We finally, after checking options, pricing, logistics etc., just booked flight into Prague on 7/11 and return on 7/20...we'll probably stay there a few days then get out and around to see other parts of the country or other relatively close places...by train or car...having never been to Prague, what would work best = the 'problem' is lodging options for a 3 person group - my husband & myself and our 22 yr. old daughter...no need or want for any fancy or US hotel, something clean and well located but fancy stuff is not needed...thanks for the usual good leads....Victoria

Hello Victoria

If you are looking for something a little different and want to avoid the typical US and tourist hotels please consider the following places to stay and visit

Cesky Krumlov
Pension Ve Vezi
Pivovarska 28 381 01 Cesky Krumlov
tel.: +420 380 711 742
www.ckrumlov.cz/pensionvevezi
(this is tower! Cesky Krumlov is a UNSECO site)

Prague
Pension BoB
Kovárenská 2a
Praha 6 – Lysolaje 165 00
http://www.pensionbob.cz/en/index.html
tel.: +420 2 20920718
fax: +420 2 20921924
(a nice B&B a quick bus and metro ride away from the center of Prague)

Olomouc
Hotel LAFAYETTE
Alšova 8
779 00 Olomouc
CZECH REPUBLIC
http://www.lafayette.cz/english/default.htm
(the other Prague before Prague became "discovered". There is a lot of important history linked to the hotel)

G

Victoria,

We have quite a few hotel reviews for Prague...

I have had this place bookmarked forever... haven't stayed there but it looks really nice and could work well for the three of you.

Castle Steps

I hope when you get back you will write a review of wherever you end up.

Happy planning,

Thanks much...I need to do my trip report on Crete and then was just in Venice, so need to do that...but yes, I will share whatever information I can as possible....we talked to our daughter last night who says she wants us [we three] to see things other than Prague, since she will have spent a week there already, so looks like we'll arrive, train it to some place [Poland?] and then back for last few days [yes I know Prague would justify a week...not in the cards this time...whetting our appetites seems to be what is done often!] Victoria

Have you made your hotel reservations yet, Victoria? I have been to Prague three times over many years. Two years ago, we stayed at the Hotel Tyl in Prague, along with my brother and his family. It is in a busy area, but it is very conveniently located, being close to all kinds of transportation and within walking distance of many attractions, such as Wenceslas Square. The rooms are small but clean, and the breakfast is plentiful. One of these years, I'll get around to writing a review of it, as well as of our entire trip. (But I've been promising to do that, as well as reports on later trips, for months, if not years.)

As for dining, we found the Mozaika Restaurant excellent. Someone my sister-in-law knew in Prague recommended it, and we weren't disappointed. It is in the Vinohrady (Prague 2) residential section of Prague, away from the tourist crowds (good!), but not really hard to get to by public transportation. (BTW, you should become familiar with public transportation in Prague; it is quite good. You can get passes for several days at the airport and elsewhere.)

Incidentally, I think there is more than enough to see and do in Prague for at least a week, so don't rush out too quickly. There are lots of free concerts, etc. Prague Experience is a good site to use to find out what is going on, how to get tickets, etc.

Enjoy your trip!

Ann

By the way, it's no longer in "Czechoslovakia," but in the "Czech Republic." Also, just read your comments above about time you'll have in Prague. Sorry! We took the express train to Warsaw from Prague, and it still took several hours. Other usual destinations in Poland, take longer to reach and are less direct. Why not visit other places in the Czech Republic?

Haven't finalized much at all yet so all the links and info is great...we may try to train or drive to near Warsaw & see where my father was a POW...

AND THANKYOU -- I don't know why I blanked on the proper name of the Czech Republic!!! I can't edit it I gather....but am glad you pointed it out.

