Hotel Paříž Praha

Look up at the facade. Those sharp spires are classic Neo-Gothic. It was built in 1904 and looks imposing. Then you step inside. Suddenly, everything changes. You're surrounded by the flowing lines of the Belle Époque. It’s a rare double-act in Prague. J. Köhler designed the blue ceramic mosaics on the walls. You'll see gold stucco and brass railings everywhere. The Brandejs family kept it all in perfect shape. No cheap modern updates here. Just authentic 1904 craft. And plenty of mirrors to catch the light.

Eat at the Sarah Bernhardt Restaurant at least once. It’s one of the best rooms in Prague. Those blue mosaics and period lights are the real deal. It feels like a 1920s film set. The food is a mix of French technique and heavy Czech classics. Go for the roasted rabbit or the Prague ham terrine. They have a solid list of Moravian and French wines too. If you want something lighter, duck into Tony’s Café & Bar. Grab a slice of homemade cake and a cocktail. It has a great 1930s vibe.

This hotel is a star of Czech literature. Bohumil Hrabal made it the center of his novel, I Served the King of England, where working as a waiter is the ultimate career peak. It represented the height of pre-war wealth. You can still feel that weight in the lobby today. And the hotel has seen its share of real-world history too. Václav Havel and the Dalai Lama stayed here. Even Oliver Stone signed the guestbook. It is more than a room. It is a piece of Prague's soul.

You get 86 rooms here. They use replicas of the original 1904 furniture. But the tech is current. You get fast Wi-Fi and cold AC. The bathrooms are marble with big tubs for soaking. Head downstairs for the spa. You'll find a jacuzzi and a sauna. There is a steam room too. Plus a small gym. It’s quiet and private. And the location is unbeatable. You can walk to the Powder Tower in sixty seconds. The Astronomical Clock is only eight minutes away. You get the Art Nouveau look without sacrificing comfort.