Just back from Prague. Recommendations
Feb 18th, 2006, 01:37 AM
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Just back from Prague. Recommendations
We just got back from our 5 days trip to Prague - beautiful city. I'll give a rundown of some things we found useful - but would be willing to answer more queries.
Flew Newcastle to Prague with Easyjet (first time with EJ). No problems at all, easy check-in and decent flight - surprisingly roomy for leg space. No seats are allocated, you choose as you board.
Used Hotel car for transfers as this was included in our package, but plenty of taxis about. The driver was a mild mannered chap till he got behind the wheel - then he turned into a maniac. No seatbelt law there!
Hotel Paris (Pariz) was close to Old Town, right beside the lovely Municipal Building. The hotel was beautiful Art Nouveau style, the staff were fantastic, breakfasts excellent and served in the beautiful dining room. We had dinner one night in the Sarah Bernhard Restaurant in the hotel - which again was part of our package - it was good, but I've had better - we'd have been a bit disappointed if we'd paid the price they were charging for non-residents. Also, the drinks we ordered were probably the most expensive price we've ever paid anywhere!
Generally, the famous Czech beer ranged from 11kronas to 109K (about 20pence to over a £
, it depends where you were at the time. Old Town Square drinks were expensive, but it was great sitting out at night under patio heaters with the great views - so worth it we thought.
A little further down the road you come to Bethlehem Square, some good cheap pubs here and nice little cellar bars. One of the best value meals were in Klub Architekti. Its in the cellar of the Archtecture gallery in Betlemske Nam (Bethlehem S.), I'd recommed it for good simple food, cheap drink, candlelit cellar and good staff - but you must book it's very popular.
On the way up to the Castle we found Jo's Bar - great for mexican and very reasonable for food and drink - nice and cosy too.
Kozicka Restaurant @ Kozi was another place recommended on this site - so we checked it out. In a cellar bar again and it was full, but they totally neglected us. We sat ages before being served, then it took over 1 hour for our meals to come and we had to go looking for the waiter to even get a second round of drinks while we waited - we got an half hearted apology. The food was Ok - tried the steaks as suggested here, but food was luke warm and nothing to write home about.
Boat trips are still running about 270Kr per person that includes in a drink on board, but the guys selling them pester a bit as you walk by - they are on commission.
Wenslas Square - we visited only once during the day when we were sightseeing. We thanked our lucky stars we hadn't chosen a hotel there - it was so grotty. Other people might think differently though as many shops are based there, it depends what you want. We wanted a romantic place and thats what we got in the old town area.
Castle is lovely, we went up that area a few times during our stay - great views up there. We walked everywhere, I had my pedometer on and we totaled over 20 miles during our stay. But no sore feet!
Weather - we got lucky - it was bright sunny days mostly, crisp and clear. Wrap up warm though.
Back at the airport everything went smooth again - its a nice modern airport with quite a few shops, but all the stuff they sell is cheaper in the City so don'tleave it to the airport if there's anything special you want to buy.
We had a fantastic time in Prague and would recommend it to all age groups - we are in mid-forties and our daughter and boyfriend are 20, we each got different things from the trip. But if your looking for romance - you can easy find it in Prague!
Flew Newcastle to Prague with Easyjet (first time with EJ). No problems at all, easy check-in and decent flight - surprisingly roomy for leg space. No seats are allocated, you choose as you board.
Used Hotel car for transfers as this was included in our package, but plenty of taxis about. The driver was a mild mannered chap till he got behind the wheel - then he turned into a maniac. No seatbelt law there!
Hotel Paris (Pariz) was close to Old Town, right beside the lovely Municipal Building. The hotel was beautiful Art Nouveau style, the staff were fantastic, breakfasts excellent and served in the beautiful dining room. We had dinner one night in the Sarah Bernhard Restaurant in the hotel - which again was part of our package - it was good, but I've had better - we'd have been a bit disappointed if we'd paid the price they were charging for non-residents. Also, the drinks we ordered were probably the most expensive price we've ever paid anywhere!
