Ambiance Hotel

The Ambiance Hotel occupies a beautiful late-1800s corner building with a remarkable yellow facade featuring decorative lintels, Juliet balconies, and top dormer windows. A mid-2015 overhaul of the entire property updated both the interior and exterior while preserving original architectural features. The entryway shows off high ceilings with elegant contoured and corniced detailing and is finished with large, orb-like pendant lights. The small reception and lounge area feels somewhat '70s in style -- with dark wood paneling and a color palette of beige and mustard yellow -- though everything is new. Beige microsuede bench seating and cup-shaped upholstered armchairs are clustered around small round tables. Fresh, clean, but with few extra frills, this straightforward property attracts mainly tourists -- including solo travelers, couples, small groups, and families -- who want to save money by staying outside of pricier Old Town. 

The hotel is situated in Prague 2, in a corner building that sits along a busy main road. Many hotels are in the neighborhood, and several eateries are within walking distance. The Old Town can be reached in about 20 to 25 minutes on foot, which might be a bit of a hike for some -- but the I.P. Pavlova transportation hub is about a five-minute walk from the hotel and offers metro, light rail, and bus connections to major attractions. Guests can walk to the Old Town Square, the Astronomical Clock, the Powder Gate, Municipal House, and other sights in 25 minutes or less, or 15 to 20 minutes via public transit. Wenceslas Square is under a 20-minute walk, while Prague Castle can be reached in about 25 to 30 minutes via public transit. The main train station is about a 20-minute walk from the hotel or nine minutes via public transportation, while Vaclav Havel Airport can be reached in about 25 to 30 minutes by car or 45 minutes via public transit. 

Guest rooms at the Ambiance are simple, clean, and built for function. Though decor is uninspired, it doesn't offend -- orange-hued wall-to-wall carpeting pairs with matching drapes and bedspreads as well as contrasting bare white walls. Light wood laminate furniture includes headboards, tiny nightstands, and small desks with chairs. Storage space is available in the form of large, open wardrobes, which include safes. Bathrooms are tiled in white and tend to be quite compact, with either shower stalls or shower/tub combos. Room sizes include singles, doubles (with one queen or two twin beds), and triples. Most rooms can accommodate an extra bed, but renting one incurs an extra nightly fee (infant beds are free). All rooms are air-conditioned and include LCD TVs with satellite channels and free Wi-Fi. Bathrooms include hairdryers and toiletry dispensers. Rooms do not have mini-fridges or coffee/tea facilities. Note that rooms facing the main road may get street noise. 

The hotel has few extra property features, and lacks some that are often found at mid-range properties, such as a restaurant, bar, or fitness facilities. The main draw here is a free breakfast buffet, which features a good but standard spread of cereal, fresh fruit, cakes, cold cuts, and a few hot dishes. For off-hours eating, there's a coffee vending machine, snack vending machine, and mini-fridge with a few cold drinks for sale, including water and beer. Common areas include a small lobby lounge, the breakfast area, and a nice outdoor terrace with some climbing plants, faux wicker chairs and tables, and bench seating. The hotel has a 24-hour front desk and offers concierge services like tour and ticket assistance. They can also arrange airport transportation, dry cleaning and laundry service, or childcare for extra fees. Pets are allowed for an extra fee. There is no designated on-site parking. Wi-Fi is free, and there is a computer in the lobby for guest use.