Damian L.
Yelp
This hotel is lacking so much. This once great property is falling apart in so many ways. FIRST, the service is so far from luxury it is shocking! THE LIES, THE LACK OF BASIC SKILLS, THE SHADY business practices!
Now for the details, this hotel was once the Kempinski Prague, and with the name goes the service and the knowledge on how to manage a fine luxury hotel.
I booked this property as an American Express Fine Hotel and Resort, this hotel needs to be removed from that program, I have already reached out to my contacts at American Express, more on that later.
The check in process was a total shit show, first off the front desk is located in the center of the stairwell there is no room for more than 2 people to check in at a time, and that is tight. There is no lobby it is a hallway with the world's slowest lifts. It is a grid lock of people. Not to mention some type of movie was being filmed in the hotel and there was equipment and people all around, the guest were treated like they were in the way.
Even though a perk of booking with AMEX is that you get an early check in, guess what nope, also should get an upgrade, I got the room I booked the Duplex suite, I was told it was an upgrade. LIE #1. I asked when the room would be ready, I was told after 3, but more like 4. WHAT? Check in time for the hotel is 3. I asked for my bags to be stored, at this point they are on a cart in the small, congested check in area. The door man just left them there.. I was told he will take care of it. I waited for the door man to arrive back and I asked him if the bags would be locked up. He said, if you wish, yes. At this point I think the bags are going to be locked up I ran to the restroom only to return to see my bags still sitting on a cart in the middle of all these people, and this door man doing something for the movie crew. I stood by the bags and he then ran over and put them in a room, later to find out is the front desk office that is under the steps. Hours later when I return to see if the room is ready this small area is filled with peoples bags unlocked just sitting there. There is ZERO attention for your things at this hotel DO NOT TRUST THEM!
ALSO THEY WOULD NOT TAKE MY AMERICAN EXPRESS CARD for room charges and extras, remember this hotel is part of the AMEX fine hotels and resort collection and they made up a story that the card machine cannot take AMEX!
The staff were just there, nothing that would impress you, and really, they just depressed me. I know the hotel is in a non-English speaking land, but English skills should be found on the guest facing staff. IT WAS NOT! The English proficiency was bad.
I found the worst was in the restaurant, of the outside area full of bugs and birds and the smell of cigarette smoke. It took over 15 minutes for anyone to come to my table, then once I ordered my drink it took 22 minutes to arrive. I also ordered food and it was not great at all. I wanted a second drink from the bar but the waitress could not understand, Vodka Neat, she said Ok... and then the bill arrived.
Here is shady-ness part 2. Part of my booking I get $100 USD credit for food and drink, so I wanted to charge to my room. I was told 201 is not your room, I was like here is the key and my stuff is in that room. She said you must pay with card! NO! After some back and forth and checking, she said you don't have to sign anything just go.
Then the MOST shocking thing, as I was leaving the hotel at the front door in plain sight there was a list of all the check in guest for the day, with FULL NAMES, and ROOM Numbers. This was located very close to the street but also in the open, not behind a counter. Your personal information is just out in the open.
So as a test, I went to the desk, at this point different staff was working and I said I lost my key card. Gave my name and room number and they handed me a key, no ID check. So if you want to see what is in the rooms at the Grand Mark in Prague, walk in the front door look at the list of names and room numbers, walk to the desk give them a name and room number and get a key!
When it was time for check out, I had to carry my 2 large bags down the steps as the movie crew was using both lifts for something and would not let me near them.