Consider yourself warned if you are planning to book at the Hotel U Tri Pstrosu in Prague.
Dec 9th, 2008, 04:43 PM
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Consider yourself warned if you are planning to book at the Hotel U Tri Pstrosu in Prague.
Hotel U Tri Pstrosu in Prague – I’m giving it a big thumbs down!!!
The car service dropped us off at 7am on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. We had reserved 2 rooms at this hotel months prior to our arrival through the travel service Ave, all paid for in advance. We chose it based on the location which was in the town center at the foot of the Charles Bridge.
We were greeted by the receptionist who was very nice and apologetic and told us all the rooms on our floor were unavailable for use because the “card” keys weren’t working and wouldn’t be able to be serviced till Monday. She said they would accommodate us in their other hotel which was in the Hradcany district, which she said was only a 10 minute walk from there. I informed her that I had injured my knee and walking was difficult, but that didn’t change anything. We insisted we wanted to return on Monday to finish out our stay in this location and were told that would be fine. We had no choice at this point and spent the next 2 nights at the Hotel Questenberk, which was at the top of an incredibly high hill above the Castle area, and actually a 20 minute walk downhill! The staff was very gracious here and the hotel was nice but not in the location we wanted to be in.
On Sunday afternoon, we stopped into the original hotel (U Tri Pstrosu) to make sure we were okay to transfer back the next day, and were met by the same receptionist. (By the way, we noticed there were lights on in the rooms on the 4th floor which is where our rooms were supposed to have been.) This time she did not even make eye contact with us. She was very curt and said we could come back on Monday if we wanted to, but not until after 2pm. I did not feel a warm or welcoming feeling here at all this time, and it made me wonder about what kind of reception we’d get if we returned. We decided to stay put and finished out our stay at the Hotel Questenberk.
By the way, we got no compensation for the change in hotels. The price was the same. I can’t help but wonder if the Hotel U Tri Pstrosu overbooks and diverts the overflow to their other hotel!!
The car service dropped us off at 7am on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. We had reserved 2 rooms at this hotel months prior to our arrival through the travel service Ave, all paid for in advance. We chose it based on the location which was in the town center at the foot of the Charles Bridge.
We were greeted by the receptionist who was very nice and apologetic and told us all the rooms on our floor were unavailable for use because the “card” keys weren’t working and wouldn’t be able to be serviced till Monday. She said they would accommodate us in their other hotel which was in the Hradcany district, which she said was only a 10 minute walk from there. I informed her that I had injured my knee and walking was difficult, but that didn’t change anything. We insisted we wanted to return on Monday to finish out our stay in this location and were told that would be fine. We had no choice at this point and spent the next 2 nights at the Hotel Questenberk, which was at the top of an incredibly high hill above the Castle area, and actually a 20 minute walk downhill! The staff was very gracious here and the hotel was nice but not in the location we wanted to be in.
On Sunday afternoon, we stopped into the original hotel (U Tri Pstrosu) to make sure we were okay to transfer back the next day, and were met by the same receptionist. (By the way, we noticed there were lights on in the rooms on the 4th floor which is where our rooms were supposed to have been.) This time she did not even make eye contact with us. She was very curt and said we could come back on Monday if we wanted to, but not until after 2pm. I did not feel a warm or welcoming feeling here at all this time, and it made me wonder about what kind of reception we’d get if we returned. We decided to stay put and finished out our stay at the Hotel Questenberk.
By the way, we got no compensation for the change in hotels. The price was the same. I can’t help but wonder if the Hotel U Tri Pstrosu overbooks and diverts the overflow to their other hotel!!
Dec 9th, 2008, 05:07 PM
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I wouldn;t have changed hotels without compensation. The least they could do was pay for cabs to get you up and down that steep hill. (I've only walked down it - and my knees are fine - wouldn't do up.)
Dec 9th, 2008, 07:34 PM
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Many years ago, we actually had lunch at their restaurant on the first floor based on Fodors recommendation for Czech cuisine at that time. The food was so disappointing and the interior of the restaurant was like an old run down hunting lodge. It's a shame because the building looks somewhat interesting from outside and the location in Mala Strana is quite ideal by the Charles Bridge.
Dec 10th, 2008, 03:23 AM
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Hi Maria318 -- I had the same experience with the U Tri Pstrosu hotel. They told me that there was something wrong with the electronic key system in my room and they paid for the cab to take me to their other hotel. I felt like I didn't have a leg to stand on since I had already prepaid my stay. I was groggy from my overnight flight so I didn't think to ask about compensation. Like you, I thought the Questenberk was very nice but such a long uphill walk from the Charles Bridge. We ended up taking the tram alot. I thought the staff at U Tri Pstrosu was very curt and avoided making eye contact. I prsonally feel that they overbooked the hotel so that they could send people to their other hotel and they lied about it. I have to say it really left me with a bad "taste in my mouth" about Prague.
