The longest hotel in Europe has been built in Poland

The hotel market in Poland has been developing rapidly for some time. A Golebiewski hotel is being built in Pobierowo. In Gdansk, a Marriott on the exclusive Wyspa Spichrzów. As of 9.09 in the mountainous town of Szczyrk, there is an open Europe’s longest hotel.

The Beskids are a beautiful place, and now even enriched in the unique building. What does the hotel look like and what opinions does it evoke? Is it an architectural gem, an example of excellent revitalization or a moloch destroying the natural charm of the mountains?

The longest hotel in Europe – case study

Mercure Szczyrk Resort is a newly opened hotel in the Beskid Mountains. From the beginning, it has evoked mixed feelings among visitors and locals. The building, inspired by the architecture of the “eagle’s nest,” stands out for its size and modern design. Despite comparisons to soundproofing screens or parcel machines, the hotel attracts tourists. It offers extensive hotel and wellness facilities. And the views.

The hotel was built on the site of the former “Eagle’s Nest” resort, associated with the communist-era Katowice Steelworks. The designers focused on combining modernity with the historic spirit of the place. This resulted in an impressive hotel complex.

The most important data, or metrics

• Location: Szczyrk, Beskidy Mountains, Poland
• Length of the building: 330 meters – the longest hotel in Europe
• Number of floors: 9
• Number of rooms: 447
• Conference capacity: Up to 1200 participants
• Attractions for guests:
  • Two restaurants and three bars
  • Water park with pools, pool bar, spa, wellness center
  • Zones for children
  • Fitness center
• Infrastructure:
  • Underground and above-ground parking for about 200 cars
  • Use of renewable energy sources (RES), including 120 photovoltaic panels
• Architecture:
  • Design: ARC Studio, Gronner&Rączka Architekci Sp.J.
  • Architects: dr. hab. inż. arch. Zbyszko Bujniewicz (Silesian University of Technology), M.Sc. arch. Paweł Rączk, M.Sc. arch. Marek Gronner
• Interiors: Q2Studio Architectural Office
• Investor: Private investor

The hotel’s opening on September 9, 2024, has been met with great interest, despite controversy over its appearance. The facility is a modern and exclusive A point on the tourist map of the Beskids. It is expected to attract tourists and conference and event organizers. Revitalize this remarkable tourist area and give a new heartbeat to a forgotten and decaying center.

Revitalization as a way to give second life to “Eagle’s Nest”

The “Eagle’s Nest” facility in Szczyrk has a long history dating back to the communist era. It was erected in the late 1970s for the employees of the Katowice Steelworks. At the time it was a symbol of leisure infrastructure for industrial giants. The resort itself gained cult status. During the years of its splendor, it attracted numerous visitors, being an important point on the tourist map of the Beskids. However, the 1990s brought numerous problems to the facility – technical neglect, lack of investment and the general crisis of the political transformation contributed to its gradual collapse. The concrete colossus that once symbolized the socialist approach to leisure began to resemble a relic of a bygone era. The lack of ideas for its further development only worsened the situation.

The construction of the Mercure Szczyrk Resort on the foundations of the former “Eagle’s Nest” can be seen as both a revitalization and the erection of a new building. Some of the floors have been integrated with the original building. However, the architects opted for a completely new design and modern solutions, which significantly changed the character of the place.

Longest hotel in Europe alludes to the historical significance of the “Eagle’s Nest,” especially in the symbolic architecture. It has just been inspired by the eagle’s nest. A view of the picturesque mountains is provided for guests of each room. This emphasizes the uniqueness of the natural landscape, which for years has been one of the assets of this place.

Controversy and doubts

Does this investment have the potential to reinvigorate the region? It certainly does. The Mercure Szczyrk Resort is already generating interest among tourists and conference organizers. Its comprehensive facilities can contribute to the development of local tourism. At the same time, whether the revitalization will be fully successful remains an open question.

Construction modern hotel can attract new visitors. But the long-term impact on the region depends on how the site develops in the context of local infrastructure and the needs of tourists. Revitalization does not end with the restoration of the site itself – it must be part of a broader development plan for Szczyrk and the surrounding area to be considered truly effective. The impact on the local economy and community perception will be most important. Without them, it is impossible to assess whether the investment has lived up to its hopes.

Is Europe’s longest hotel an architectural hit or a landscape-destroying putty.

Large hotels like the Golebiewski mentioned in the introduction are often accused of destroying the landscape. Investors are accused of destroying unique areas. Activists or environmentalists, residents of tourist areas as often see tourist facilities as an opportunity to develop the region, as well as a threat. In addition, it is difficult to find information about LEED and BREEAM certifications. Mainly office buildings are now certified, however, hotels are also applying for them. This gives prestige and shows the social and environmental responsibility of the investment.

About the longest hotel in Europe it is difficult to find such data. This does not mean that the facility is not green or erected with environmental and ecological concerns in mind.

The facility is sure to generate huge interest. Already, a few days after opening, it is difficult on Booking to get a reservation. Hotel Mercure Resort In Szczyrk will not be just a curiosity. 4 stars is prestige. It is also the highest level of exclusivity, an idea of revitalization and a huge potential for development. May the investment actually enrich the region without disturbing its natural charms.