Anyone who hasn’t been to Szczyrk since the days of the Polish People’s Republic can now rub their eyes in amazement. The “iconic” Orle Gniazdo recreation center, which once belonged to Huta Katowice, has undergone a complete metamorphosis. It has been transformed into a huge, chic hotel.
The Eagle’s Nest in Szczyrk was an icon “under Gierek”
The Eagle’s Nest, built in the late 1970s, is a piece of the city’s history. Located on a picturesque trail to Klimczok and Skrzyczne, it was very modern and luxurious for its time. It had double and triple rooms, several bars, restaurants with a disco and a swimming pool.
Total metamorphosis. Architects have gone crazy
Then, during the free market, tourist preferences changed and the hotel began to lose popularity. There was also no idea for its development. Ultimately, in 1999, Huta Katowice sold the Eagle’s Nest to private investors. In 2021, the facility was acquired by the international hotel chain Accor. Its reconstruction then began, which is now nearing completion.
What is the end of this transformation? Impressive. The Mercure Szczyrk Hotel has nine floors. Not only is it one of the tallest hotels in Poland, 600 meters above sea level, but it is also the longest hotel in the country. It measures three hundred and thirty meters in length. It has almost five hundred rooms for one thousand guests, as well as conference rooms, bars, restaurants, a swimming pool and even a helipad.
The architects went crazy. The front of the building and its facade refer to the history and its name, as it somewhat resembles a nest.
How do residents approach this transformation?
Szczyrk Mayor Antoni Byrdy told Business Insider that there are many concerns. Some say the city with less than 6,000 inhabitants will have to deal with even more tourists and cars.
In the mayor’s opinion, the city will benefit from a luxury hotel. As Byrdy points out, hotels are more advantageous for small tourist towns than, for example, investments in development. – In such cases, most people do not live permanently in the resort and do not pay taxes here. However, such a large hotel brings measurable tax benefits – the mayor emphasizes and argues that this is important, especially in the current situation, when local governments find themselves in an increasingly difficult financial situation. Photo: Mercure Szczyrk Resort
