Botel Matylda

Botel Matylda is one of only five boat hotels in Prague, and manages to be more than a local quirk. It has an elegant, classic style that's heavy on dark wood and leather. As one would expect on a boat, the interior is cozy, with narrow passages opening up to surprisingly spacious rooms, with a surrounding open deck up top. The wood floors and walls amplify the intimate vibe, and there are dark brown leather armchairs alongside oil paintings and the occasional sailor-inspired touch. Despite its setting, there's a bit of buzz here, as the restaurant is often frequented by passers-by, creating a lively atmosphere. The charming rooms and relaxing river setting create a romantic atmosphere for couples looking for a quiet spot in Prague, while not being too far away from the popular tourist sites.

The hotel is located on the Vltava River -- between the Joraskuv Bridge and Slovansky Island and opposite the Dancing House. The area is quite quiet, as it's just off the main tourist stretch. Nearby attractions include the National Theatre, a four-minute walk away, and an eight-minute walk into New Town. Some of Prague's main attractions -- like Charles Bridge and the Old Town -- can be reached in 15 minutes by foot, or a five-minute drive. While the hotel has a view of the castle, it's a 10-minute drive or 20-minutes on the metro to get there. The Jiraskovo Square Tram stop is a mere three-minute walk, and the Karlovo Square Metro stop is a nine-minute walk from the hotel. It’s a 20-minute drive to the Vaclav Havel Airport, but it takes about an hour to reach via public transportation -- the hotel also provides a transfer service for a fee.

Guest rooms are rather simple, with wooden features and simple furniture creating a classic vibe that's fairly handsome. All of the rooms feature wooden floors and at least one wood-paneled feature wall, plus dark red rugs, large oil paintings, and plain white bedspreads. Each features its own unique layout due to its position on the boat, and some will be quite snug. All rooms include minibars and free Wi-Fi, while only the Superior Rooms, Executive Rooms, and Suites have river views, flat-screen TVs, and air-conditioning. The seven Standard Rooms are on the Matylda boat, while the others are on the Klotylda boat. It may be a good idea to avoid the Standard Rooms, as guests have complained of rooms below the restaurant on Matylda being quite noisy. While the bigger rooms include additional amenities such as work desks, safes, and DVD players, all of the rooms lack coffee/tea-making facilities. En-suite bathrooms with stall showers are standard across the board, with toiletries, hairdryers, and heated towel racks.

Botel Matylda offers very few additional features, though what's here is nice enough, especially considering that this hotel is on a boat. A free buffet breakfast includes hot and cold options, and the restaurant on the Matylda serves Italian cuisine. It's often complimented on for their extensive wine selection. The restaurant is quite popular with passers-by, mainly due to the beautiful river views. The hotel offers limited parking that needs to be pre-booked, as well as an airport transfer service (for a fee). Free Wi-Fi is provided throughout the hotel.