Though Łodz is the third largest city in Poland it often gets treated like the country’s very own redheaded stepchild. Lacking a twee Old Town like Krakow or the painful tale of post-war reconstruction that Warsaw boasts, it gets easily overlooked – never was that more obvious than with the recent Euro 2012 tournament, where Poznan, Gdansk and the aforementioned Krakow and Warsaw served as host cities while Łodz was left out of the loop.
But you know who doesn’t seem to mind the outsider role? Łodz itself. Which is probably what makes the city so appealing to outsider auteur David Lynch, a man who – like Łodz – has never quite fit in. The Hollywood filmmaker has become a champion of the city and a booster of the new cultural center that will be constructed here, and continues to talk about adding his own film studio as well. Łodz industrial past, which is still very apparent in the city’s architecture, is part of what makes it (in Lynch’s words) “one of the most interesting cities in Europe.”
Hotels and resorts
Andel’s
http://www.vi-hotels.com/en/andels-lodz/
Part of the striking Manufaktura cultural complex on the city’s northern edge, the 278-room Andel’s Hotel
is one of the most inspired examples of Central European architectural recycling since the post-1989 meltdown of the Warsaw Pact.
The British architectural firm Jestico & White has brilliantly transformed a former redbrick Victorian Gothic textile mill into an edgy postmodern space that respects the building’s history.
Rooms are cozy, with very comfortable beds with Asian floral headboards and throw pillows, and have high ceilings delineated by the cast-iron joists once necessary to support heavy weaving machinery.
Ambassador Centrum
http://www.hotelambasador.pl/Centrum/home
The hotel is located in the heart of Lodz, at the Pilsudski alley, which is a part of the city’s main artery. Ambasador is situated a few minutes on foot from the Piotrkowska street, within easy reach of all the tourist attractions and entertainment venues.
Ambasador is the second 4-stars hotel in Lodz, with single, double rooms and suites. Spacious, warm-coloured rooms are equipped with air conditioning, safe and free Internet access. Guests can use a swimming pool, Jacuzzi and sauna.
Galleries
Galeria Ars Nova
http://www.arsnova.pl/?pid=main
Open since 1997, the Ars Nova Gallery specialises in promoting young Polish artists at home and abroad. Worth checking are their occasional auctions raising money for handicapped charities.
Balucka city gallery
This art gallery is spread out among several buildings. It was created by the City Council in 1951, with the aim of providing refined entertainment for the citizens of the city. The Gallery was at first called the “The Bureau of Artistic Exhibitions”, but with the fall of communism it was renamed to something less tongue-breaking.
Design Centers
International design festival
http://www.lodzdesign.com/uni/?lang=en
Held every year in October. Hosts various exhibitions and design events.
Restaurants
Polska Restaurant
http://www.restauracjapolska.net1.pl/
Homely climate, perfect style and elegance will satisfy even the most demanding tastes. They offer you a wide assortment of exquisite dishes created by very experienced chefs.
Soplicowo Restaurant
Centrally located just off Piotrkowska, they mainly serve Polish cuisine.
Sofa
http://www.restauracjasofa.pl/
An overtly trendy eatery that gets thumbs up for not just delivering on the style front, but also on the substance. Recent renovations and a menu overhaul have only improved the place – the small house hidden in a courtyard off Piotrkowska is thoroughly stylish but still comfortable and the food has been streamlined into a simpler list of international fare that still holds surprises.
Museums
Museum of Art in Lodz
http://www.muzeumsztuki.lodz.pl/
Museum of Art in Lodz is a platform for artistic innovation and experimentation, social and political involvement, and seek new ways to create knowledge and share it. This program is a continuation of the avant-garde project undertaken at the turn of the 20s and 30s twentieth century.
Central museum of textiles
http://www.muzeumwlokiennictwa.pl/
The first attempts to reach the organization in 1952, when Christine Kondratiukowa led to the creation of the Department Weaving Art Museum in Lodz. Due to the success of the project department was transformed into a branch of the Museum of Art
City art Gallery
http://www.miejskagaleria.lodz.pl/galeria/default.html
The City Art Gallery enjoys an appealing setting, being housed within a beautiful Art Nouveau style villa, which was built at the very start of the 20th century. Many visiting art exhibitions are regularly staged here and are often rather contemporary in their style, attracting modernist artists from all over Poland and beyond.
Country club living
A&A Golf club
Poland’s largest driving range also features a 9-hole course and a Pro Shop for equipment rental or purchase
Showrooms
Paradyz Ceramika
http://www.paradyz.com/en/showrooms/showroom_in_tomaszow_maz
Experienced consultants will assist you in selecting tiles for a specific interior and their architects will help you to create a fully professional interior design for the interior of your dreams.
Interbud
http://www.interbud.interservis.pl/
The show brings together a large number of qualified industry experts from this sector under one roof and the latest developments and market updates are closely deliberated upon here. Participants can avail of extensive networking opportunities at the show. Different types of high quality windows and doors, flooring products, garden designing tools, construction equipments and interior decoration themes are put on exhibition.
Luxury properties
Glo-con
http://www.glo-con.com/property_directory/region/Lodz/country/POLAND/real_estate/Y/
Full-range directory service for real estate and property rentals. At Glo-Con.com, we connect vacationers and home buyers with property owners/managers worldwide.Glo-Con.com provides an easy-to-navigate, online directory of thousands of properties worldwide
Luxury Homes network
http://www.luxuryhomesnetwork.com/poland_lodz/
Provides real estate and property information to guide homeowners and homebuyers through the process of selling and buying a house, condo or other luxury property in Lodz Poland
Spas
Coen Spa & Weellness
Top day spa offering all kinds of pampering and wellness options. Relaxing place with great staff who know their stuff and take a genuinely personal approach to looking after you.
Swiat Kobiet
http://www.swiatkobiet.net.pl/
Świat Kobiet translates to “World of Women,” but it might as well be world of pampering based on the long list of services offered. From head to toe this salon leaves nothing out.
Art shows
Teatr Powszechny
A very popular theater in Łódź that hosts many well-known plays and a few festivals.
Teatr Muzyczny
http://www.teatr-muzyczny.lodz.pl/default.aspx
Musicals and operettas are the main plays here.
Points of interest
Manufaktura
It is the largest shopping mall in the city and probably one of the most unique shopping malls in the world because it is located in old factory buildings
Piotrkowska Street
It is one of the longest commercial streets in Europe and one of the major attractions in the city.
Lodz Opera House
http://www.operalodz.com/en/index.php
Saint Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
A rare example of Orthodox architecture in Poland. A rare example of Orthodox architecture in Poland.
Notable residents
- Daniel Libeskind, architect
- Jerzy Kosinski, writer
- Hanna Zdanowska, politician
