Astoria Hotel

While it's far from fashionable, the Astoria Hotel is a sound budget option for touring central Prague. Located in a masonry building with stained oak trim, the hotel has a serviceable, but bland, lobby with marble floors and a honey-colored wood reception desk under recessed lights. Inexpensive floral prints hang on the walls and there are a few sturdy sofas and coffee tables nearby, and uplighting from sconces. A lone computer sits near the reception desk. Just off the lobby is a bright room with a white, cove ceiling and small square oak tables set with orange placemats. This is the hotel's restaurant, where breakfast is served each morning. It's a cheerful and unfussy spot, reminiscent of a diner.

Guests at the Astoria Hotel can walk to many of Prague's most significant attractions, making the hotel's location its biggest draw. The Municipal House can be reached in three minutes on foot as can the Powder Tower, one of the city's original gates dating back to the 11th century. The iconic Old Town Square is six minutes away on foot. It's an eight-minute walk to the nearest metro station. The Clementinum, a complex of historic buildings, is an 11-minute walk. Wenceslaus Square, a vibrant section of the city with hotels and shops, is 12 minutes away on foot. The 14th-century Charles Bridge, linking the old and new parts of Prague, is a 15-minute walk. It's an 11-minute drive to Prague Castle or 19 minutes by train. The Vaclav Havel Airport is a 25-minute drive or 33-minute train ride from the hotel. 

Rooms at the Astoria are quite plain and rather dowdy with faded bed spreads and fabric covered headboards that sometimes clash with the wall paint. Some room decor is subtle, with blush-pink walls and darker blackout drapes and bedspreads, while other rooms are a bit louder, with rust-orange fabrics and carpets. Each room has a safe, flat-screen TV, and free Wi-Fi. There's also a minibar and coffee- and tea-making facilities. Views overlook the city, and, on the upper floors, Prague Castle, often from a pleasant terrace with cobalt-blue iron railings and woven furniture. The bathrooms tend to be small in the lower priced rooms. These are typically tiled in white with earth-tone accent tiles. Bathrooms have a shower/tub combo with a glass shield and modern fittings. There are hairdryers and dispenser toiletries in each room. Past guests have complained about noise from passing trucks. Single, double, or triple rooms are available, a boon for families.

The Astoria Hotel offers two solid features: free Wi-Fi and a free buffet breakfast of hot and cold foods, including oatmeal, fruit, and cakes. There are meeting rooms and access to a fax and copy machine. There's one computer in the lobby, although guests complain it is often occupied. The front desk is staffed 24 hours and includes concierge service. Dry cleaning and laundry services are available for a fee. There are porters on hand to assist with luggage or store it for free. Parking is available for a fee, as is shuttle service to the airport. Extra beds, cots, and cribs are available. The property is handicapped accessible, and pets are welcome here.