Mandarin Oriental Prague

Mandarin Oriental Prague Review

A huge win for the city when it opened in 2006, the Mandarin remains a top choice for Prague. Wisely, the hotel steps outside the Mandarin brand, incorporating the site's history and "Czech-ness." Housed in a former monastery just off Maltese Square, it retains a peaceful, meditative quality. Touches of what used to be remain. Take a look at the glass floor en route to the spa that displays the ruins of a Gothic church. Rooms are swathed in rich navy linens, and beds are among Prague's best; alas, the space is a bit cramped for the price, and the small (or rather, authentically small) windows don't help. But you'll find breathing room in the spa, which incorporates local botanicals (like linden blossoms) in treatments. Another highlight is the hotel's restaurant, Essensia, which splits its menu between locally sourced Czech dishes and Asian fare. Parents take note: children are given a toy on arrival, as well as special toiletries (including a rubber ducky).