Described in the first issue of Krakow In Your Pocket back in 1999 as ‘a legacy of the era of Soviet hospitality,’ you’ll understand why when you see it. Essentially looking like a cinder block set on top of some Lincoln Logs, construction on this concrete beauty began in 1978 and despite the ribbon cutting not taking place until 11 years later, it was still considered one of the most futuristic buildings in Kraków at the time. Awarded four stars, the hotel featured perks unknown in 1980s Krakow: air-conditioned rooms, an outdoor electronic clock with temperature displays, swimming pool, mini golf and casino. Having passed from the Orbis brand to the Sofitel in 2001 the hotel was closed at the end of 2002, because of a construction fault that led to frequent flooding of the basements, and its failure to meet modern regulations requiring rooms to be at least 2.7m high (Forum's are 2.2-2.4m). Today the riverside building is owned by the Wawel-Imos group, and the guest rooms are vacant with trees growing out of the balconies.

Though the hotel's long-term future is uncertain, it nonetheless lends out its former reception area and ground floor to Forum Przestrzenie and Hala Forum, plus a dozen other businesses which have combined to make this the city's biggest beer garden and riverside hangout. As essential to Cracovian culture now as it's ever been, head to Forum for street food from the indoor food hall or outside food trucks, craft beer from the multi-tap bar, cocktails, dance parties and a veritable sea of beach chairs along the river boulevard in summertime. The area around the hotel has become a magnet for other attractions as well, including a Ferris wheel and small fun park with fairground rides, and the Kraków Observation Balloon. There are also riverboat restaurants and floating hotels docked in front of the Forum.