The Best Hotels in Prague

"Nestled in the heart of the medieval Malá Strana district, just a few short blocks to the Charles Bridge and Prague Castle, the opulent Hotel Alchymist resides within four historic homes—the oldest from the 16th century—that were once connected by underground tunnels. But there’s nothing primitive about the property, whose nameis a reference to Prague’s 17th-century reputation as the capital of the dark arts. The hotel flaunts its Baroque pedigree in rooms embellished with gilt-framed mirrors, silk damask fabrics, plush four-poster beds, and loads of antiques and art. Guests have free use of the health club—fittingly located in a cellar where a crystal chandelier hangs over a mosaic-tiled plunge pool and an antique Chinese bed graces the relaxation area—but there’s also a spa and sauna for more targeted pampering. The Aquarius restaurant serves first-rate Italian fare (and a breakfast buffet in the morning), but to start dinner on the right note, head to the lobby bar for the complimentary wine and cheese tasting each evening."

"Fans of Art Deco will be in their element at the Alcron Hotel, housed in a 1932 building in Prague ’s Old Town and brought back to its former glory by esteemed hospitality designer Maria Vafiadis. Alighting in the lobby, with its gleaming marble and ceilings highlighted by period lighting, you’re following in the footsteps of such former guests as Winston Churchill and Charlie Chaplin. Rooms are sleek and stylish with mirrored walls, chrome accents, and spacious marble bathrooms with heated floors.Adding to the mystique is the property’s Alcron restaurant, one of only a handful of Michelin-starred restaurants in the city and where chef Roman Paulus holds cooking classes. If you’re looking for something slightly less rarefied, La Rotonde serves classic local cuisine, which can be enjoyed on the terrace in warmer months, while the Be Bop Lobby Bar serves inventive cocktails and snacks."

"Prague’s centuries-old connection to music survived occupation by both the Germans and the Communists, so it’s fitting that those deep roots strike a chord at Aria Hotel Prague , where all of the rooms are named after famous composers or singers, from homegrown sons like Dvořák and Smetana to contemporary icons like the Beatles, Ella Fitzgerald, and Elvis Presley. The hotel even has a music director who can point you to the city’s best performances, as well as assist with suggestions in the music library; guests borrow CDs or concert DVDs to watch in their rooms, which are all outfitted with hi-fi sound systems that include Marantz speakers, plus flat-screen TVs, Blue-Ray players, iPads, and Apple TVs. All 51 accommodations were given a head-to-toe makeover in early 2018, resulting in sumptuous rooms decorated in shades of soft peach, dusty rose, and sandy taupe, and combining a pleasing mix of antiques and modern furniture. During summer, the superb CODA restaurant commands stunning rooftop views, while the Winter Garden Atrium is cozy perfection in colder months with its piano recitals accompanying afternoon tea or wine."

"Gothic and Renaissance architecture meets modern design at Augustine, where 13th-century details like vaulted ceilings and 19th-century frescoes share space with Czech Cubist furniture and pottery. The seven buildings that make up the property—parts of which date back to 1284—formed some of the St. Thomas Church and Monastery, so you may even bed down in a room where Augustinian monks once slept (in fact, monks still have quarters here). The 101 rooms are a chic combination of old world charm and modern luxury, with generously sized marble bathrooms with heated floors and rain showers; suites have magnificent views of Prague Castle or an interior garden. The Refectory bar serves wickedly good “Archangel” cocktails, named for the subjects of the room’s Baroque frescoes, as well as St. Thomas Beer, brewed from the monk’s original 1352 recipe, but don’t let the spirits get to your head. There’salso a highly regarded fine-dining restaurant as well as a spa."

"This five-star concept hotel—the Czech outpost of the trendy French franchise—delivers on its promise of Asian-inspired luxury while artfully avoiding the tackiness that can sometimes creep into a theme hotel. The Parisian-based brand is known for its high urban-hip quotient, and this property is no exception: With its dim lighting and signature red-and-gold color scheme, the vibe is opium den–chic; events include live DJ nights and burlesque shows in the restaurant/lounge, and rooms come stocked with a music library curated by Buddha-Bar. All of the 38 rooms and suites feature a stand-alone tub embellished with adragon mosaic and separate shower, lacquered furnishings, and high-tech gizmos like TV screens embedded in the bathroom mirrors, remote-controlled curtains, and VoIP phones. And the centrally located address (in a renovated historic residence in the heart of the Old Town) is just a quick walk to the Charles Bridge, Wenceslas Square, and the Old Town Square and in a neighborhood crowded with restaurants, bars, and shopping."

