Header: Courtesy of Nobu Hotel
In the centre of Warsaw, at the corner of Wilcza and Koszykowa streets, a building stands out for its quiet style. Nobu Hotel Warsaw brings together two very different worlds: the clean lines of Japanese minimalism and the bold shapes of Art Deco. For half a decade, this spot has been a magnet for world travellers, business bosses, and food lovers.
The brand, started by actor Robert De Niro, chef Nobu Matsuhisa, and producer Meir Teper, is famous for its high-end hotels. In late 2025, the three founders even dropped by Warsaw to celebrate five years of the brand being in Poland.
Two buildings connected by one vision
The hotel is actually made of two parts that tell a story of the city’s past and future. One side is the old Rialto Hotel, which keeps its classic Art Deco bones. The other side is a brand-new modern wing. While these two halves look different and use different materials, they work together to grab your attention. This setup is built on the idea of omotenashi, a Japanese way of looking after guests with real care. Every visual part of the hotel, from the lobby to the rooms, is meant to make visitors feel looked after.
A glass landmark in a historic neighbourhood
The new part of the hotel is a glass building shaped like a trapezoid with floors that look like they are shifting. Designed by the Medusa Group and California’s Studio PCH, it was built on a tricky, odd-shaped lot that used to be a gas station. The designers had to be very careful to make sure the big glass structure fit in with the older buildings nearby.
One of the coolest features is the curved glass corner, which gives the building a smooth, rounded look. The outside is made of crushed glass that acts like a screen—it lets light in and gives guests a view of the Warsaw skyline, but it also keeps things private.
It’s all about textures
Inside the 116 rooms, the look is all about how different textures feel against each other. You will find rough concrete sitting next to warm wood and smooth travertine stone. The design team used patterned carpets and black finishes to give a nod to the 1920s, while also keeping things feeling modern. To add a local touch, the walls are decorated with art from Polish creators in the ASOM Collection.
“The architecture of Nobu Hotel Warsaw is defined by restraint, material honesty, and the idea of East meets West. Design details, such as the sculptural staircase in the main lobby leading to the first floor, light-reflecting surfaces in the rooms, and the ambiance of New York’s finest clubs, which guests experience at Jassmine Club, enhance the overall stay, making guests eager to return.”
architects Przemo Łukasik and Łukasz Zagała of Medusa Group
Hidden jazz and world-class dining
Beyond the rooms, the hotel houses the famous Nobu restaurant, known for its mix of Japanese and Peruvian flavours. There is also a Sake Bar and a secret spot called Jassmine. This underground jazz club feels like something you would find in New York, offering a moody, musical hideaway that is pretty rare for a hotel in this part of Europe.
Five years in, Nobu Hotel Warsaw is still one of the most interesting buildings in Poland. Mixing the history of Warsaw with a global brand’s style shows that you don’t need flashy gold or over-the-top decor to be high-end. Instead, it relies on honest materials, smart shapes, and a deep respect for the guest’s experience to stay at the top of the city’s hotel scene.
