Rarely has a hotel served as many different functions as Jaskółka Dom i Spa, from a Soviet retreat to a Franciscan convent to a high-design boutique getaway in Poland’s Giant Mountains.
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In the 1960s, when Poland was under Soviet control, the mansion known today as Jaskółka Dom i Spa was owned by the Polish government, which transformed it into a retreat for its most prominent members. They came to relax on the verandas and admire the panoramic view of the Karkonosze Giant Mountains. Little else is known about this time period. Only rumors circulate, fueled by the village elders.
“During the Soviet era, everything was very secret, so there isn’t much information,” explains Tatiana Mrowiec, head butler of the Jaskółka. It’s said that Lech Walesa, President of Poland from 1990 to 1995 and Nobel Peace Prize winner, was a regular visitor. And he wasn’t the only one. The place is also said to have hosted Soviet astronauts in dire need of rest; an investigative book on the subject is displayed at the hotel. Yet somehow, these Soviet-era mysteries are only a small part of the Jaskółka story.
The Giant Mountains mark the border between southwest Poland and the Czech Republic. They’re thought to have therapeutic properties. This, at least, was the firm belief of Dr. Krüger, who, in 1894, built a luxurious guesthouse dedicated to rest and regeneration in the hilltop village of Szklarska Poręba. The house was equal to its surroundings — a majestic wood and brick Victorian decorated with gables and a tall spire, standing out amongst a backdrop of pine trees and snow-capped peaks. Dr. Krüger wasn’t the only one to believe in the virtues of this air. Nicknamed the “high lungs” of Berlin, the village of Szklarska Poręba, which belonged to Germany until World War II, was popular with wealthy Berliners who came here to get some fresh air.
The property didn’t remain a hotel for long. It was first bought by a silk merchant who made it his personal residence. It was then transformed into a convent, first occupied by the Brothers Hospitallers, before welcoming the Franciscan Sisters. This begins another period of secrecy for the house. If the walls could talk, they’d have much to say. From the hotel lounge, one can glimpse behind magnificent glass doors what must have been the confessional.
After World War II, the area was returned to Poland, and the Jaskółka made available to the whims of the Soviet empire. But all empires come to an end. The residence eventually became private property again. Today, it has circled back to its original function: a luxury hotel dedicated to relaxation. The five suites in the main house are moody, fashionable, and filled with period touches, while three light-filled apartment-style accommodations occupy a former coach house and feature earthier materials to match.
The new owners of Jaskółka have done everything they can to reintroduce the mansion’s early charms: “It took years of work by conservationists to restore Jaskółka to the state it was in a century ago,” says Tatiana Mrowiec. The building’s interiors have withstood myriad transformations and changing tastes over its past lives, but many elements have been preserved intact, such as the carved wooden ceilings, the windows decorated with stained glass, and a large dresser that sits in the living room. A small miracle when you consider that many buildings in the region have been destroyed or completely rebuilt over the decades.
Scroll down for a full FAQ about Jaskółka Dom i Spa.
Nuts & Bolts
A bite-sized breakdown of your most frequently asked questions about Jaskółka Dom i Spa.
Who comes here?
Jaskółka is for adults only, but otherwise, it’s the perfect place for travelers to this mountain region who want to trade the big resorts for a more intimate hotel with personality and detailed historical design.
When’s the best time to visit?
Each season has its own charm. Winter is ideal to go skiing and enjoy all kinds of winter sports. The rest of the year guests can go hiking and biking in the mountains. The waterfalls are particularly beautiful in spring due to snowmelt. In the fall, the forests turn golden-red and offer stunning landscapes with fewer tourists.
What else is there to do in the area?
Karkonosze National Park, with its stunning glacial valley, is a must-see. For the sporty visitors, the area has some of the best cross-country ski trails in Poland. The region also has a rich history with numerous castles and picturesque villages to discover.
Best room for a solo traveler? A couple? A family?
The hotel has 8 rooms, each with its own character. Solo travelers will particularly enjoy the Jaskółka No.4, a veranda suite with gorgeous views of the Giant Mountains. The Jaskółka No.2 historical suite is perfect for couples with its spacious bathtub for two.
What’s a design feature I would miss if you didn’t tell me about it?
Make sure to look up at the wooden ceilings; they’re original, lovingly restored, and feature beautiful, intricate designs. Make sure to look down at the parquet flooring as well.
Anything to say about sustainability, equality, and community?
You won’t find any single-use plastic items at Jaskółka Dom i Spa. The hotel also uses eco-friendly detergents, and dishes are made with seasonal products from organic and sustainable farms and producers. In the summer, herbs and greens come straight from its own garden. To minimise food waste the chef also adapts his recipes to the guests’ preferences and dietary restrictions.
Are there some standout amenities you’d recommend?
The spa offers signature treatments and embraces a holistic approach, combining care for the body, mind, and soul. The hotel is also surrounded by a 2-hectare garden with a pond and plants from the South of Europe planted in the 19th century by Dr. Krüger.
Without further ado, what’s there to eat?
The restaurant of the hotel offers a different menu every day, based on seasonal ingredients, sourced from sustainable farms. In winter, root vegetables and fermented foods are often used. In spring, asparagus, fresh salads and soups such as nettle, sorrel and young beet greens take center stage.
Tell me about Tablet Plus?
At the time of publishing, Jaskółka Dom i Spa offers Tablet Plus member privileges, including a room upgrade at check-in (upon availability), complimentary bottle of wine in room, thirty minute back massage per guest, and an outdoor hot tub bath experience.
The final word?
The Jaskółka Dom i Spa has lived many lives, but in the end, it returned to what it does best: providing the perfect mountain retreat.
Book Jaskółka Dom i Spa on Tablet Hotels.