Golden Well or Maximilian in Prague?

Old Dec 8th, 2007, 12:14 PM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Golden Well or Maximilian in Prague?

My husband and I are planning a trip to Prague in May 2008 and can't decide between the Golden Well and the Maximilian. Has anybody stayed at these hotels? What do you think? What about parking for our rental car?
AndreaLang is offline  
Old Dec 8th, 2007, 10:35 PM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,127
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
We stayed at the Golden Well (U Zlate Studne) in October. It's a very nice, quiet hotel yet just a few minutes to the Charles Bridge and Kampa Island. The castle is right behind the hotel and there is an easy way to get to it through the hotel restaurant's door. It was pricey but it was worth it.

Try looking at the comments posted at www.tripadvisor.com about these two hotels.
francophile03 is offline  
Old Dec 9th, 2007, 05:52 AM
  #3  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks for the helpful comments. Do you know anything about parking for the Golden Well? I have seen the comments on Trip Advisor, and I've tried to communicate directly with the Golden Well, but I haven't gotten any response from them yet.
AndreaLang is offline  
Old Dec 9th, 2007, 06:03 AM
  #4  
G2T
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Stayed at Maximilian in July and can't see how you would be disappointed. I don't know about parking though. The Maximilian is about 3-4 blocks from main areas so you have to not mind walking. Although you may have a car, parking at the sites may be tough. The hotel is very stylish and clean. The breakfast was nice and the staff was helpful.
G2T is offline  
Old Dec 9th, 2007, 07:28 AM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,127
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Sorry, we didn't rent a car so I don't know. But their website has packages that offer valet parking.

However, as to your not getting replies from the hotel it happened to me too several times. They responded after a few days to a week twice saying their email system was not working. So perhaps that's why you haven't heard from them.

Btw, the buffet breakfast is really nice. The narrow dining room overlooks the rooftops so you get a nice view while you eat. Buffet has so many choices and then they also offer an a la carte menu (pancakes, boiled to order eggs, omelettes, pancakes) which is included in the rate too.
francophile03 is offline  
Old Dec 9th, 2007, 08:49 AM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 19,370
Received 79 Likes on 8 Posts
We've stayed at the Maximilian a couple of times and really like it. It has a car park (but we haven't used it and don't know where it is from the hotel.)

It's in the Josefov - a 10 min. walk from the Charles Bridge and from the old town square; much quieter than most of the old town but still plenty of cafes and bars around, and many cool shops within a block or two. As stated, a really great breakfast.
Gardyloo is online now  
Old Dec 9th, 2007, 08:58 AM
  #7  
hla
 
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
We stayed at the Maximilian and really enjoyed it. It was a very short walk to the Old Town Square, which was one of my favorite parts of Prague. Breakfasts were plentiful, much more so than most European breakfasts. They also have a lounge with free coffee and cake available during the day. Staff spoke beautiful English and was very helpful. We had a triple, and the both room and hotel were very modern and clean. I thought the location was very convenient.
hla is offline  
Old Dec 9th, 2007, 10:30 AM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 480
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hello Andrea:

I'm glad that you raised the topic of the Maximilian because I am looking at that hotel for a trip next Fall. We will not have a car and with a bad knee I am always concerned about walking distances, tram stops, etc. If any of those with experience at the Maximilian could comment, I would be grateful and hope that you would not feel hijacked.

I am also looking at the Esplanade and wonder if you have considered that hotel. The selection seems almost endless. Thanks. Gradyghost
gradyghost is offline  
Old Dec 9th, 2007, 04:30 PM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 34,840
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
There are two hotels with Czech names that could be translated as Golden Well. Which one are you talking about? I think they are both 4* hotels, also. One is right next to the castle, and the other is just off the bridge (also in Mala Strana). I think the slight name difference has to do with case, from my Czech language study.

http://www.goldenwellhotel.com/
or
http://www.uzlatestudny.cz

I've stayed at the Maximillian twice and really like it and the location (although I haven't been there since the decor change, but the location is the same, and I assume the service as it's the same owner). It's a couple blocks from a tram line, but there are no tram lines right through the center of Old Town, so it goes down around Wenceslas Square and then a bit south of the National Theatre. I'm not sure if it goes across the river or not. I suspect you'd have to transfer to do that, but am not sure. You could get to Wen. Square from there by tram. It's not too far to a metro stop (Namesti Republicky) or the main Old Town square -- both around 4-5 blocks, I guess. They do have some kind of valet parking, I know, although I haven't used it--I think their space is limited. They do have a good breakfast room and buffet. They also have a good car service/driver you can book for reasonable cost. I think most Prague 4* hotels do that, and it is very convenient.