Dec 10th, 2008, 06:44 AM
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Maria et al:
so very sorry that you've all had bad luck with U Tri Pstrosu...I've recommended it for several years on this forum. We found the hotel to be ideal, beautifully located, with great views of the bridge below. We stayed there in '93. and again in 2002. It's been on our "top ten" list since '02. I recently referred East Coast friends to it and they're going to be there in May...I will certainly warn them about your inexcusable plight.
One of my favorite pix from our top floor room overlooking the bridge was taken at very early morn just after an overnight snow fall, with just one set of footprints.
I do recall the steep walk up to Hradcany on a very cold and windy March day.
stu t.
so very sorry that you've all had bad luck with U Tri Pstrosu...I've recommended it for several years on this forum. We found the hotel to be ideal, beautifully located, with great views of the bridge below. We stayed there in '93. and again in 2002. It's been on our "top ten" list since '02. I recently referred East Coast friends to it and they're going to be there in May...I will certainly warn them about your inexcusable plight.
One of my favorite pix from our top floor room overlooking the bridge was taken at very early morn just after an overnight snow fall, with just one set of footprints.
I do recall the steep walk up to Hradcany on a very cold and windy March day.
stu t.
Dec 10th, 2008, 06:46 PM
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Had the same experience with the U Tri Pstrosu hotel. They had clearly overbooked but refused to admit it - again the cardkey story. Put me in the Questenberk (which i think they also own) which was very nice but much further out of the action! also didnt think to ask for compensation. I would stay away!
Dec 13th, 2008, 06:39 PM
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Maybe this is a common occurence in Prgue. During the summer of 2005, treaveling solo, I arrived and was picked up in Prague by a driver from Hotel Josef. He told me there was a problem with the alarm system and he would take me instead to the Hotel Paris. (suspicious moment) Location was close and I loved the Hotel Paris. I tried to change my stay to my entire time in Prague but they said I would be moved back to Hotel Josef. I packed and they schlepped. While very different it was also quite nice and comfortable so my total experience was positive.
Dec 14th, 2008, 01:09 AM
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Hi Maria
Thanks for alerting us to the problems you experienced. I do hope that it didn't negatively affect your visit too much. It would be very helpful too if you post a review on Trip Advisor - www.tripadvisor.com. If the hotel makes a habit of this practice other people who were similarly affected will report it on that site and thus potential guests may well be deterred.
Thanks for alerting us to the problems you experienced. I do hope that it didn't negatively affect your visit too much. It would be very helpful too if you post a review on Trip Advisor - www.tripadvisor.com. If the hotel makes a habit of this practice other people who were similarly affected will report it on that site and thus potential guests may well be deterred.
Dec 14th, 2008, 08:23 PM
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Iris et al:
wow,... that's a shocker...however, if they've been treating so many people this way, it's really NOT surprising...guess I'll have to knock them off the Top Ten list...win a few, lose a few...the hotel business ain't no day at the beach.
stu t.
wow,... that's a shocker...however, if they've been treating so many people this way, it's really NOT surprising...guess I'll have to knock them off the Top Ten list...win a few, lose a few...the hotel business ain't no day at the beach.
stu t.
Jan 21st, 2009, 08:02 AM
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i just had a similar experience in dec with the folks at accom-prague
four days before arriving they sent email saying the furnace was broken and unfortunately the large two bedroom apt with fireplace in mala strana was unavailable but they would put me and my kids in two seperate studio apts next to the train station in wencelas square.
i said no thanks i will take my money. they said sure, come in a pick it up and we will give you some back but not all of it.
four days before arriving they sent email saying the furnace was broken and unfortunately the large two bedroom apt with fireplace in mala strana was unavailable but they would put me and my kids in two seperate studio apts next to the train station in wencelas square.
i said no thanks i will take my money. they said sure, come in a pick it up and we will give you some back but not all of it.
Jan 22nd, 2009, 03:13 AM
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This appears to be an example of a fraudulent practice sadly common in the travel industry known as "Bait and Switch". I also appreciate the warnings. Thank you.
Prague is a very cultural, busy city all year around. Everybody wants to stay at the Old Town (Mala Strana area). Obviously a hotel listing its "great location in the Mala Strana area" is a huge hook. Not surprised at all of this "Bait and Switch" fraudulent practice.
Prague is a very cultural, busy city all year around. Everybody wants to stay at the Old Town (Mala Strana area). Obviously a hotel listing its "great location in the Mala Strana area" is a huge hook. Not surprised at all of this "Bait and Switch" fraudulent practice.
