Prague

[Graham F]

Hi

Can anyone recommend a good hotel in Prague. Central would be great. If you have any tips on the do's and dont's I would be grateful.

Thank you

[KebabMeister]

I found this website outstanding http://www.praguehotellocator.com/

[Narolines]

My advice would be not to stay in the centre - they'll charge you FAR too much for what you get. Public transport in Prague is easy, very cheap and reliable, and there is plenty of reasonably priced accommodation within 15 minutes tram or metro ride of the centre. Try www.hotels-net.net/Hotels_in_Czech_Republic and look in Prague 10, which is to the east of the centre and contains a lot of hotels and pensions. Or look at hotels in Zizkov (Prague 3) - though this formerly bohemian and rather down-at-heel suburb is now becoming a bit trendy and therefore pricy. If you want somewhere reasonably priced, warm, clean & comfortable but which still gives you a feel of the old Communist regime try the Olsanka; it's huge, monolithic and very Soviet, but the rooms are good and the service is excellent. There's a tram-stop right outside the door. I lived & worked in Prague for a time, and you very quickly learn to avoid the overpriced city centre once you discover how cheap things become a mile or two out. And I'd also advise avoiding taxis from the airport - they'll sting you like a hornet. Instead, take the 119 bus to Dejvicka and then take the metro to wherever you finally decide to go. There's a kiosk in the airport where you can buy a ticket for all the trams, metro & buses - last time I was there (about 6 months ago) it was around �8 for a week.

Dos & dont's - well, don't expect Czechs to smile much, and don't tip heavily; the local custom is to round up to the nearest round number of Koruny. Nobody wants to mess with dozens of tiny coins that are worth about a tenth of 1p each. Prague has a reputation for pickpocket crime, but it's no worse than anywhere else and a great deal better than Paris or Barcelona - just take sensible care of your wallet.

[Narolines]

Part 2 -

And don't be tempted to cheat on bus, tram or metro tickets - there are no conductors & the driver doesn't check your ticket, but the inspectors are not uniformed (they do have to show you their badge) and penalties for travelling without a valid ticket are instant and heavy, with no leeway allowed for "innocent" visitors.

Prague is a beautiful place - probably my favourite city. Enjoy!

[theo_wyvern]

echo narolines, see other questions on prague for what to do !

[denisegordon]

www.tripadvisor.com is really handy for this kind of info. I always use it before picking a hotel.

[wildpoppy]

Hi

We went in December and stayed in the Ventana, very nice and got a good deal online. Some of its rooms look over the main square. Search Expedia and always look at Tripadvisor. Always depends on your budget.

We went most places by tram and foot. You can walk out of the airport and get a shared mini-bus direct to your hotel and they give you a card and they will pick you up on the way back as well.

Great city but very cold at this time of year. Take very warm clothes and comfy footwear. Avoid using taxis.

Hope that helps

Poppy

[Narolines]

Poppy, I just had a quick look at that hotel and that is EXPENSIVE - at least in my book. Last summer (high season) I paid 40 Euros/night for a very comfortable double room with breakfast, private facilities & (cheap) minibar about 17 minutes out by tram. OK, I didn't have all the bells & whistles, but I don't need them. And I still stick to my advice to use public transport - I used one of those minibuses the first time I ever went there, and never againat that price. Then, I like to mix with the locals and do it the way they do wherever I go. I concede it may not suit everybody.