Hotel International Prague

This monumental 16-story building is a Prague landmark that was built in the Soviet era during the 1950s. It has a large and impressive lobby that’s highlighted by beautiful marble floors and columns in shades of black, gray, and brown. Rich wood paneling, wall tapestries, coffered ceilings, and lots of upholstered furniture in damask patterns are also part of the traditional decor that resembles American Art Deco in some respects. It’s a striking lobby, but the cavernous space feels a bit impersonal and a few of the regal touches can read as old fashioned. Several past guests have even reported getting somewhat lost as they roam around the huge hotel. Containing one of Prague’s largest inventories of event space, the hotel gets plenty of traffic from corporate meetings, weddings, and other social events. It’s also popular with tour groups. 

Hotel International is located in a quiet residential section of Prague 6, north of the city center. The location could be a deal-breaker for tourists that want to be walking distance to attractions, and it’s a bit isolated, but there are a few restaurants and bars that are less than five minutes away on foot, plus there's a supermarket that's just a two-minute walk away. Buses stop just outside the hotel, and there's a tram stop a three-minute walk down the street. The Praha-Podbaba train station is an 11-minute walk away, while the nearest metro station can be reached in 14 minutes on foot. Popular sites like the Old Town Square and Charles Bridge can be reached in about 20 minutes via public transportation, or about 15 minutes driving. Prague Castle is 10 minutes by car or 21 minutes via public transportation. It takes approximately 25 minutes to reach Vaclav Havel Airport by car, or 40 minutes by public transportation.

Guest rooms are clean and tastefully decorated in a modern style that utilizes lots of wood and earth tones. Except for 22 Executive Rooms that were renovated in 2016 and feature new decor, the rooms are full of attractive wood -- including furniture like armoires, desks, and headboards, as well as doors and paneling with an amber finish. The striking wood elements exude a sophisticated ambiance. The rest of the decor features shades of light brown and beige on the walls, drapes, carpet, and upholstered furniture. White bedding, along with high ceilings and large windows, create a bright and airy feel. Windows either overlook the garden area or face the city, and some rooms on higher floors have sweeping views. The rooms are generally quiet, although some of the street-facing ones can get ambient traffic noise. Standard, Superior, and Executive Rooms are roughly the same size. They’re not overly spacious, but they are roomy enough to include armchairs. Bathrooms are average in size and include spacious granite vanities and white tiling on the floors and walls framing the shower/tub combos. Standard amenities include room service, free Wi-Fi, safes, magnifying mirrors, and coffeemakers. Standard and Superior Rooms have empty mini-fridges, while Executive Rooms and Suites have stocked minibars and add extras like robes and slippers. All rooms but Standard ones include access to the Club Lounge that offers free snacks and drinks. 

For business travelers, features at the Hotel International Prague are unbeatable. This hotel is one of Prague’s largest conference facilities, with 15 separate rooms that can accommodate up to 1,200 people. A business center and free Wi-Fi are part of the meetings package. Its two restaurants -- Harvest and Symphonia -- serve international and Czech cuisine in formal spaces that match the hotel's upscale status. A continental breakfast buffet is included in room rates, and the Armstrong bar features live entertainment. Other amenities include a fitness center with a sauna, a gift shop in the lobby, as well as a landscaped garden area with a children’s play set. Concierge services include arranging airport transfers and valet dry cleaning and laundry. Parking is available on-site, but it’s not free. An ATM and currency exchange services are available in the lobby. Pets are welcome with a surcharge. Wi-Fi is free throughout, though there have been some complaints about the signal in the past.