Poland Hotels and Hostels

In past years Poland was a wonderful deal and accommodations could be found for costs that were dramatically less than their Western European counterparts. Unfortunately, those days are gone. The cost of hotels today is on par with what you might find in the rest of Europe. You can find many international chains in Poland now as well. In the major cities you'll find the Sheraton and the Hilton, among others.
While the cost of accommodation has gone up, the quality remains somewhat variable. In particular, it can be difficult to find a hostel of excellent quality. There is a national hosteling association in Poland that standardizes its member organizations, but you can often find a better quality hostel at a better price if you choose a hostel that is privately run and unaffiliated with the national association.

Finding the Best Prices

Because the cost of accommodation has gone up in Poland, travelers are often left to their own devices to find reasonably priced, or cheap accommodation. It's best to use similar strategies to what you might do elsewhere in Europe. Research online to make sure you're paying a fair price and getting a good deal for the accommodation type you desire. Read many reviews, which can be invaluable in choosing a good hotel or hostel. Also consider traveling in the off season, when prices are less and crowds are much thinner. It can be possible to book a package deal, which combines a hotel and airline fee. This often does require you stay in an international chain hotel though, which can be generally more expensive than locally run facilities.
The biggest trip to traveling to Poland is to understand your budget. You can't travel to this country anymore and expect unreasonably cheap prices. This is no longer the case. Come prepared to pay western prices for descent accommodation, and you will generally get what you pay for. Otherwise, you'll end your trip disappointed, and you won't have enjoyed the experience nearly as much.

Types of Accommodation

Poland has the typical accommodation types that you might find elsewhere in Europe. There are many budget, midrange and luxury accommodations. Local chains that cater to business travelers are actually a great option if you're looking for a descent hotel at a reasonable price. These hotels are often in great locations as well, with some good amenities.
There is a hostelling association in Poland, but unfortunately many of the affiliated hostels are of frustrating quality and impose very strict curfews. These hostels also cater to school groups, which means the halls are often flooded with young, loud, students that can greatly detract from your experience.
Alternatively, you might consider a private hostel. These can be hit or miss, so do read many reviews before making your final selection.