"Even if it weren’t arguably the grandest hotel in all of Prague , you’re simply not going to find a more centrally located address than the five-star Four Seasons. At the foot of the Charles Bridge in medieval Old Town—with views across the Vltava to Prague Castle in one direction and over the Jewish Quarter and Rudolfinum Concert Hall in the other—the 157-room property is, in fact, three distinct historic buildings—one Baroque circa 1568, another Neoclassical from 1827, and the last an 1883 Neo-Renaissance edifice—tied together by a contemporary main building built in 2001. Given a sumptuous makeover by renowned French designer Pierre-Yves Rochon in 2012, the rooms and public spaces feel at once stylishly modern and timelessly refined. Though the neighborhood’s attractions beckon, don’t miss a chance to dine at CottoCrudo, the riverside Mediterranean restaurant and bar that is considered one of the city’s best."

"Prague is packed with accommodations housed in historic buildings of the Baroque, Neo-classical, and Art Nouveau variety, which is what makes Hotel Josef so refreshing. On the edge of the old Jewish Quarter, just a short stroll from Old Town Square, the property is an unapologetically modern glass-and-chrome structure designed by Czech architect Eva Jiřičná. The 109-room boutique lodging eschews Old World excess in favor of clean lines, minimalist design, and neutral palettes with the occasional pop of bright orange or red, hot pink, or cobalt blue. Suites on the 7th or 8th floor are worth the splurge with walk-out balconies where you can enjoy breakfast or a cocktail; bathrooms range from enclosed limestone to entirely glass. Though the hotel doesn’t have a restaurant, there’s an on-site French bakery in the breakfast room for morning pastries. Other cool amenities include a rooftop bar, a leafy garden for relaxing, and free three-hour use of a retro scooter."

"This five-star hotel is the best of both worlds, blending the contemporary luxury that Mandarin Oriental is known for with the charm of a unique historical complex—in this case, a Dominican monastery in the Malá Strana. Working carefully to retain the property’s heritage, the brand preserved period features of the Baroque, Gothic, and Renaissance eras, like vaulted ceilings, stone doorways, and exposed wood beams, while incorporating Asian-influenced accents like lacquered ginger jars and sleek furnishings. Due to the singular nature of the grounds, no two of the 99 spacious rooms are alike; some suites have Czech crystal and artwork and views of the original cloister garden, the city, or Prague Castle. The public spaces are just as intriguing, including a grand ballroom that was once the monastery’s refectory and a spa where a glass floor reveals the remains of a 14th-century chapel."

"Just a short walk to Wenceslas Square and the Jewish Quarter, NYX is a hip design hotel that pairs urban flair with Prague’s Rondo Cubist architectural tradition. Works by local street artists greet you in the main spaces, and the 91 rooms appeal to the younger set with interiors done up in bright colors and graphic prints, with large windows that let plenty of sunlight stream in; though some (but not all) tend to run on the small side, they’re generally a good value for the price. There’s no restaurant on site, but a breakfast buffet is offered for a reasonable fee of 10 euros, and the lobby bar serves drinks and snacks on Fridays and Saturdays from 3:30 p.m. until midnight."

"What do you get when you mix a little Don Draper, a bit of Andy Warhol, a smidge of The Jetsons, and a touch of PeeWee’s Playhouse? The vision of two local architects, the cheerful Vintage Design Hotel Saxis a paean to post-war optimism in the Malá Strana neighborhood, where each of the 23 affordable accommodations are individually decorated with restored vintage furniture and artwork, colorful geometric wallpapers, and retro pieces. Rooms aren’t particularly spacious but are comfortable nonetheless and include amenities like smart TVs, free WiFi, and air conditioning. There isn’t an on-site restaurant, but the lobby bar sells salads and sandwiches throughout the day, and a space off the lobby stocks free coffee and tea, as well as wines and soft drinks for purchase. The complimentary breakfast, however, is served buffet style (you can pay to order à la carte items) and can be enjoyed from the hotel’s fourth-floor terrace overlooking Prague Castle and the Petřín Lookout Tower."