Prague & the Czech Republic Guidebook
Best and worst accommodations:
Best: LIda Guesthouse, Prague
Why: I have to echo the feedback that others gave! Jan definitely goes out of his way to give amazing service, from a welcome with information about the city, to weather forecasts, to help with public transport info, etc. We did not get tickets to events, but he helped others with that as well. Truly exceptional service! We really liked the availability of beer, wine, and snacks...it was nice to come back at night and have a beer, and at a great price! The comment about the towels being kind of worn is accurate, but...they are certainly adequate. I think it would be a waste of space and weight to actually carry your own, as previously suggested! We found the internet access spotty using an iPad, but the access on their main computer in the sunroom was just fine. The are a short walk from the tram and also from the Metro, making access to anywhere in the city pretty convenient.
Joan in Fort Worth, TX USA 10/23/2011
Best: Jewel Hotel
Why: The hotel staff was so helpful in giving us maps and recommendations for concerts. The room was very clean and quaint and the buffet breakfast was great!
Kris in Parker, CO USA 09/30/2011
Best: A local guide in Cesky Krumlov, CR
Why: My wife and I were standing in the city square tying to find a RS recommended restaurant. A stranger stops and says "can I help you find something?" She walks us to the restaurant and we talk. She gives her name and I later see she's a recommended RS guide in Cesky Krumlov, Oldriska Balouskova. Later that evening I called her to arrange a walking tour for my wife and I and 2 friends. She was great!
Larry in Hauder, ID USA 09/29/2011
Best: A local guide in Cesky Krumlov, CR
Why: My wife and I were standing in the city square tying to find a RS recommended restaurant. A stranger stops and says "can I help you find something?" She walks us to the restaurant and we talk. She gives her name and I later see she's a recommended RS guide in Cesky Krumlov, Oldriska Balouskova. Later that evening I called her to arrange a walking tour for my wife and I and 2 friends. She was great!
Larry in Hauder, ID USA 09/29/2011
Best: Lida Guest House
Why: They were simply amazing. First, every guest is given a personal orientation to the city. Maps, sights... The owners carefully mark up your free map with key transit stops, attractions, etc, customized to your interests. I had done a decent amount of research, and still found this incredibly useful. Breakfast was incredible, generous and diverse. Rooms clean and nice.
Peter in Edina, MN USA 09/27/2011
Best: Lida Guest House
Why: They were simply amazing. First, every guest is given a personal orientation to the city. Maps, sights... The owners carefully mark up your free map with key transit stops, attractions, etc, customized to your interests. I had done a decent amount of research, and still found this incredibly useful. Breakfast was incredible, generous and diverse. Rooms clean and nice.
Peter in Edina, MN USA 09/27/2011
Best: Lida Bed & Breakfast
Why: Jiri and his wife are spectacular hosts! Jiri gave the most informative introduction to the city, transportation, restaurants, sites, and contact information that I have ever received from a hotel/b&b host.
You might want to bring your own towels however. I think the ones that they give people hail from the Cold War era and are very worn out.
Derek in Stuttgart, BW DE 09/07/2011
Best: Lida Guesthouse in Prague
Why: This was the best decision we made when planning our trip to Prague. Jiri and Jan go the extra mile to be helpful and informative. Wonder about the weather for the next day? Just ask them. They even offered to arrange our rental car and have it picked up at the guesthouse after we finished using it instead of our having to find the car return location and find our way back. Along with gracious hospitality, they know everything you need to know about how, what, where, when, and why when making plans. The rooms are clean, bright, comfortable, and quiet. The variety of food and drink available for breakfast makes a good start to the day. The subway is a 5 minute walk away from the front door. The computer sunroom is a nice extra. Wine, beer, juice, or soft drinks in the evening?...just sign for them. We'd enthusiastically return here and recommend it to anyone.
Jean Maly in Brenham, TX USA 08/09/2011
Best: Lida Guest House in Prague
Why: The Lida Guesthouse was a wonderful part of our trip, mainly due to the exceptional hospitality and gracious manner of our hosts, Jan and Jitka. Jitka was so helpful to us with a complete rundown on available transportation, tips for places to go to make the most of our time, and maps of the area. The rooms were attractive, spacious, comfortable, and super clean, and the area where the guesthouse is, was near enough to important sites, but just a little removed so that it was a quiet and peaceful atmosphere at the end of the day. We would recommend this place to anyone and we look forward to being able to return someday.
