A Plus Hotel & Hostel

The A Plus Hotel & Hostel has the look and feel of a quintessential backpacker’s hostel with simple couches and wooden tables in the small foyer, a small reception window, and carpeted gray hallways peppered with flyer-studded bulletin boards and pamphlet stands. Interiors look slightly drab and dated, but contribute to the dormitory-like vibe, along with communal kitchens, bathrooms, and living room. Furnishings and facilities are old and simple, but most are kept clean. The property draws budget-minded tourists for its convenience and affordability rather than its frills. Travelers should note that the clientele of mostly young adults and students tends to get noisy at night.

Just slightly off Prague 1’s center and surrounded by plazas, hotels, and shopping areas, the hotel is in an ideal location for tourists. It’s a 15- to 20-minute walk to the Clementinum and Astronomical Tower in Old Town Square and to Wenceslas Square. Expect a two-minute walk from the Florenc tram and metro stations. About 24 minutes on public transport will reach the Charles Bridge, while it’s 30 minutes to Prague Castle and St. Vitus Cathedral. Prague International Airport is a 25-minute drive away.

With two-toned blue walls, wooden floors, and little else, air-conditioned hostel rooms are rather sparse and purely functional, as they have no real atmosphere or lounging space. Windows keep them from feeling too stuffy, but several rooms on the street side are also susceptible to considerable traffic noise. There are separate dorm rooms specifically for women, which is rare in the city. Quadruple Rooms contain four low, slightly ramshackle beds, and eight-bed rooms come with bunk beds. Guests note that beds aren’t the most comfortable. Basic tables and chairs are provided, along with single wardrobes in each room. Those with valuables can use lockers at the reception, which come with a deposit fee. None of the rooms have Wi-Fi. Each floor has shared bathrooms (separate for men and women), but the spaces could use a proper refurbishing, as shower curtains are old, and there are no areas to place clothes or towels while showering. Showers are also small and don’t allow for much privacy, though water pressure is decent. Guests who don’t have their own towels or toiletries can rent or buy them from the hotel.The Family Hotel Apartment is the most spacious and private option, though the sofas, carpets, and furnishings look shabby and dated. It comes with a TV plus its own kitchenette with a stove, oven, sink, fridge, and small dining table. It also has an en-suite bathroom with a walk-in shower with a handheld showerhead.

The best feature at this hostel is the A Plus Restaurant, where stone walls, a warmly-lit bar, and graffiti on the ceiling add interesting touches to the otherwise basic wooden tables. A daily breakfast is included with rates, and includes a simple but sufficient spread of meats, cheeses, breads, and cereals along with beverage machines and coffee-making facilities. Local food is offered for lunch and dinner at extremely reasonable prices.Those looking to cook their own meals can use the communal kitchens on each floor of the hostel, though not all guests clean up after themselves properly, so cleanliness can be iffy. Kitchens include stoves, ovens, sinks, dishware, cutlery, refrigerators, and small dining areas. Guests can mingle on the bright orange couches of the shared living room, which also includes a dartboard and a foosball table for extra recreation. Other features include a launderette with the option of paid laundry service. There’s also an internet corner with three free computers to use. Wi-Fi is available for free on the ground floor, in the restaurant, and in the living room. The reception staff loans out books, and occasionally the common areas hold exhibitions for well-known photographers, with prints available to purchase. Guests should note that there is no on-site parking facility.