If walking distances are a really big concern, you probably can book a hotel right on the square or within a block or so that might be more convenient. At least it is flat around there and on that side of the river.

I wouldn't ever want to stay right next to the castle myself. I don't think that's a very convenient location. I'd say it is more than a few minutes walk to Charles Bridge from the Golden Well hotel (at least the one next to the castle), but perhaps I walk slower than most. It's hilly over there, also -- it is probably only about 500 km, but that's more than a few minutes to me.
Christina is offline  
Old Dec 9th, 2007, 04:54 PM
  #10  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,127
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I didn't find anything wrong with being located near the castle area. I didn't really time with precision the walk from the hotel to the bridge and across the bridge to the old town but one would have to have walking problems to think it was really far.
francophile03 is offline  
Old Dec 9th, 2007, 07:15 PM
  #11  
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 674
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
We stayed at the Maxmillian in March of 2007, we loved it. Great location, amazing buffet breakfast. We had a nice size room with a great comfy bed. Quiet area, very close to the sights thought. Very modern, and clean.
pjsparlor is offline  
Old Dec 9th, 2007, 08:20 PM
  #12  
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,456
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I think Christina is a bit mistaken. It's true there are two Golden Well hotels but one (U Zlate Studne)is, being below the Castle, in Mala Strana area (not in Castle area). A bit off the Tomassaka street, it's a slight uphill to the hotel but it's not like walking steep uphill road of the Nerudova street to the Castle because the hotel is still under the castle and not in the Castle area. I'd say walking to the Charles' Bridge is less than 10 minutes from the hotel. If you stay here, Waldstein garden is (entrance free) is really a few minutes walk and not to miss. A beautifl and quiet garden. Also the Castle's (South?) garden on the hill side (that you have to pay for entrance) is like next door from the hotel and a nice place too for the view.

The other one (U Zlate Studny) is in the Old town side (and not Mala Strana) on Karlova street. This one is much less taked about it seems.

FWIW, on tripadvisor.com, Zlate Studne in Mala Strana is reviewd No.1, U Zlate Studny No.150 (only 8 rooms so not many have stayed here I guess) and Maximilian No.21.

See the following on the same topic, about the two Golden Well hotels, on TA.com.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic...-i96-k158e0504

I like Mala Strana area and U Zlate Studne is in a quieter part of Mala Strana I'd say. I'm used to staying Mala Strana that is closer to Smichov at much less expensive hotels. I have stayed in Old Town/Josehov area too and there is nothing wrong about the location of Maximilian. Only my preferece goes to Mala Strana. Each location has its conveniences.

I hope OP will come back and clarify which Golden Well hotel she means.
kappa is offline  
Old Dec 9th, 2007, 08:41 PM
  #13  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,127
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thank you kappa! That was very well-said.

One saves much time walking up the strenuous steep hill to the castle by going through the hotel restaurant's door as mentioned before. It couldn't be easier. Through this door leading up a flight of steps one will enter the castle's garden and it's just a few minutes (sorry I did not time myself exactly how many minutes walk it was but it was quite short-I guess I am not anal in these things as others) walk through the entrance on that side of the castle.

I've heard of the other Golden Well hotel and it isn't as well-regarded as that Golden Well hotel near the castle. I just assumed since the OP is trying to decide between the Maximilian and a Golden Well hotel it's going to be the Golden Well property that's comparable to the Maximilian. But, yes, it would help if the OP clarified which hotel she's referring to.

francophile03 is offline  
Old Dec 10th, 2007, 03:43 AM
  #14  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks again to everyone for all the helpful information. FYI-the Golden Well we are considering is the one in the Mala Strana that is rated #1 in Trip Advisor the one that is called U Zlate Studne in Czech. The Maximilian sounds nice too, but I'm taken with the romance of the setting of the Golden Well. I think I have my husband talked into the Golden Well at this point. I've sent another inquiry to the hotel, hopefully I'll get a response this time.
AndreaLang is offline  
Old Dec 10th, 2007, 04:33 AM
  #15  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,127
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hi, you will love your stay at U Zlate Studne.
francophile03 is offline  
Old Dec 10th, 2007, 05:39 AM
  #16  
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,456
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Romance factor, then Golden Well Mala Strana is more like it.
kappa is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
janey47
Europe
4
Jul 10th, 2008 12:43 AM
PRLCH
Europe
4
Nov 5th, 2006 01:49 PM
Betsy_B
Europe
18
Dec 25th, 2005 08:42 AM
Giorgio
Europe
8
Jun 19th, 2003 04:27 PM
artseattle
Europe
7
Jan 11th, 2003 06:31 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -