Is anyone familiar with the Movenpick Hotel Prague? I am traveling with a friend who made the reservations and I am just wondering what area it is in and if it accessible to most of the good sites in Prague?<BR><BR>Thanks for any assistance!

hi<BR><BR>I don't know this one, but my experiences of Movenpick have been consistently good.<BR><BR>And the ice cream isn't bad, either !<BR><BR>Peter<BR>

I"m not familiar with the hotel but looked it up. It's right across from the Mozart Museum (Bertramka) in Prague district 5 (called Smichov), which isn't central Prague. I've been in that area and it's sort of a nice middle class area, actually, The villa the Mozart Museum is in has nice concerts occasionally and it's a pleasant grounds, there's a park nearby if I recall. There is a big major tram connection place nearby, and the hotel web site says it has a free shuttle to Andel metro (I took the tram) which is several blocks away.<BR><BR>There's a famous Czech brewery there, Staropramen, I got lost a little bit and ran into that. I think there's a pub there, also. I found their URL, here it is (apparently there are tours):<BR>http://www.staropramen.cz/centrum/eng/kontakty.html<BR><BR>So, it is accessible in 15 min or so to central Prague. I'd visit Bertramka (www.bertramka.cz) and maybe the brewery (if you like those things). It's not a bad area but not as convenient as being in Prague 1 to tourist sites. Mozart moved out there because he thought it was a nice area, so there you go (and he got a pretty snazzy villa there, as you will see--a composer friend, Dusek, who owned it let him live there at time).<BR><BR>There are two Movenpick hotels according to my Prague map, the one near Duskova would be more convenient (there are only two blocks apart).

Yes, I have stsayed at that very Movenpick Hotel in Prague. Christina is correct when she says it is near the marvelous Mozart Museum, which was a very big plus in my book. Because it was one block (UP a pretty steep hill), we went twice, once to see the museum and once for a lovely concert. The grounds are lovely and tranquil. <BR><BR>Moreover, the hotel is on a tram line and only a three block walk to the metro. You get to the more historic part of Prague in 15-20 minutes.<BR><BR>Usually I prefer staying in older, small hotels in the historic districts, but that did not work out for Prague. So, never having gone wrong at one Movenpick Hotel (in Essen, Germany) and at various Movenpick restaurants, we stayed there.<BR><BR>We would leave the hotel early in the morning and return late at night. Then, we flopped and enjoyed the wonderful modern room. It all worked out very well. <BR><BR>The only thing I did not like was that there are tour groups in the lobby and you can hear their raucousness somehow up five floors, when you stand at the elevators to go down. But I could live with that. <BR><BR>As to the area, it is OK, but not fantastic (other than Mozart!). The hotel will call a taxi for you and they always advise that, since taxis in Prague can be a problem.<BR><BR>In short, Jay, I think you should be just fine with this hotel. Prague is a sheer delight. Have a great time!!

PS. All that I just wrote is based on your hotel being the one in the Smichov district. I did not find another Movenpick listed on their web site, actually, in Prague, so I do not know if there really is a second one in Prague, as Christina's map suggests.<BR><BR>The Mozart Museum's name is Villa Bertramka.

My map has hotels marked on it and has two Movenpicks in that area, only a couple blocks apart (unless it is so big it spans that area!!) One is near what looks like the intersection of Mozartova and Duskova, the other is on U Mrazovky a few blocks south of there, in a park area with a stadium? Actually, the map does have those two connected with a black line which sort of implies it is one humongous hotel with two entrances? The connecting line seems to say "lanovka" next to it?

Christina, the first one is where I stayed. Its address is Mozartova 261 and Duskova must refer to Madame Dusek, of whom Mozart was very, hmmm, fond, shall we say. As to the other one, it isn't on the web site of the Movenpick hotel chain so I don't know what that could be. Maybe it has been de-commissioned, so to speak, especially if your map is more than a year or two old? <BR><BR>BTW, are you the same Christina who wrote knowledgeably about staying in Nancy, France, I think it was last fall when I inquired? As well as other places, like Lyon, France? If so, I always admire your thorough posts. kk

the line that appears to connect the hotel is correct. there is an annex and restaurant to the main hotel that is uphill from the main hotel. access is by a tram(enterence in the main hotel) the location is fine the outside tram is within 1 block and easy to get to. it is 10-15 minutes to the main downtown area. the restaurant is pretty decent. if you walk downhill from the hotel and make a left and follow that street up several blocks there is a restaurant with the enterance on a corner- great food. would stay there again

Thanks for all your informative replies. I was afraid that it wasn't in central Prague, but if its easily accessible to the tram, we should be fine.<BR><BR>Thanks again!

yes, that was me talking about Lyon -- I'm going to Prague myself in a couple weeks. In Czech, my nickname is Krystynka which I think is sort of cute. I've been studying Czech a little, it's very difficult.

Movenpick is a fine choice. It modern and elegant. However, it does sit above an off-ramp and construction area. In short, the view isn't spectacular, but the venue is quite comfortable. Chances are you'll be in the city proper most of the time anyhow. <BR><BR>The above mentioned Mozart gig is a pleasant venue. <BR><BR>There's also the new Novy Smichov shopping mall nearby (which closes at midnight). Though it lacks big name stores from the States, there are a handful of European chains (ie. Carrefour, C&H, and Next) and a multiplex theater up top with great seats and sound (many films are in English with Czech subtitles). <BR><BR>As for taxis... alas, most cab companies in Prague are still controlled by the mob. Moreover, NEVER EVER take a cab from the airport. And at the hotel, ask the concerge to call for "AAA" taxi company -- every expat (and Czech) knows they are only honest taxi firm here. Fare? To get to the city center (one way), should not cost more than 100 to 200 Czech Crowns. Frankly, you can get around quite efficiently using Prague's street cars or subway. For a 15 minute trip without transfering to another vehicle costs 8 Crowns. For a one hour ticket allowing two transfers, it is 12 Crowns (after 8pm and on weekends, that ticket is good for 1.5-hours.) Overall, public transit here is very efficient here (far more than what I lived with in the States). <BR><BR>To tap into Prague's english-speaking expat community, check out www.expats.cz . It's an active forum.<BR><BR>Hope this helps,<BR><BR>-Metropa (US expat here since '97).