Design Metropol Hotel Prague

The modern, all-glass facade of this eight-story hotel stands out among the older buildings that characterize this busy shopping area in the heart of Prague. Inside, the modest lobby is dark with low ceilings and a stark, industrial design that utilizes heaps of stainless steel and glass. Some of the curvy walls are oddly covered with beige shag carpet, and bright orange accents includes leather seating. The open lobby adjoins the café/bistro that continues the motif. With limited amenities and a central location, this value-priced hotel attracts mostly leisure travelers who come and go throughout the day on their sightseeing excursions. It’s a small and relatively quiet hotel with a casual vibe.

One of the hotel's chief selling points is its stellar location, walking distance to many of Prague’s top attractions. It  sits right on the line between Old Town and New Town neighborhoods, offering a good base for exploring either. Shops and restaurants are at every turn, and it's within a three-minute walk to a metro station and a tram station. A grocery store and pharmacy are just across the street. It’s a four-minute walk to Wenceslas Square and a six-minute walk to Old Town Square. A 10-minute walk can bring you to the 11th-century Powder Gate, one of the city's original gates. The 14th-century Charles Bridge is 12 minutes on foot. Traveling via public transit to Prague Castle takes 16 minutes. The Vaclav Havel Airport is a 35-minute drive or about 50 minutes by train.

Guest rooms are streamlined and starkly modern, almost to the point of feeling stripped down and bare. Ruby-red bed runners, drapes, and carpet are the sole spots of color dressing up the white-walled spaces. (There's no artwork to speak of.) Clear plastic is used extensively in headboards, nightstands, and chairs. Storage space adjacent to the beds includes hangers and shelves. Flat-screen TVs are mounted high on the walls, a slightly awkward position. Bathrooms are compact, but not small by European standards. They're simple in design, too, with white ceramic sinks and white tiling around shower/tub combos or clear glass-enclosed shower stalls. Room options are Twin or Double (two Twins pushed together) in Standard or Superior categories (located on higher floors). Superior with Castle View Rooms are located on the top two floors and give views of Prague Castle off in the distance. Other rooms have views of the surrounding buildings. Despite being on a busy street, rooms are generally quiet, with those on the highest floors hearing the least ambient noise. Standard amenities include minibars, safes, and free Wi-Fi.

Design Metropol has a short list of features, but what it does offer adds to its convenience and value. For dining, the cozy My Bistro & Café on site features a free hot breakfast buffet that includes omelets and other egg dishes. Lunch and dinner items such as soups, pasta, and sandwiches also are served, and it has a full bar. Drinks are available on the rooftop terrace as well, which features sweeping views of the city including Prague Castle. The hotel provides room service, too.While there's no gym, the property does have a handful of business amenities. The hotel has one meeting room that can hold up to 32 people. A public computer is on hand in the lobby for guests, and free Wi-Fi is accessible throughout the hotel. Concierge services include valet dry cleaning and laundry, and assistance with securing transportation and tickets for sightseeing tours. Parking is available in a secure garage that’s a couple of minutes walking from the hotel.