Bob and Sue in Clovis, CA USA 07/05/2011
Best: N/A
Why: N/A
Worst: N/A
Why: N/A
Stefan Ferraro in Gatineau, QC Canada 03/09/2011
Best: BUDGET HOTEL RECOMMENDATION: Florentina Boat hotel
Why: FLORENTINA BOAT HOTEL-BUDGET LODGING Located in Prague 1 on the Vltava River. http://florentina-boat.hotel.cz/accommodation/ The best rate I got for this hotel was on "www'booking.com"
WINTER LODGING ONLY. During the winter this hotel (which is actually a boat) is docked on the Vltava River near the Cechu Bridge and Parizska Street. The Location is GREAT!!!. It is rated as a 3 star hotel but I would say it is closer to 2 Stars. I would recommend this as a great budget offering if you don't need lots of fancy amenities. The rooms are TINY and I do mean TINY but for the price, location and views it couldn't have been better value and the staff was nice. Bed and Breakfast was about $31 a night for a single room and $46 for a Double in Nov/Dec. Lucky for me I got upgraded to a double room at no cost. You have beautiful views of the Prague Castle and swans swimming past your windows in the morning. The breakfast was plentiful as well. There is small bar and restaurant and you get 20% off the prices if you are a guest. The restaurant has very basic Czech food offerings but the daily special (a three course meal) was only $8 and very tasty. I would also recommend asking for a room on the Castle side of the boat for the best views.
Ann Clifford in Hoboken, NJ USA 12/04/2010
Best: Hotel Alton, Prague
Why: This was not in the book, but we highly recommend it. We were not pleased with Rick's close-in Prague choices, so with some temerity we struck out on our own. We needed a hotel with parking, and Hotel Alton appears to be the only one at a reasonable price. It is in a good location, a couple of blocks south of Wenceslas Sq, and right at the intersection of subway and tram lines. It was only 70 Euro with Breakfast, and private, secure parking was only 12 Euro. Excellent choice.
Ron in DeWitt, MI USA 10/13/2010
Best: Hotel Hastal
Why: I honestly cannot agree with some of the negative reviews published here before. This was already my 4th stay in this cosy little hotel and I can say that both me and my friends who stayed there were always very satisfied. The location is very convenient, the area is safe and quiet even at night, the rooms are nice and spotlessly clean and the service wonderful, this all for a very good price. I noticed some improvements since my last stay about a year ago, e.g. the new website www.hastal.com is much more attractive and user friendly, the restaurant is reconstructed, guests can use the wellness center, there is a safe in every room and the breakfast is more than plenty including sekt. But what really makes me come back to Hastal every time I am in Prague is the kind and personal approach of the staff and management. I´d like to thank especially Eva from the front office and Zuzana from the reservations. I really felt like a VIP there. First, I was greeted by the General Manager Kristian and his wife Jana (it might have been a coincidence but still). They explained that as they have many guests from the US (I met there my classmate from college, just imagine), they decided to offer a 20% discount to those who refer to Rick Steves´guidebook in their booking (lucky me!). Then I got a free welcome drink and upon my departure I was given a commemorative coin. Is there anything I have to add? Well, my friends say that I am a bit of a Prague addict, so if you have any questions about Prague, feel free to contact at julie.russell@usa.com
Julie Russell in San Francisco, CA USA 09/17/2010
Best: House at the big boot
Why: The staff were AMAZING! When we arrived we needed to return our rental car. Jan drove ahead of us to help us navigate the streets of Prague and find our rental return place. The other staff, including Simone, were super friendly and went out of their way to offer advice and just chat. Really enjoyed our experience there. Although, the bed was really quite hard. I had a hard time falling asleep...but my husband didn't share this complaint. :)
Anna Packard in Salt Lake City, UT USA 08/27/2010
Best: Guest House Lida
Why: It is quiet and relaxing, very much appreciated after a heavy site-seeing day. Jan and Jitka explain the transportation system so well; it is easy to get from Lida to anywhere you need to go. Also, they are so very helpful with touring activities and evening plans. I also stayed in a "business class hotel" for the time I was working at our Prague office. My Guest House Lida room, bed, and breakfast were all much better.
