Hotel in Prague, central location

You’re planning a weekend in Prague and would like to be as much as possible in the centre and avoid loosing time in public transport?

When looking up on internet, you’ll notice that a great number of small hotels or “boutique hotels” will tell you that they are very well located, but some of them may oversell themselves. They’ll indicate a central location even though you may need to take public transport for each of your visits. So as to help you in your research, here below are best locations to be, when visiting Czech Republic’s capital.

Good location to visit and get around

Namesti Republiky (Republic’s square) is amongst the most visited places. You’re at one end of the pedestrian street called Na Prikope (know as the famous Prague shopping street), 5 minutes away from Staromestké namesti (old town square), and close to many restaurants. This location benefits from very good public transport connections with 4 tram lines, 3 night tram lines, and a metro station. To get to the airport, you’ll only have to go to the nearby bus stop and catch the Airport Express (AE) or Cedaz shuttle – for more information, have a look at our articles on Prague taxis or on Prague public transport.

On Namesti Republiky, you’ll find the MGallery Hotel Century Old town or the Ibis Praha Old Town which is slightly cheaper. Nevertheless, the first hotel offers better value for money.

Next to the Jewish quarter (Josefov)

If you can be located next to Pravnicka Fakulta (Prague’s law university), this is also ideal. You’ll then be able to visit most of the city without using the public transports.

On one side you’ll see Letna hill and on the other side Parizska (Paris street) that leads you to the old town square, the astronomical clock, and you’re only steps away from the Jewish quarter. As far as hotels are concerned, you’ll find in that area the Intercontinental hotel which was one of the most sought-after hotel at the end of the 80’s. It is not as prestigious as it used to be, but its facade was recently renovated, as well as all rooms.

Great view of Charles bridge

Pachtuv Palace is located 200 metres away from Charles bridge, and if you’re lucky enough to have a Vltava river view, you’ll enjoy a fantastic panoramic view of Charles bridge and Prague castle (in Hradcany district). This luxury hotel is a historical monument, and was once Earl Karel Pachta’s residence, as well as Mozart’s. This won’t be the cheapest option in town, but it’s perfect for a romantic weekend.

This list is certainly not an exhaustive one, as these are only some nice hotels that benefit from a very good and central location, and are therefore convenient if you’re planning on visiting the centre.

Maxim, trendy bar & night club in Prague

Maxim (or should I say “M*XIM Bar”) is a club that opened about a year ago in Prague historical centre, and is located close to the old town square. Maxim has a cocktail bar on the ground floor, and a night club on their underground level. You’ll be asked to pay a fee to get in from 10 or 11pm, but only men will be asked to do so – it remains free for women.

The atmopshere is close to what you may get in any nice night club in a European capital – rather classy – and you’ll see girls (always gorgeous) dancing on each side of the bar. The music varies depending on the night – in any case, don’t expect to get cheesy music there at weekends!

Price wise, excepting the fact that you have to pay to get in (unusual in Prague), it is very reasonable. Drinks cost you about 150 CZK (approximately 6 euros), or even 100 CZK (approx. 4 euros) if you only get liquor. A bottle of champagne is about 2000 CZK (approx. 80 euros).

If you’re planning on going, don’t hesitate to book a table. It won’t cost you anything, and you’ll make sure you’re allowed to get in, even though the club is fully packed.

The bar is opened from 5pm to 2am, and the night club from 10pm to 5am (Friday and Saturday night).

Maxim Bar
Melantrichova 5
110 00 Prague 1
Tel (booking) : +(420) 776 151 517 or +(420) 778 401 330

 

Here below gives you a good idea of what it look like:

 

Potrefena Husa restaurants, Staropramen group

While walking in Prague’s centre, you will probably notice several Potrefena Husa restaurants. If you get in, you’ll see that they only have Staropramen beer or beers from the same group (for instance Stella Artois, which is distributed by Staropramen on the Czech market). This is simply due to the fact that this chain of restaurants was launched by the beer group.

A popular chain of restaurants

This chain of restaurants is very popular amongst the young working population (20-30 years of age), and the brand Potrefena Husa has succesfully developed in secondary cities namely in Plzen, Olomouc, Ostrava or Zlin. Potrefena Husa has now more than 30 restaurants operated in the Czech Republic.

Menus may vary depending on restaurants, but you’ll always find the Czech classic dishes (svickova, Plzen gulas, or pork schnitzel), as well as some very common international dishes such as burgers, chicken wings, grilled salmon and potato purée.

A great option for a cheap lunch

Some of the restaurants are located in the very centre – if you’re planning on going there for dinner, make sure you make a booking as they get very busy even during week days. At lunch time, you will be able to get the typical lunch menu (very common in Czech Republic) where you get a soup and a choice of 4 main dishes (one being light in calories). The soup will cost you approximately one euro, while the main dish costs from 4 to 6 euros – a great deal especially if you’re on a small budget. Still, one thing you may have to do is ask one of the waiters (who are always happy to help) to translate the lunch menu for you, as these are generally only on Czech.

Here below are some of Potrefena Husa restaurants in the centre :
Praha Hybernska – Dlážděná 1003, Prague 1 (Booking: +420 224 243 631)
Praha Národní třída – Národní třída 364/39, Prague 1 (Booking: +420 273 130 555)
Praha Vinhrady – Vinohradská 104, Prague 3 (Booking: +420 267 310 360)
Praha Holešovice – Dukelských hrdinů 696/43, Prague 7 (Booking: +420 233 931 003)

For more information and the menu, you may check Potrefena Husa website (only in Czech).