Generally, the famous Czech beer ranged from 11kronas to 109K (about 20pence to over a £
, it depends where you were at the time. Old Town Square drinks were expensive, but it was great sitting out at night under patio heaters with the great views - so worth it we thought.A little further down the road you come to Bethlehem Square, some good cheap pubs here and nice little cellar bars. One of the best value meals were in Klub Architekti. Its in the cellar of the Archtecture gallery in Betlemske Nam (Bethlehem S.), I'd recommed it for good simple food, cheap drink, candlelit cellar and good staff - but you must book it's very popular.
On the way up to the Castle we found Jo's Bar - great for mexican and very reasonable for food and drink - nice and cosy too.
Kozicka Restaurant @ Kozi was another place recommended on this site - so we checked it out. In a cellar bar again and it was full, but they totally neglected us. We sat ages before being served, then it took over 1 hour for our meals to come and we had to go looking for the waiter to even get a second round of drinks while we waited - we got an half hearted apology. The food was Ok - tried the steaks as suggested here, but food was luke warm and nothing to write home about.
Boat trips are still running about 270Kr per person that includes in a drink on board, but the guys selling them pester a bit as you walk by - they are on commission.
Wenslas Square - we visited only once during the day when we were sightseeing. We thanked our lucky stars we hadn't chosen a hotel there - it was so grotty. Other people might think differently though as many shops are based there, it depends what you want. We wanted a romantic place and thats what we got in the old town area.
Castle is lovely, we went up that area a few times during our stay - great views up there. We walked everywhere, I had my pedometer on and we totaled over 20 miles during our stay. But no sore feet!
Weather - we got lucky - it was bright sunny days mostly, crisp and clear. Wrap up warm though.
Back at the airport everything went smooth again - its a nice modern airport with quite a few shops, but all the stuff they sell is cheaper in the City so don'tleave it to the airport if there's anything special you want to buy.
We had a fantastic time in Prague and would recommend it to all age groups - we are in mid-forties and our daughter and boyfriend are 20, we each got different things from the trip. But if your looking for romance - you can easy find it in Prague!
Feb 18th, 2006, 01:50 AM
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We are going to Prague in Sept and I was wondering what does things cost there like Restaurants and hotels? The stuff I have read about Prague says it's not exspensive while I hear from others that it is? what do you think it compares to? Paris, Munich, L.A,?
Feb 18th, 2006, 09:21 AM
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It's like anywhere else - some places cheap and good value, some expensive. Do your research before you go, that's what I always do. For instance, I got us a great deal at the 5 star Hotel Paris - it included transfers both ways, 1 nights dinner, bottle wine and strawberries in room on arrival - a red rose for each lady. Plus a CD gift after the valentines dinner. It was a great deal booked direct with the hotel. The best deals are not always with Travel Agents, etc.
Drink is as I said anything from 20p to over £1. All menus are posted outside, so you can check. Generally speaking I didn't think Prague is as cheap as everyone makes out. Hope this helps?
Drink is as I said anything from 20p to over £1. All menus are posted outside, so you can check. Generally speaking I didn't think Prague is as cheap as everyone makes out. Hope this helps?
Apr 18th, 2006, 07:36 AM
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Lynn,
We will be in Prague June 5- 10, 2006. Very high season and hotels are high.
My question : we are booked at the Hotel www.utribubnu.cz which is only 100 meters off the Old Town Square. I have read reviews on Trip Advisor and they have gotten mixed reviews.
Price is 4100cz per night.
Now we are also considering Hotel Kampa Garden on Kampa Island and just off the west end of Charles Bridge. This is a 3 star hotel just opened in Sept. 2005 and the reviews are great! Price for a deluxe double is 3490 Cz.