Chris in Rochester, NY USA 08/23/2010
Best: Guest House Lida
Why: The rooms are plain but large and very clean. The individual service was wonderful and enthusiastic. They have metro tickets available for purchase (rather than get them elsewhere) which is very convenient. They are quick to respond to questions or needs. The short 10 minute tram/metro ride to the center of Praha is no problem ... and, in fact, a fun part of the overall experience. The neighborhood is very quiet and there are some handy stores and restaurants nearby. The breakfast is great and they were accommodating on the morning we had to leave early. I highly recommend Guesthouse Lida!
Gary M in Puyallup, WA USA 08/14/2010
Best: Guest House Lida
Why: See my comments under Corrections.
I completely lucked out using this guest house as my base for 10 days. I found out about it through the book. I communicated with them half a dozen times before I even got to Prague. They are GREAT!! And every guest is treated the same way.
Kathy Bednark in Woodbury, MN USA 08/04/2010
Worst: Hotel Betlem, Prague CZ
Why: I graded this hotel worst because it did not have room fans available for the summer. We just came back from the Rick Steves tour -6/28 thru 7/9 and it was hot (>89 F) and the room was unbearable hot for the three nights we were there. The hotel was nice and the personnel friendly but use this hotel during the spring or fall.
David in East Hampton, CT USA 07/30/2010
Worst: Hastal Hotel
Why: We had a nightmare experience with them and ended up leaving the hotel at 2am to find another. The room was spider infested and the front desk refused to help with the situation. In fact, he wouldn't let us leave the hotel until we paid for our room. After a 30 minutes stand-off and threats to call the police he finally unlocked the front doors and let us leave. I HIGHLY recommend that you remove this hotel from your book!!!
Paige Tyler in APO, AE USA 07/30/2010
Best: Hotel Hastal
Why: A low priced gem and excellent value for the money. Also Pension Olsakovsky in Cesky Krumlov--incredible character and building, although that probably holds for everything in that town.
Margaret Plotkin in Elkins Park, PA USA 07/15/2010
Best: Hotel Sax, Prague
Why: This was the best hotel we stayed in of our 3 week vacation. It is about a 10 minute walk to the Charles Bridge, 5 minutes from below the castle, and 1 minute from the closest tram. It is right by the American Embassy and is in a quiet area. The breakfast in the morning is wonderful with many choices and plenty of sweets. In addition, there is an afternoon tea from 5-6 where they serve tea and coffee along with pastries. All the people there were extremely helpful and friendly. We had our flight changed to 7pm and even though checkout was 12pm they let us have stay in the room/hotel until we left for the airport (5:30).
Suzann Sent in Orangevale, CA USA 07/10/2010
Best: Guesthouse Lida
Why: The hosts, Jan and Jitka speak excellent english and are very, very gracious and helpful. The nearby Vysehrad neighborhood contains three excellent restaurants (not touristy) and the park sits on high ground and has fabulous views of the city and an interesting church, cemetery, etc.
Michael Sherwood in Prescott Valley, AZ USA 06/30/2010
Best: Pensione LIDA Prague
Why: Great huge room-ask for #3 huge windows for cooling and nice view, great breakfast,(packed breakfast if early train/flight) internet ,CNN if you care to watch news, good place to eat("Josephina" down street ,get the wild boar!!!),fridge in hall,handy pickup servicewhen jet lagged BUT a true "above and beyond" award goes to Pensione Lida as I was ill and they helped with telephone calls to relatives, directions to drugstore,and found us another room just down street when I was too ill to travel but they were full. Pensione Lida is truly one of the best places I have ever stayed!!!!
Kathi Calkins in Aurora , In USA 06/27/2010
Best: Cloister Inn
Why: There were 3 of us and we found that some of the triples we stayed in were very tight. This one was extremely spacious. Beds were comfortable, room was clean and the staff was very helpful.
Nina O in Roswell, Ga USA 06/10/2010
Best: Hotel Hastal
Why: Great location--5 min walk to Jewish Quarter and Old town square. Very well-kept hotel with professional staff. We "splurged" for a slightly larger room with a few more amenities (view, minibar) for ~95 euro/night--booking through the internet, their rates were lower than what was quoted in the guidebooks.
