Warsaw Layover 2026: Chopin Airport Hotel & Pierogi Review

Hey there, I'm Diyoung, your travel blogger!

On my recent trip to Nice, I flew with LOT Polish Airlines,

which meant a Warsaw layover!

I only had a quick half-day to explore,

but I'm excited to share the amazing hotel and delicious eateries I discovered.

🗺️ Today's Destination

After 12 hours of flying...

Finally, Warsaw! What a welcome!

And can you believe the airport is named after Chopin? So fitting! 😉

But the romantic vibes were short-lived,

as immigration, predictably, took quite a while.

So many people, and at first, only one counter was open – talk about frustrating! 😩

Eventually, I made it through immigration,

and headed straight for the Mercure Warsaw Airport.

It was about a 10-minute Uber ride from the airport.

(Uber fare: ~$11)

Mercure Airport Warsaw

For a layover stay, choosing a hotel close to the airport is key,

and the Mercure Hotel was the perfect choice.

Just 10 minutes from the airport with super clean facilities – total satisfaction!

I booked a Superior Double Room for ~$135 per night.

The hotel lobby was wonderfully spacious and impeccably clean.

We only stayed for a short layover, of course,

but as the morning sunlight streamed through those expansive windows,

I couldn't help but feel a little boost of happiness!

Superior Double Room (for 3 people, ~$135)

When I mentioned there were three of us,

they had an extra bed thoughtfully set up for us in advance.

The luxury of having enough space to open our suitcases even with an extra bed – amazing!

The wardrobe was spacious, and there was even a full-length mirror,

perfect for those crucial OOTD checks! 😉

The bathroom was also wonderfully spacious and perfectly clean – just what you need!

No bathtub here, but a great shower stall.

For a layover stay, you really can't go wrong with

the fantastic Mercure Airport Warsaw Hotel!

​📍 Mercure Warszawa Airport

👇🏻Recommended Hotel Near Warsaw Airport: Mercure Airport

Agoda Official Site | Free Cancellation & Discount Deals | Over 2 Million Accommodations3ha.in

A Quick City Exploration

Even with a tight schedule, we couldn't resist a quick peek at the city, so out we went to explore!

That imposing building on the right? That's the Palace of Culture and Science, a true Polish landmark! It's home to theaters, cinemas, museums, and so much more.

As we were heading to grab a bite,

we serendipitously discovered this charming pretzel shop 🥨

The crowd drew us in, looking like a definite hot spot,

so we spontaneously hopped in line! 😂

Here's a rough idea of the prices.

Poland uses Złoty (PLN), and 1 Złoty is roughly ~$0.

So, about 8-10 Złoty would be around ~$2-~$3.

We couldn't resist grabbing one ourselves!

It wasn't the typical round shape but rather elongated, and of course,

it delivered that perfectly salty and savory pretzel goodness.

We were set on trying Polish pierogi, which led us here.

We didn't do any crazy searching, just picked it because of its fantastic

Google reviews.

Our dishes have arrived!

Potato Pancakes with Pork Goulash Sauce

Crispy Pan-Fried Pierogi, like dumplings

*Note

14. Pierogi z miesem (Pierogi with meat)

22. Placki ziemniaczane (Polish-style potato pancakes)

Crispy potato pancakes smothered in delicious goulash!

It's one of Poland's most iconic dishes.

The potato pancake was wonderfully crispy and utterly delicious,

and it paired perfectly with the rich goulash sauce.

While Poland might be a new destination for many,

its cuisine offered a delightfully familiar taste, making every bite a joy!

Next up, we tried Pierogi – a classic Polish delicacy bursting with a savory minced meat filling.

Just as you can see, they bear a striking resemblance to mandu, Korea's beloved dumplings!

And the taste? Almost indistinguishable from mandu!

We opted for pierogi delightfully pan-fried in oil until golden and crispy,

and they were gloriously crispy and wonderfully flavorful, reminiscent of perfectly pan-fried dumplings.

Absolutely delicious!

And for those who prefer, steamed, 'water dumpling'-style pierogi are, of course, also available!

Our first, and perhaps only, glimpse of Poland,

and what an incredible day it was!

This Polish layover truly was a resounding success!

And just like that, an unforgettable day gently draws to a close.

Next stop: the beautiful city of Nice!

🗺️

▼ Book your discounted stay at Mercure, a fantastic hotel near Warsaw Airport!

Agoda Official Site | Free Cancellation & Booking Deals | Over 2 Million Hotels3ha.in