Has anyone stayed at the Casa Marcello hotel in Prague? There are some good rates for the time I want to go and I would like to know if they are too good to be true. How about the location? IS it walking distance to most things in Old Town? I am considering the Intercontinental but would like to save a buck if possible...thanks

Haven't stayed there but stayed twice in a hotel just across Hastalska square from it, at the Hotel Maximilian. The location is excellent, a very pleasant neighborhood a little removed from the big tourist crowds yet very convenient. It's a very short walk to Old Town Square (this section IS actually in old town in the Jewish Qtr), about 4-5 blocks and it's also only a couple blocks to the tram that goes down Revolucni, as well as about 4 blocks from Namesti Republicky metro stop. Lots of good restaurants, bakeries, shops, etc within a few blocks. If I recall where the Intercontinental is, this hotel is a better location IMO.

Only one drawback for the Marcello at present is that they are still carrying out flood repairs on the Square which means a fair amount of dirt and noise. Some of the hotel basement facilities are also out of order including the kitchen. I would go for the Intercontinental at present. <BR><BR>Jason<BR><BR>Jason

I also made reservations for Casa Marcello at Easter because the price was excellent and at Jason's recommendation. I am surprised to hear that there is now a problem. Where can I find something comparable at the same price of $145 at the height of the tourist season?

I wondered about that -- if that area of Prague were not in the best condition because I had read that there was more flood damage in that part of town than some other parts. I also had a suspicion that might be why they were having room promotions this winter. However, as for the hotel kitchen damage, I wouldn't care about that in the slightest -- you don't have to eat there, there are plenty of other better restaurant choices in Prague within a short walk. The flood repairs on the square might not be so nice, however.

OUr room rate includes breakfast so they must have a kitchen working. I can't believe it is taking so long to do flood repairs. I guess I will just check out other hotels and hope there is something good in the same price range and location availabl.e

Barbarita, I think you will be able to find a room (although I don't know how far they get booked for Easter), but probably not the same level at that price, which was very good. Of course, one reason it is so good is the damage, you could look at it that way.<BR><BR>The breakfast may not need a kitchen -- it could be breads, fruits, cereal, stuff like that. They can always get coffee pots and hot plates going, after all. The hotel I stay in (Maximilian across the square) doesn't have a big full kitchen, either, as they mostly have cold foods for breakfat. They do have scrambled eggs, but the kitchen is a small one off the breakfast room on the first floor.<BR>

(cont) Those are the best two hotels in that exact location -- only two, I think, but there are plenty of others in convenient locations. I think Jason said the Namesti Republicky metro stop wasn't working, either, but that is the same general area and that would be a little closer to Old Town Square, anyway, so not a bad walk. I just checked and the Renaissance Prague at that location has specials for only about $150 for Easter weekend, it appears. That is a little higher location (near Municipal House) so should be better from flood damage point of view, but I haven't been there since so don't know specifics, of course. That's supposed to be a nice hotel from what I've heard.<BR><BR>The Hotel Dlouha is one in that area, in-between Casa Marcello and Old Town Sq and there might not be the damage/work on that street, it is even more convenient and definitely cheaper. It looks very nice from the outside, but is a basic 3*, not as nice as the 4*s of course<BR>http://www.vol.cz/rfk/dlouha.html<BR>

(cont) YOu could also check with Best Western, their Hotel Meteor Plaza isn't far from there, has decent rates, and is fine from what I've heard.<BR><BR>If you haven't been there, 3* hotels in Prague don't seem as nice as in, say, France -- more like what I think of as a 2*.<BR>

Thanks for your advice. I'll check out the Renaissance.

Thanks for all the info. My exictment over the good deal has turned to dread. Now am I concerned about whether a particular area in Prague is affected by the flood. Are there any sure bet areas in Old town with no flood damage/work..dirt..etc??

ok, I keep up fairly well with Prague news as it's one of my favorite cities and I visit the Czech Embassy occasionally, etc (I live in Wash DC) and this is what I know.<BR><BR>Some parts of Prague were much more damaged by the flood than others, of course -- the lowlying areas, which include Karlin, the lower part of Mala Strana, Kampa Island, the Jewish Qtr (Josefov), most things right around the river. Casa Marcello &amp; Maximilian are in the Josefov, which is my preferred area to stay, but it is lower so that is why they might have more problems.<BR>

I'm surprised Jason did not comment on this on his web site where he recommends the Marcello if it is still a problem. I also wonder about the recommendation above for the Intercontinental which, from my reading, was also one of the hotels most damaged by the floods, being near the river. I just don't like it anyway (looks) and given its location, would imagine there are many better hotels to book. <BR><BR>The B metro line had some stations closed and had more damage than the A line which is fully operational. Namesti Republiky station on the B line is near the Municipal House (Obecni Dum), the Prague Renaissance/Marriott and a few other hotels, some modest, some nicer (Central, Imperial, etc). That is a nice convenient location and a short walk to Powder Gate, Old Town Square. <BR>

The metro is scheduled to be completely open by the end of March, so that's good news for Easter trips. Trams are running along there and help out the metro problems and there is a very convenient line that runs down Revolucni, past Nam. Rep. metro stop on na Porici (where the Renaissance is) and down towards central town (Wenceslaus Square, National Theatre, etc). I would not worry about staying at that location, from what I've read, in terms of transportation and flood damage. <BR><BR>I imagine any hotel up on the hill towards Prague Castle would certainly be okay, the flooding was around the bottom of course. Problem is, that area is not quite as convenient (to me). The Hotel Sax is one suggestion with moderate rates and a pretty convenient location in Mala Strana but not at the bottom of the hill (www.hotelsax.com) It was recommended in Travel &amp; Leisure so I'm sure is decent. <BR><BR>

(cont) As for tourism, most things are open now -- the exceptions that I know of are the Pinkas Synagogue (which won't be open for a while) and maybe some things on Kampa island.<BR><BR>I would guess most hotels would not be a problem, just the ones in lowest locations (ie, Marcello and I know 4 Seasons on the river was the worst).<BR>

Barbarita, maybe you don't know the severity of these floods since you expected them to have recovered by now. These floods were the worst in at least a hundred years (if not more) and caused the most damage to that area since WWII, billions of dollars. This happened only a short time ago, about 6 months, in August 2002. The fact that the Czech people and republic have recovered so well so far is amazing to me and indicative of their spirit and energy. I have donated to their flood relief because I love that city so much and it made me sick--I have given in particular to restoration of cultural heritage sites and if anyone wants to do that, there is an organization that coordinates that effort (VIA Foundation) and you can donate or read more about that effort on www.floods.cz

Christina, I have not added lots of &quot;post flood&quot; comments to the webpage as repair times vary and I cannot keep it up to date. I enquired at the Marcello and they said that their restaurant and sauna were out of action so I take it this means meals in another part of the hotel. I provide the link from which visitors can email or telephone the hotels in order to find out about this kind of damage. I only mentioned the Intercontinental because that was the other choice. My own personal preference would probably be for one of the rear facing rooms at the Adria (top three floors only) as these overlook the Franciscan garden.<BR><BR>Jason

Dear Mandwt,<BR>I sent an email to the hotel asking for honest information about flood damage. They assure me that they are working at 100%. The kitchen is fine, there is no noise from the square to be heard at the hotel, and by April the Italian restaurant will be open on the terrace. I am not going to change my reservations. You can email them at [email protected]

Thanks Barbarita, I emailed them myself and I got the same answer. I have a feeling it will be fine and I am not changing my reservation. I will be there in 4 weeks so hopefully everything will be fine....