Novotel Warsaw Center

Novotel Warszawa Centrum, located at Marszałkowska 94/98 in Warsaw, is a building with a rich history. It was constructed between 1972 and 1974 for the Polish travel agency "Orbis" under the name "Forum Hotel." It was one of the first high-rise buildings in post-war Warsaw, and its construction, designed by Sten Samuelson, was managed by the Swedish company Skanska. The hotel stood out with its monolithic light-brown facade featuring hundreds of small windows, which drew criticism in the press. After its opening in January 1974, the facility offered 752 rooms and could accommodate up to 1,386 guests, making it one of the key destinations for foreign tourists. Among its notable guests were the delegation of U.S. President Jimmy Carter and the band ABBA. In 2002, after being acquired by the Accor hotel group, the hotel was rebranded as Novotel Warszawa Centrum. It underwent a major renovation between 2004 and 2005, during which its facade was repainted gray and the entire interior was modernized. The hotel was upgraded to a four-star standard and became the location for several diplomatic missions, including the Embassy of Portugal and the Embassy of Libya. Nearby, the Solec Hotel was built but later demolished in 2006, making way for the Ibis Budget Warszawa Centrum. With its significant architectural presence and storied past, Novotel Warszawa Centrum remains an important landmark on Warsaw's cultural map.