My husband and I were in Prague last summer, also in July. We made our lodging arrangements with prague-city-apartments.cz and had a GORGEOUS one bedroom apartment, with very modern appliances including a washer and dryer in Residence Karolina, but I'm sure you can reserve a two bedroom in that building, or one of their others, if you need to. We found the managers of the company to be fabulous. Prior to leaving the US, I contacted the management via email and arranged for us to be met at the train station and transported to the company's office (we arrived in Prague from Krakow). In spite of the fact that the train was late, we were met and everything went smoothly. Residence Karolina is in a very convenient location and we walked from there all over the city, seeing every one of the main attractions. Prague is an absolutely beautiful city with a lot to see and do. Don't rush away from there, but if you are really pressed for time, you can see all of the main attractions in 3 or 4 days. ENJOY!!!

quote:

Originally posted by phylmokap:
My husband and I were in Prague last summer, also in July. We made our lodging arrangements with prague-city-apartments.cz and had a GORGEOUS one bedroom apartment...

Hi! philmokap, you have here all the makings of a complete vacation rental review. Please consider writing one; to do it, please start here! Thank you!

We have reservations at the Prague Marriott, but I am so tempted to switch to the Marriott Executive Apartments because we will be there a whole week.

Does anyone know how long it will take to walk to the Old town (at a normal-slow pace!)?

Thanks

Sadie,

I just lost a rather long reply I had written because the metro map I tried to upload was too big to be attached! I'll try to remember what I had written.

My opinion: I think a move to the Marriott Executive Apartments would be a good idea. It appears to be in a nice location in New Town (Nove Mesto) and isn't too far from Old Town (Stare Mesto). I can't say how long a walk would take, but it wouldn't be bad. However, as I mentioned above, Prague has an excellent public transportation system, and you can get multi-day passes, which are both convenient and reduce costs. (See this site. There's a link on it also to the metro map which I couldn't attach.)

It appears that the closest metro stop to the Apartments would be I.P. Pavlova, on the red line. We used it two years ago since it is also close to Hotel Tyl, where we stayed. You'd take it one stop to the Museum station and then change to the green line to the Mustek or Staroměstská stop. It's really easy, and there are also a number of trolleys and buses you could use. The numbers of these lines are also shown on the map.

Of course, you could also get off at the Museum stop, visit that interesting museum, and walk down Wenceslas Square, perhaps stopping for lunch or something to drink on the way.

In sum, I'd highly recommend this move. It would take you away from most of the tourist crowds and noise and still put you in a convenient location that would allow you to reach most of the places you'd want to visit in Prague quite easily.

Thanks, Annie. I am going to look at the website.

I just looked at the map. I think I will have to learn the language (or get hold of a dictionary!) They say it is a 10 minute walk to Wenceslas Square. I wonder if that is for fast walkers or slow????

I also read that it is a 10 minute walk from Wenceslas Sq. to the old town.

If these times are for slow/normal pace, not so bad.

What do you think?

Sadie,

I still would urge you to consider using public transportation. There is a lot of information on the Internet (like: this site and this one), and you can get printed maps.

The language shouldn't be a problem. Most people in the tourist areas speak English. You'll soon learn the Czech names for public places (e.g., Nove Mesto and Stare Mesto) just by looking at maps, other websites, and whatever books you'd consult. For example, a good word to become familiar with is "námĕsti" for (public) "square."

Ann

I have been to Prague three times and I would say that as long as you are staying not too far from the Old Town, you can EASILY walk it all and/or supplement with the subway for a few stops.

Honestly, with a week, you won't be pressed for time. Prague is not that large. In fact, the Old Town will begin to feel like a large village after a few days!

I totally recommend renting bikes or taking a leisurely bike tour. There are also a few outfits that do walking tours. Otherwise, it's a really easily navigable city and it's fun. There can be hordes of tourists, but it's nothing like Florence, which was the worst I've ever experienced (sadly, as Florence was my 'dream city' in high school--E.M Forster fan that I was ).

Someone mentioned Cesky Krumlov (Krumau). I've also been there several times because it was a nice little getaway spot for us when we lived in Munich. It is ADORABLE. Totally worth visiting!! A bit touristy, but only because it is so quaint and picturesque. There are other wonderful towns to visit. I did see a few south of Prague on one trip we made in 2004. Have a look at my photo albums and see if any strike your fancy. They are best reached by car.

