Innside Prague Old Town

Large wooden doors open automatically and usher guests through this hotel's elegant, Neo-Renaissance facade and into a small, pleasant reception area. The lobby is chic and contemporary with a blond-wood reception desk, quirky hanging lighting, and numerous open wooden cube shelves displaying pieces of glassware. The hotel was opened in 2013 by Spanish investors, and interiors from a Spanish designer together with wall art by a Spanish artist infuse the property with a 21st-century Iberian feel that sets it apart from most Prague hotels. Hallways are smart and modern, with the building's historic remnants only really evident in the staircase's wrought-iron banisters and tall doorways. The overall effect is chic and urban, and the hotel attracts predominantly vacationing couples on weekend getaways and business travelers during the week.

The property is non-smoking, but during our visit we whiffed cigarette smoke inside; guests sometimes break the rules when the weather is cold. Competitors include the Grand Majestic Plaza, Grandior Hotel Prague, though most will prefer the Hotel UNIC for its more upscale rooms.  

The hotel is set on a quiet street in the central and largely picturesque Petrská čtvrť neighborhood of Prague, with plenty of the city's popular tourist attractions within walking distance. The Old Town Square with the renowned Astronomical Clock is around 10 minutes on foot, while famous and historic Wenceslas Square and its National Museum is a 15-minute walk away. The Charles Bridge that connects the Old Town with Prague Castle is five to 10 minutes by cab (or 20 minutes by tram). The Namesti Republiky subway and the main bus station Florenc are five minutes away on foot, and Vaclav Havel Airport is half an hour by car.

The hotel has 90 rooms, all of which are decorated in chic design that incorporates smart contemporary wall paneling as well as antique-style furnishings and damask fabrics. Expect heavy floor-to-ceiling curtains, dramatic inset fabric panels behind beds in lieu of headboards, and a bold accent color (we saw rooms with bed throws, pillows, and shag carpets in orange, purple, or green). Amenities include free fast Wi-Fi, tea/coffee facilities, flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, and well-stocked minibars. Generally spacious bathrooms are smart, with walk-in showers or shower/tub combos -- reports suggest bathtubs can be slippery. Views are also relatively unimpressive and some rooms are on the small side.

An extensive buffet breakfast is provided (free of charge) in the hotel's chic and spacious restaurant, which is also open for lunch and dinner, and serves an a la carte menu of modern takes on traditional Czech cooking. There's also a bar serving Czech beers and all-day snacks, as well as a small outdoor terrace. The hotel offers nothing in the way of health or spa facilities. Those arriving by car have access to secure underground parking (for a fee).