Waterlane Vintage – Fitness & Gym by Blue Mandarin

Waterlane Vintage – Fitness & Gym by Blue Mandarin Overview

Waterlane Vintage – Fitness & Gym by Blue Mandarin sits at 17 Wałowa, right where the old town’s cobblestones meet the modern buzz of Gdańsk’s waterfront. I first spotted it from a café on Rejny Street, the kind of place where the barista knows your coffee order before you even say it. The building itself is a charming mix of brick and glass, its windows reflecting the Motława River like a silver mirror. When I walked in, the lobby was surprisingly airy, lit by natural light that poured in through a skylight over the reception desk. The staff were friendly, but what really hit me was the way the front desk clerk greeted me with a quick, “Jak mogę pomóc?”—a little touch of local hospitality that made the whole experience feel personal.

Honestly, the check‑in was smooth—no long queues, just a quick scan of your passport and a welcome drink that tasted like fresh citrus and a hint of sea breeze. I got my room key with a small note that said, “Enjoy the gym, the views, and the local street food.” The room itself is a cozy, mid‑size apartment with a kitchenette that’s fully equipped, plus a balcony that overlooks a quiet alley where you can hear the distant hum of trams and the occasional bark of a dog. The bed was a king‑size platform with memory foam pillows—super comfortable. The bathroom had a rain shower that made me feel like I was in a spa, and the tiles had a subtle vintage pattern that matched the hotel’s overall aesthetic. I appreciated that they had a small library of travel guides and a selection of local Polish books, which is a nice nod to travelers who want to learn a bit more about the city.

When it comes to the gym, Waterlane Vintage – Fitness & Gym by Blue Mandarin really lives up to its name. The fitness center is on the upper floor and offers a full range of equipment, from free weights to a treadmill that has a view of the marina. I tried the yoga class they host on weekdays; the instructor was a local trainer who speaks fluent English and Polish, and the class ended with a brief meditation that used the sounds of the river as a backdrop. The gym also has a small sauna, which I used right after a long day of exploring the Old Town. The whole place buzzes with a mix of fitness enthusiasts, tourists, and locals, so you get a sense of community without feeling crowded.

Parking is a bit of a hassle if you’re driving. There’s a paid parking garage on the corner of Wałowa and Stary Rynek, but it fills up fast during peak tourist season. My best tip is to use the complimentary “Blue Mandarin” parking app—sign up in advance and you’ll get a free spot in a secure lot near the hotel. The noise level is pretty low; the only weird sounds are the occasional construction near the waterfront, but that’s a small price to pay for being so close to the Old Town. I found the hotel is busiest between April and October, especially around the summer festivals, but if you’re visiting in November or December, you’ll find the streets are quieter—great for a relaxed stroll along the harbor.

A quick side note: the hotel has a small café on the ground floor that serves authentic Polish pierogi and a selection of local craft beers. I grabbed a steaming bowl of dumplings after my workout—definitely a must-try. And for those who love local art, the lobby is decorated with prints from Gdańsk artists, which makes you feel like you’re staying in a contemporary gallery rather than a hotel. The staff also gives out a handy map of the city that highlights the best spots to eat, like the famous “Pierniczek” bakery on Gdańska Street, and a few hidden gems like the tiny art gallery on St. Mary’s Square. All in all, Waterlane Vintage – Fitness & Gym by Blue Mandarin feels like a home base that’s both comfortable and deeply rooted in the local vibe. If you’re planning a trip to Gdańsk, this is the spot to consider—especially if you want to stay near the river, have access to a killer gym, and get a taste of the city’s local flavor without the usual tourist fluff.

Waterlane Vintage – Fitness & Gym by Blue Mandarin Accommodations

Reviews of Waterlane Vintage – Fitness & Gym by Blue Mandarin

• Erikas from Lithuania – 18 April 2025 (9/10)

  What could be improved: Coffe machine not working. Why?

• Elif from Turkey – 14 April 2025 (9/10)

  The location is perfect, at a short walking distance to Glowny train station, tram stop, museums, and daily shopping area. The historic building has been nicely renovated recently. It is compactly designed, comfortable, and stylish with very high ceilings and a nice garden. The building is spotless. The apartment was also cleaned perfectly with a full kitchen with a small fridge and dishwasher. The building has a small laundry room with washers and dryers which was helpful. We would rent the same apartment again.
  
  What could be improved: One lacking thing may be the kitchen aspirator, if you cook. Another small defect may be the host's level of confidentiality for not telling the apartment number together with the entrance codes until the last minute, although fully paid a week ago. I made an Amazon order, but did not give the apartment number info, so the order was returned.

• Sandra from Slovakia – 14 August 2024 (9/10)

  – covenient location
  very close to the railway station, 14 minutes walk to the city center (to the river and karuzel) and 6 minutes walk to the affordable parking (Podwale grodzkie 35 a day) and 5 minutes to our favourite Stocznia and Solidarnosc museum
  – comfortable beds and sheets
  – kitchen was equipped with the basic stuff like three pots, 2 pans, ladle, salt…
  – reactive stuff – we informed the stuff about the small problems (few detergents for washing machine, …) and it was solved on the other day – thanks especially to Kaja for her willingness
  
  – calm (not a busy street – only garbage men or can collector who came at 6:30 every working day – it is not anyones fault, just life
  – if you mind morning light ots good to use eyemask (curtains doesnt really block the light)
  
  I was thankfull to one reviewer who made comment about instructions for the gate code.
  He made it clear the word “key” meant the key icon on the gate door (and prevent me from desperate attempts to try to find keyboard to type letters or pressing “#”)
  
  What could be improved: They forgot to prepare the third bed for a kid but I found a blankets and stuff inside the couch and did it myself

• Iona from United Kingdom – 7 June 2024 (9/10)

  The apartment was very modern and very well equipped. We cooked quite a few times and found all the utilities to be in good condition. The decor for the apartment was also very nicely done. It was in a convenient location within a reasonable walking distance to the main part of the city, the train station and other key sites such as the dockyards. The building seemed very secure, with gates and multiple doors to access before entering the apartment. As we were young girls this was also important for us to know and so we would recommend this apartment to other young female travellers.
  
  What could be improved: Everything was to our satisfaction.

• Tadafumi from France – 4 June 2024 (9/10)

  Everything!
  
  What could be improved: Nothing!

• Ana from Belarus – 13 May 2024 (9/10)

  It’s a cozy and bright apartment, comfortable for 1/2 person/s
  
  What could be improved: There are only 3 machines in the gym, no proper mirror for yoga practice

• Sofia from Denmark – 6 April 2024 (9/10)

  Very clean and nice apartment equipped with everything you might need.

• Roman from Ukraine – 5 March 2024 (8/10)

  The instructions + photos were received beforehand.
  
  What could be improved: It took me some time to figure out the gate password, as there was "key" word between the numbers. Only after the thorough look at the gate lock, I've realized that the "key" word meant the key symbol.

• Karolina from United Kingdom – 24 October 2023 (9/10)

  Location, historical building, cleanliness, interiors.
  
  What could be improved: No blackout curtains, noise on Monday 9 am hoovering hallway.

• Anastasiya from Ukraine – 28 August 2023 (9/10)

  All about the apartment, it is very beautiful and location is amazing! Check-in is easy, only communication could be better, there are no other improvements in our opinion.
  
  What could be improved: The only thing we didn't like was a communication about check-in as it was promised that we will be told if we can check in earlier and then noone replied us. We found out that earlier (2h before) check-in is not possible only when we arrived at the property and called since no one replied to the messages. I think the communication can be better.

Surroundings

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