I've also been to Terezin/Theresienstadt outside of Prague. This is a former concentration camp/ghetto. It is depressing (all of them are), but fascinating. I recommend it if you are interested in that period of history or if you are heading northwards. I did not post photos of that trip because I left the digital behind and only had 'hard' photographs.

Sarah Walker's old travel photos

I have yet to go to Poland, but I hear good things!! There should be far fewer visitors there, I would presume! There are other alternatives (countries West/South, etc.) but you'll have to figure out what your family desires to see.

Thanks to all those who supply info and links, it's been a great help =- we too are planning a trip to Prague, then off to sidetrip to Poland and back for deep involvement in Prague = looking at a number of apartments [it's myself, husband and 23yr old daughter] that seem perfect then I wondered about street noise = I am focusing on places in Old Town if possible, near the Bridge or Clock = but wondered about noise in that area. Any suggestions? Much thanks

Victoria,

I would really recommend that you NOT stay in Old Town near the main tourist destinations. As I and others have said above, Prague is not that big and has excellent public transporation. There would be a lot of noise and foot traffic until well into the night. We have never stayed in that location during three trips to Prague.

Other options would be New Town (Nove Mesto), perhaps at the Marriott Executive Aparments which Sadie mentioned. Or you might do as locals do and locate in Vinohrady (Prague 2), which is a lovely residential area. Another possibility is across the Vltava River in Mala Strana. Since I just looked at this, it appears that these locations would be cheaper than Old Town also.

Ann

Just want to let you know that we chose the Marriott over the Executive Apartments. AND we chose it for location! I felt it would be easier to come and go from there. I will let you know when I return, but that may be too late (Oct)

Sadie,

Have you been to Prague before? If the Marriott you chose is the one at this location: V celnici 1028/8, it certainly is not one I would choose. It is not in Old Town and the tourist sites, but in the far end - away from the action - of New Town (Nove Mesto). The only thing it is really close to is the main train station, and a major highway runs nearby.

I think several of the suggestions I and others have given above would be much more convenient and enjoyable.

Ann

P.S. Well, I guess I could be wrong. I just read several positive reviews on TripAdvisor which say it is very convenient. It's just located in a different direction from the center than I'm used it going and apparently is primarily a business hotel.

I just went back to TripAdvisor. If you want to stay in the center, I personally think that the Savic Hotel (#3 on the list) and the Icon Boutique Hotel (#6) are in better locations than the Marriott (#49). Whatever you choose, though, enjoy your visit!

Thanks, Ann. So confusing! We got an excellent price at the Marriott. When I first posted, the apartments had a good prepay price, which is now gone.

I just noticed rave reviews on the Courtyard Floria (I think that's the name). But I think it is too far out.

We will be there a week and will take a few day trips. So if the Marriott is close to the train, that may be a good thing. I remember from past experiences in other cities, after a day trip, we are pretty tired.

I haven't cancelled my Meteor Plaza reservation yet. I think it is fairly close to the Marriott, a little less $$, includes breakfast, but somehow I am leaning towards the Marriott.

The funny thing is that in my young days, I would have scoffed at a chain hotel and now I welcome a large bathroom and king bed!

Sadie,

I really don't want to confuse you any more, but have you looked at venere.com ? We used them in planning our last trip to Prague (and elsewhere). You can get some very good deals through them. They also rate the Savic and Icon Boutique Hotel highly. Check out the Icon Hotel. It looks very interesting - as well as comfortable. The Falkensteiner Hotel Maria Prag also seems like an attractive possibility.

Ann

We stayed at this Prague Marriott
in June of 2006 ... and loved it! It was an easy walk to everything...!!

The rooms were wonderful... and we had access to the Executive Floor due to my husband's status as a frequent customer. If you have access to Executive Floor, you will get wonderful free breakfast every day, snacks and drinks throughout the day and unlimited internet usage. There is also an exercise room.

I think you would be VERY HAPPY at the Marriott.

Karen

Thanks, Karen. We don't have access to the Executive floor, but we did get a good rate. We probably will go out for breakfast.