R Lorber in Westminster, MD USA 06/06/2010
Best: Residence Retezova
Why: Beautiful, clean apartment in a very old building. Lots of room and a wonderful staff. Located in Old Town on a very quiet street.
Susan in Southborough, Ma USA 06/05/2010
Best: Green Garland Pension
Why: Besides being listed in Rick's book, it's rated very high in Trip Advisor. Location was great being right in middle of the Old Town. We only took tram to the Castle, everything else was easily walkable. Both our triple room (nice wooden beams) and bathroom were large. Lots of steps but that's Europe! Nice breakfast, and all the staff people were very helpful. I highly recommend.
Judy in Alexandria, MN USA 05/19/2010
Best: Green Garland Pension
Why: Besides being listed in Rick's book, it's rated very high in Trip Advisor. Location was great being right in middle of the Old Town. We only took tram to the Castle, everything else was easily walkable. Both our triple room (nice wooden beams) and bathroom were large. Lots of steps but that's Europe! Nice breakfast, and all the staff people were very helpful. I highly recommend.
Judy in Alexandria, MN USA 05/19/2010
Best: Mike's Chauffeur Service
Why: They were prompt, friendly and made our trip to Konopiste a breeze. Arranged this day trip via email and it went very smoothly. Mike's Uncle Jan was our driver, and deftly accommodated having major thoroughfares shut down due to President Obama's visit!
Jill Burcum in Andover, MN USA 04/10/2010
Best: Hotel Maximillian
Why: Absolutely wonderful breakfast, beautifully presented, fresh baked goods, lots of fresh fruit and yogourt, as well as eggs etc. Excellent coffee. Very convenient location 5 minutes approx. walk from the Old Town Square, in a quiet neighbourhood. Friendly helpful staff. One of the receptionists sat down with us on arrival for a "briefing" on the hotel and area.
Judy in Peterborough, ON Canada 11/04/2009
Worst: Pension LOBO in Cesky Krumlov
Why: Dirty shower ... shopworn towels and bedsheets. Cancelled our shuttle to Linz without any notice and other than telling us to go see the tourist bureau, refused to provide any assistance in finding alternative arrangements to help us out of the emergency transportation situation they had created.
Richard Canada 10/28/2009
Best: Penzion Steidler in Telc
Why: It is right on the main square in Telc. It is quiet, clean and well-decorated. We had the room next to the dining room and it was still very quiet. Great breakfast, nice hosts.
Julie in Provo, Ut USA 10/07/2009
Best: Hotel u Semika, Prague
Why: Aug 99. Beautiful huge room with view, kitchenette, sofa, table, chairs. I paid only 935 Czk for it, which was cheaper due to the unusually low tourist season this year. Very helpful, friendly staff. Excellent buffet breakfast. In fact, they even offered to provide me with a breakfast-to-go, since I was leaving for the airport @ 5:30 am. Good restaurant. One of the best places I've stayed in years.
Worst: Pension Lobo, Cesky Krumlov
Why: Ugly room with badly stained carpet, paint on wall that rubs off on clothes. Very poor service. No service (closed office) after about 6:30 pm. I couldn't wait to leave.
Nova Fraser in San Diego, CA USA 08/14/2009
Best: Maximillian Hotel
Why: We paid only 100 Euros a night to stay here, so it was a great deal for a really nice hotel. We got a web-rate that was a lot cheaper than the normal rates (and the rates published in the book).
Pam Notar in Rochester, NY USA 08/03/2009
Best: Residences Thurokova
Why: Forgive the spelling. Lida found it. For the price of a hotel (gosh the price of a holiday inn in jersey!) i stayed in a gorgeous apartment overlooking the city, steps from the castle, iron gate. I loved it.
Jennie in Washington DC, DC USA 07/10/2009
Best: Guest House Lida
Why: It was really nice to get out of the madhouse of the Old Town and to be in a real neighborhood. Jiri gave us an extensive orientation on how to get around using trams and metro. And it was a really great room at a really great price. Great breakfast, also.
Tracy Taylor in Copenhagen, Denmark 04/13/2009
Best: Hotel Anna
Why: Great hotel in a good location. The staff was very helpful, breakfast was tasty and generous, and the neighborhood full of little, local restaurants and bars.
Deb Flannigan in Cazenovia, NY USA 03/22/2009