural of Adam Wihard (its original stored in the nearby museum). The room itself befits a five-star hotel, with pleasant illumination, slick wooden flooring and a king-size bed. We were impressed by the anthracite-hued furniture that pairs well with the blue and green loungers in the room. We were in awe of the canopy above the bed, upholding candles we could illuminate on the user-friendly lights panel. A similar industrial design continues in the bathroom, where black and white floor tiles appear harmonious. We can only praise the hotel’s decision to include environment-friendly shampoo dispensers for their Caudalie cosmetics. The mini bar is well-stocked, now an exception rather than a rule in hotels. The rooms in this hotel were thoughtfully designed and will make any guest feel at home. Every scratch does show on black, though.
Meetings centre
Primarily a business city hotel, the Bridge MGallery hides a magical garden ideal for receptions. Event organisers can combine it with the Concretum Ballroom, with a capacity of up to 450 attendees. Three smaller event halls are suitable for boutique conferences, too. The hotel’s trump card lies on the sixth floor. Its extravagant rooftop bar probably has one of the best views in Wroclaw. We have no doubt event organisers will flock to this industrial charmer once they catch wind of this location.
DESSERT – The extras
On the sixth floor, the wellness and gym offer stunning vistas of the city centre and the Oder River. Greenery on the walls, paired with hanging light bulbs emitting a pleasant light, gives this wellness zing. After relaxing in the zen area and the three saunas, you will be delighted by the mesmerising views in the heart of Wroclaw.
FLOP – NEGATIVE SURPRISES
We could hardly find any remarks about this superb hotel. One hairsplitting comment concerns the black colours of the furniture in the rooms. The matte black hue is sensitive to scratches. Also, the staff could do with a set of hands here and there.
TOP – POSITIVE SURPRISES
The Sky Bar is a fantastic additional venue for events. With unparalleled views of the boats passing by on the nearby river and the Cathedral of Saint Jan Chrzciciela seemingly within arm’s reach from the terrace, this venue is arguably one of the city’s hottest.
SUSTAINABLE ENDEAVOURS
The hotel is sincere about its sustainable aspirations; Accor is one of the leading hotel groups that invest in sustainable initiatives. Gentle reminders to reuse towels and save water, both digitalised and printed, help empower guests to consider their carbon footprint. The cuisine is seasonal and local, advocating authentic regional dishes. Moreover, the hotel is a proud recipient of the Green Key certificate and was recently recognised at the MP Power Awards for its green activities. Not least, the hotel is among a handful of Polish hotels that acquired the LEED Gold certificate. The hotel also profits from a rainwater irrigation system. We hope other Polish hotels follow suit.
FINAL IMPRESSION AND CREDIBILITY
The Bridge MGallery has an industrial design that captures the city’s past and charts its future. Its unmistakable black interior, recognisable brick facade and attention to detail render it one of the city’s best. The ebullient personnel, always willing to help, ensure every guest has a memorable impression of the hotel and the city. Each room in the hotel is, in a way, a nod to the rich artistic legacy of Polish painters. This originality helps the hotel edge out city competitors with more generic designs. Wroclaw’s industrial newcomer is not cordoned off from city life; it functions as a meeting place for locals to convene and exchange ideas. Sustainability and CSR activities are top of the list for management at this hotel, and rightfully so, as Wroclaw is one of the greenest cities in the region. Lastly, the price policy is incredibly fair compared to cities south and west of the border. Wroclaw now has a hotel that bridges industrial and contemporary.
FINAL GRADE: 4.96 THREE MEETING STARS⭐⭐⭐ City Meeting Hotel
3 MEETING STARS⭐⭐⭐ final score from 4.81 to 5.00
2 MEETING STARS⭐⭐ final score from 4.61 to 4.80
1 MEETING STAR⭐ final score from 4.41 to 4.60
| CATEGORY | 5***** |
| OPEN FROM | August 2019 |
| MEETINGS STAR | City Meeting Hotel |
| STANDARD | Congress Hotel |
| NUMBER OF ROOMS | 184 rooms and suites |
| MEETING ROOMS | 4 |
| TOTAL EVENT SPACE | 859 sqm |
| MAX. CAPACITY THEATRE | 610 attendees |
| INTERNET PRICE | 138 EUR (single use) / Booking, August 2024 |
| ADDRESS | The Bridge MGallery Wroclaw Plac Katedralny 8 Wroclaw, PolandT: +48 71 72 73 100 E: hotel@thebridgewroclaw.pl W: https://thebridgewroclaw.pl/en/ |
| FACILITIES | CRAFT RestaurantThe Bridge Summer BarThe Bridge Sky BarWellness areaLibraryFour conference roomsMagical garden |
| SPECIALS | Cooperating with a local museum champions local cultural and art heritage and inspires originality. We were amazed by the artwork adorning the walls of the hotel. They were created hand-in-hand with the National Museum in Wroclaw. In a way, the hotel is a museum in its own right, where you can admire the masterpieces of renowned artists. Our tip: glance at the walls at the reception and bar for a surprise! |
| RESULTS | MARKS |
| 1. LOCATION | 4.99 |
| 2. ACCESSIBILITY | 4.98 |
| 3. FIRST IMPRESSION | 4.90 |
| 4. LOBBY | 4.91 |
| 5. EMPLOYEE ATTITUDE | 4.94 |
| 6. RECEPTION | 4.97 |
| 7. HOTEL ROOM | 4.95 |
| 8. HOTEL BED | 4.96 |
| 9. BATHROOM AND RESTROOM | 4.97 |
| 10. HOTEL BREAKFAST | 4.94 |
| 11. BARS AND RESTAURANTS | 4.97 |
| 12. CONGRESS HALL | 4.99 |
| 13. ADDITIONAL OFFER | 5.00 |
| TOTAL: | 4.96 |
IMPORTANT: If you wish to know what the evaluation of 654 criteria entails and would like our hidden guest to evaluate your hotel, read more at www.meetings-star.eu or send an email to gorazd.cad@toleranca.eu.