The Question: Is location in OT VERY important to all the activities in Prague? Should we pay a little more and keep the hotel U Tri Bubnu primarily because of the location?
Bottlm line: How important is the OT location?
WE are late 60's and early 70's so nightlife on the OT square is of little interest. More would like a peaceful location. Did you do many activities on the Mala Strana and Castle side of the river?
Thanks for your opinion!!!
Mary Ann
We will be in Prague June 5- 10, 2006. Very high season and hotels are high.
My question : we are booked at the Hotel www.utribubnu.cz which is only 100 meters off the Old Town Square. I have read reviews on Trip Advisor and they have gotten mixed reviews.
Price is 4100cz per night.
Now we are also considering Hotel Kampa Garden on Kampa Island and just off the west end of Charles Bridge. This is a 3 star hotel just opened in Sept. 2005 and the reviews are great! Price for a deluxe double is 3490 Cz.
The Question: Is location in OT VERY important to all the activities in Prague? Should we pay a little more and keep the hotel U Tri Bubnu primarily because of the location?
Bottlm line: How important is the OT location?
WE are late 60's and early 70's so nightlife on the OT square is of little interest. More would like a peaceful location. Did you do many activities on the Mala Strana and Castle side of the river?
Thanks for your opinion!!!
Mary Ann
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Apr 18th, 2006, 09:08 AM
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Butting in here for nanniebray:
Have you considered the U Krále Ji?ího (Penzion King George)?
I stayed there last month and can recommend it highly for location - It's about two blocks from Charles Bridge and maybe five or so from Old Town Square. It's a three-star with breakfast buffet included, a restaurant that was pretty good. We had one of their nice upper rooms for 3550 per night.
It might be a good way to split the difference in both cost and location.
www.kinggeorge.cz.
Have you considered the U Krále Ji?ího (Penzion King George)?
I stayed there last month and can recommend it highly for location - It's about two blocks from Charles Bridge and maybe five or so from Old Town Square. It's a three-star with breakfast buffet included, a restaurant that was pretty good. We had one of their nice upper rooms for 3550 per night.
It might be a good way to split the difference in both cost and location.
www.kinggeorge.cz.
Apr 18th, 2006, 09:09 AM
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Butting in here for nanniebray:
Have you considered the U Krále Jirího (Penzion King George)?
I stayed there last month and can recommend it highly for location - It's about two blocks from Charles Bridge and maybe five or so from Old Town Square. It's a three-star with breakfast buffet included, a restaurant that was pretty good. We had one of their nice upper rooms for 3550 per night.
It might be a good way to split the difference in both cost and location.
www.kinggeorge.cz.
Have you considered the U Krále Jirího (Penzion King George)?
I stayed there last month and can recommend it highly for location - It's about two blocks from Charles Bridge and maybe five or so from Old Town Square. It's a three-star with breakfast buffet included, a restaurant that was pretty good. We had one of their nice upper rooms for 3550 per night.
It might be a good way to split the difference in both cost and location.
www.kinggeorge.cz.
Apr 18th, 2006, 09:22 AM
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Lynn, I totally agree with your assessment of Wenceslas Square. Our impression was of too many American fast food joints and cheap teenage boutiques. We were also glad we'd stayed near Charles Bridge, instead of near Wenceslas. Actually, we wished we'd stayed on the Castle side of the Bridge, just to get away from the crowds.
Apr 18th, 2006, 11:52 AM
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The Kampa Island location is ideal. It is quiet, pretty in its own right and very convenient to old town. You won't be bothered by noise at night. The King George is closer to the old town square by about a five minute walk but at times there is noise from the restaurant/bar. Some folks found it a problem, others not. As a fellow senior I did not have any problems with the walk. To get on to the Charles bridge there are stairs or a ramp. The Hotel Kampa Island is completely non smoking and for me that is a real plus. The rooms in the back have the best views. There are good and reasonable restaurants nearby. The one at 14 Kampa is a favorite of mine.
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