Hotel Yasmin

"Prague has Gothic spires and Baroque curlicues aplenty, but modern designer hotels have long been a local rarity. Enter the Yasmin, which combines outlandish retro-futuristic décor with moderate prices. Don’t expect fluffy robes, fancy vanity sets or slippers. But each of the 198 rooms (including 11 suites) has plenty of pleasing touches, including hidden jasmine-leaf motifs which make even the smallest doubles seem new again on the second day. The sage-and-sand color scheme, sleek fabrics and funky light fixtures come from Czech designers Barbora Skorpilova and Jan Nedved, who also created the hotel’s far-out restaurant and bar, where dozens of furry orange sculptures and large silver globes create a Seuss-like atmosphere. Despite the low prices — look for even better bargains via internet bookings — Hotel Yasmin feels like it could cost twice as much, with a great location near Wenceslas Square, a well-equipped workout room, sauna, and surprisingly gracious service."