Where to stay in Prague
Hotels for all budgets.
Royal baroque fantasy
Alchymist Prague Castle Suites
Feel like royalty in this Baroque fantasy in a 15th century mansion with a pink-and-white façade, right below the Prague Castle walls. The opulent décor means brocaded bed linens and drapes, chandeliers, murals and marble bathrooms in eight spacious guest rooms, each with its own butler. Gilded furniture and ornate ceilings adorn public areas, where a daily wine and cheese tasting takes place. A terrace faces the castle, where breakfast is served in summer. Its bigger sister hotel, also Baroque-style luxury in Mala Strana, Alchymist Grand Hotel & Spa, has 45 lavishly-appointed rooms and suites, a spa Bali-inspired in its art, design and treatments, and Aquarius, an Italian restaurant.
A former 1284 monastery
Augustine Hotel
In a former 1284 monastery in Mala Strana, this Luxury Collection hotel's thoughtful renovation has enhanced its distinctive features. Rooms are in Czech Cubist-style or contemporary décor, many have vaulted ceilings, and have castle, courtyard or garden views. But the unique Fresco Suite features 19th century wall frescoes, a parquet floor, marble bathroom and terrace. The spa uses recipes from Augustinian monks - try the exfoliation treatment that uses St. Thomas dark beer and hops. Sip Angel Cocktails in the Refectory Bar (look up at the soaring barrel-vaulted ceiling for the divine inspiration). The restaurant in a glass-enclosed courtyard serves European and Czech specialties, but groups can reserve ex-St. Thomas Brewery cellars to dine.
Dedicated to music
Aria Hotel
In this music-themed luxury hotel, each floor is devoted to a music genre, like classical or jazz, while each guest room is dedicated to a composer or musician, like Mozart, ABBA or Billie Holliday, with related CDs, art and books. Enjoy some of the music library's 5,000+ albums and over 800 movies on your room's Apple TV, or in a salon (one with wood-burning fireplace). Guests get free access to Prague's oldest Baroque, Vrtba Palace Garden, behind this Mala Strana hotel. Some rooms have views of the terraced garden (a top spot for weddings), but if yours doesn't, the rooftop terrace has a gorgeous view of domes and spires. The restaurant, named Coda, offers gourmet Czech food in a striking Art Deco space.
Modern Art Deco
Emblem Hotel
This arty hotel employed an array of Italian, French, Dutch and English designers for its stylish contemporary spin on Art Deco, and Czech artists stayed free in exchange for their on-loan art. Just left of Old Town Square, the Emblem offers a free art walk when guests can learn about Czech art and design styles from Art Nouveau to Cubist, and often get free tickets to fashion shows and music festivals. All 59 rooms have marble bathrooms, while the Library Suite has a "secret" bedroom and an extra-large copper bathtub behind a bookshelf. The spa has a rooftop terrace with a jacuzzi and panoramic view, and spa products from Pure Altitude in the French Alps use all-natural ingredients, such as edelweiss and Arctic berries. The restaurant, George Prime Steak, is a US-style steakhouse that also serves seafood with a long California wine list. Sociable communal areas include a cigar lounge and the members-only Maharal Club, which guests can use.
The #1 hotel in Prague
Hotel Residence Agnes
This modest-priced gem, a five-minute walk from the Old Town Square but located on a peaceful alley in a bright-pink 14th century building, is ranked the #1 hotel in Prague by tripadvisor.com, mostly for its incredibly kind staff. Arrive at the cozy family-run 22-room hotel and staff sit you down with a welcome beer or wine, ask how they can help on your visit, recommend restaurants and tours, and sometimes take you there. You're plied with free snacks and drinks during your stay, while the buffet breakfast included in the room price offers enough choices to pack a lunch.
Oriental luxury experience
Mandarin Oriental Prague
This luxury hotel in an ex-14th-century monastery in Mala Strana has the world's only spa located in a former Renaissance chapel. While rooms feature contemporary design, many have vaulted ceilings and castle, cobblestone street or garden views, some with terraces. Room service and the fitness center are both 24-hour. The restaurant, Spices, offers Asian food from three countries (no surprise, from this Hong Kong-based chain) and there's also an all-day dining restaurant.
Text by Sharon McDonnell