Hotel U Prince by BHG

This building is old. Really old. The foundations date to the 12th century when the square first became a city center. You can still see original Romanesque and Gothic stone in the cellar levels. Check out the ancient gothic wells too. Outside, the 18th-century facade features a statue of St. Florian by Ignatius F. Platzer. Inside, the 24 rooms and 3 suites feel like a medieval burgher's house. You'll see renaissance-era open beams and thick stone entries. The furniture is all antique. It’s a massive contrast to the noise outside your window. Every room has its own soul. That is a result of keeping the original 800-year-old walls. It means you'll deal with weird steps and odd layouts. Some third-floor suites only have stair access. It's a trade-off. You get a real link to Bohemian history. Just don't expect a standard floor plan. It is the price you pay for staying in a protected artifact.

Go to the fifth floor for the Terasa U Prince rooftop. It's the crown jewel of the property. You get a full 360-degree look at the red roofs and the Astronomical Clock. They keep the heaters running all winter so you can go anytime. It's expensive. Very expensive. The staff has split the space into zones. This includes the viral #bubblepointview for Instagram photos. Expect high minimum spends if you want a reservation there. Even a basic breakfast by the clock has a per-person price floor. You're paying for the theater of the city. Order a Prince Julep and watch the sun hit the spires. Most travelers agree the price is worth it for the view alone. It's a premium experience. But it's one you'll remember long after you leave.

Head down into the cellar for Black Angel’s Bar. It's a 1930s-style speakeasy in a gothic stone basement. The concept comes from the handwritten notes of Alois Krcha. He was a bartender in the early 1900s. The stone walls soak up the noise from the square above. It feels like a movie set. Watch the staff make drinks with Moser crystal and hand-carved ice. Try the Alois Becher-Cobbler. It uses Becherovka, the local herbal liqueur. It's one of the best hotel bars in the world. They've won awards at Tales of the Cocktail in New Orleans. It's dark, cool, and serious about its cocktails. You'll find it's a masterful escape from the crowds.

You're staying at Staroměstské náměstí 460/29. That's ground zero for Prague. This square saw Hussite executions in 1422 and the 1621 beheading of Protestant lords. Now it belongs to the tourists. You'll step out into a crowd every single time. Charles Bridge and the Jewish Quarter are just a short walk away. You won't need the metro much. The ground-floor restaurant sits right across from the Astronomical Clock. But remember that the square never sleeps. It stays loud. You'll hear the crowds until dawn. They charge 500 CZK per hour for early check-in. It's a strategic choice. You stay here to watch the clock strike midnight from your balcony. You aren't here for a quiet night's sleep. It's the absolute epicenter of the city.