Aria Hotel Prague

This building used to be a gray stone printing house. Then the Milanese firm Spatium moved in. Rocco Magnoli and Lorenzo Carmellini, the duo who worked with Gianni Versace, turned it into a sharp boutique space. They kept the Malá Strana exterior but gutted the inside to create a light-filled Winter Garden Atrium. It’s covered by a massive glass ceiling that lets the sun hit the custom furniture and statues. The Gregorian chant mosaic on the floor is the first thing you'll see. It sets the tone immediately. The architects mixed old Bohemian bones with modern Italian style, and it feels right. Every corner of the atrium serves a purpose, offering a quiet place to read or listen to a new album.

Finding a luxury hotel in Prague that doesn't feel like a carbon copy is tough. The Aria works. The four floors focus on Jazz, Opera, Classical, or Contemporary sounds. Every one of the 51 rooms is a dedicated space for a specific artist. You might end up in the Dvořák suite or the Elvis room, but every space honors a legend like Mozart or Billie Holiday. Each spot has a Marantz amplifier and a high-end audio setup. You’ll find an Apple TV and an iPad loaded with the hotel’s massive music library. It's not a gimmick. The sound quality is solid. You won't find another spot in Malá Strana that takes its audio this seriously. It transforms a standard night's sleep into something much more memorable.

CODA Restaurant is the hotel's heavy hitter. The dining room feels like a gallery, with original pieces by Picasso and Dalí on the walls. Expect live piano while you eat. Executive Chef Igor Chramec handles the menu, mixing modern plates with solid Czech classics. When the weather holds, get a table on the CODA Roof Garden. You’ll see the terracotta roofs of Malá Strana and the green dome of St. Nicholas Church. The view of Prague Castle is the best in the area. It’s a 360-degree look at the city that stays with you. Don't skip the rooftop if you're visiting in summer. The atmosphere up there as the sun sets over the spires is exactly why you come to Prague.

The Vrtba Garden is the finest Baroque space in Prague. It dates back to 1715 and sits right next door. Most people have to wait in line at the public entrance. You don't. The Aria has a private gate that lets you walk right into the UNESCO-listed terraces. Go early or late. You’ll have the statues and the manicured hedges to yourself. The view from the top tier looking toward the castle is worth the walk. It turns the hotel’s outdoor space into something much larger and more peaceful. It is a rare privilege to have such a famous piece of history as your own personal backyard for the duration of your trip.