I am trying to decide between three hotels in Prague. The Palace Hotel, Hotel Savoy and Pariz Hotel. I prefer something that has character, history with charm and ammenites. Help, I'm leaving in 2 weeks.

A couple of years ago we stayed at Pariz and it was very nice, with some character, but still basically an "American style" hotel. This summer we stayed at Hotel U Tri Pstrosu right at the castle end of the Charles Bridge. Talk about charm, character, and history. It is quite small, however, and does not provide things like room service or even an elevator. (Just don't go for the top floor unless you really like stairs.) Check out their website. Sorry, you'll have to do a search, I've lost it.

Well, I probably don't know much more about them except what I read in guidebooks like you, but from being in Prague and viewing their locations while there and getting around the city for a week, I would choose the Pariz Hotel hands down among those. The Savoy is supposed to be very nice but it's much more out of the way, up near the castle, not within easy walking distance of Old Town Square and the tram by it takes a long time and is not something you probably want to depend on that much (and, it takes you near Wenceslaus Sq, anyway, not Old Town Sq). As I recall, the Palace is right on Wenceslaus Square which would rule it out for me, that's not that nice a place to be. The Pariz is beautiful (from the outside), has a can't-beat location within walking distance to Old Town Sq and right next to a metro stop, and it's in a nice, safe area; I read good things about it in guidebooks also for quality. There are good restaurants within walking distance also, including the beautiful art deco Municipal Theater nearby which has a good restaurant and cafe. If I had my choice regardless of money I would definitely choose the Pariz among those 3 (the Grand Hotel Bohemian (?)is right next to it and looks good, also) unless I did not care about being within easy walking distance of the main square and things to do or had a private driver, then I might choose the Savoy. The Savoy is not near a metro stop, either.

Check the AVE Accommodations site at www.avetravel.cz as they have descriptions, maps & some pictures. <BR>I don't understand why people are concerned about Wenceslas Sqaure. We were 2 females & stayed in a Penzion near there (upper flooors of apartment building with locked door to street so safe). We walked in the Sqaure at all hours day & night & never had any qualms. There are so many people & it is well lit. Are there all types of people, yes. Do they bother you, no.

Oops! didn't spell check. Floors and Square.

I didn't say I was concerned about Wenceslaus Sq at all; my comment about it was more a matter of aesthetics and ambience--I said it wasn't that nice a place to stay. This is just personal opinion but one I think others might agree with (well, lots of guidebooks agree, also, as well as other people I know who've been there). I wouldn't deliberately choose that part of the city over other areas such as the Josephov area, other areas right near Old Town Sq (there are a couple new deluxe hotels right near Namesti Republicky metro stop which some people like, also)or the Mala Strana part of town. I just think Wenc. Sq. and right near it is fairly ugly, mainly, with lots of cheap stores, kind of dirty and noisy, and there are lots of riffraff, prostitutes, etc. around there, so even if they don't bother you, I wouldn't pick that area over others where that wasn't the case. (I suspect part of our differing opinions is age difference as there are a lot of young people who hang out around there). However, if someone gave me a free room at the Palace, I would surely take it, and that might be a good location if you wanted to spend a lot of time going to the opera, National and Estates Theaters, etc, as it's near them. Prague does have a rising crime rate problem in comparison to some other W Eur large cities, in fact; this is included in Dept of State warnings and I've heard it from several people I know who have lived or spent long periods of time in the city, so it's not irrational, and people should be careful in areas such as that. I just think someone who didn't know anything about Prague might be disappointed if they chose to stay in that area once they got there and saw the alternatives and what it was like, I certainly would have been--I stayed right near the Jewish Quarter and Pariz avenue (a little NW of Namesti Rep. metro), and that was a very lovely and nice area to walk in, with lots of cafes, shops, nice restaurants, beautiful buildings, green space, etc., and was very safe and pleasant to walk around in. Wen. Sq. is impressive to see (espec. when the statue is lit up), and a must for historical reasons, but the sidewalks are actually rather narrow, the restaurants and cafes not that attractive and overpriced, and of course you've got the fast food places, cheap merchandise stores, etc. I do have one more comment on the Savoy; it's supposed to be very nice and the outside facade is historical, etc., but the rooms themselves (it's a fairly new renovation) are rather modern-looking and not what I would call charming. But, if you are considering that hotel, I'm sure you've seen photos of it and can decide that for yourself, whether it's what you consider charming. From what I've seen, there is a real aesthetic problem in Prague hotels and their decor, a lot of them even in the deluxe category are rather bland, old-fashioned looking (think 70s) and modern.

Hello, <BR> <BR>We were in Prague last Spring and wrote a travelogue of our visit, which is posted at http://www.thetravelzine.com/ejht7.htm. <BR> <BR>Regards, <BR>Linda and Don <BR>TheTravelzine.com is non-commercial