Thamova 26, Prague, Czech Republic | (618) 248-8274
Comfortable and clean hotel with modern decor
Up-and-coming neighborhood with restaurants, pubs, and cafes
Easy access to town center via public transit
Guest rooms with flat-screen TVs and lightly stocked minibars
Some units have balconies with pleasant views of town center
Cycling and hiking trails along nearby riverbank
Meeting space with AV equipment and catering
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Located outside the city center
Bland, spiritless design throughout
No in-room kettles or coffeemakers; bathrooms lack toiletries
Breakfast costs extra
Guest rooms above restaurant can be noisy
Limited on-site parking (fee)
The three-pearl Hotel Charles Central may do little to wow you with design or amenities, but it adeptly covers basics throughout its mostly bland, functional 48 guest rooms, with a bonus balcony here and there. Plus, the once derelict neighborhood itself is the definition of up and coming, having been extensively restored in the past decade and welcoming an ever-growing number of young, hip professionals and all the attending restaurants, pubs, and cafes (cat cafe included). Perhaps best of all, Prague Old Town is only two metro stops away. Renovations of the nearby riverbank also added biking and hiking trails. To be closer to the buzz of Prague and add a touch more design flair, check rates at one of three Ibis hotels, in Mala Strana, Old Town, and Wenceslas Square.
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Scene
A mix of leisure travelers opt for functional design with minimal flair
There’s little spice in the air at the Charles Central Hotel, as the tenants of budget hospitality do not encourage design flair. While the outside looks the part of a Communist-era apartment building, the interior channels a more pre-fab, IKEA flavor, starting with the reception desk and tiny seating area. The breakfast room and restaurant offers a tad more character, with a few ferns, black-and-white photos of Prague, and stripy placemats, but that’s the extent of it. The only real action it gets is at breakfast, as the guests—primarily couples, friends, and families—fill up before a long day on the town.
Location
Business district outside the heart of the city center, but still convenient
Before floods deluged Prague in 2002, the neighborhood of Karlin was a decrepit virtual no-go zone for nonresidents. Afterward, wholesale renovation cleaned up the area and welcomed a new generation of hipsters, young professionals, and business makers, who bring the buzz. Joining them are ever-growing numbers of cool cafes, restaurants, and pubs. Adjacent the main metro station, Křižíkova, the hotel is only two stops from Prague's old town, and several tram lines that stop outside the station connect to much of the city. This puts most of Prague’s major sights within easy reach by public transit. The metro also makes the nine-minute ride to Prague's main train station, Hlavni Nadrazi, and the 50-minute ride to the airport relatively easy. Cabs may be faster, but during peak traffic times, not by much.- 11 minutes to Old Town Square via public transit
Rooms
Basic and clean but bland, with flat-screen TVs and lightly stocked minibars
Function trumps design in the 48 guest rooms, covering the bare bones of hotel amenities with a thin three-pearl padding. The IKEA influence is strong, with mostly pre-fab, blond-wood, insert-A-peg-into-B-hole wardrobes, desks, and beds (twin and twins pushed together to make doubles). There are wall-mounted flat-screen TVs, mirrors, and orange curtains, but walls and windows remain mostly bare and bland. All units come with lightly stocked minibars, safes, and free Wi-Fi, but no electric kettles or coffeemakers. The bathrooms only have stall showers and hairdryers, with no toiletries. Upgrading adds space and beds but not amenities, apart from a few front-facing rooms with balconies that offer views of the town center. Light sleepers may wish to request a non-street-facing room, as noise trickles up from the restaurant downstairs.
Features
Few features beyond restaurant, meeting rooms, and ticket desk
The functionality of the Hotel Charles Central means amenities beyond the basics are few and far between. However, two conference rooms are available for business travelers and can be supplied and catered for additional charge. A standard buffet continental breakfast is available each morning, also for additional charge. For hot meals close at hand, look no further than the ground floor pizzeria, which can get a bit too boisterous for guests in the rooms above. There is some limited private parking on-site, but it costs extra and is first come, first served. The 24-hour reception also arranges tours and tickets for Prague events. Wi-Fi is free throughout.
