MMHH

Never been to Prague, but looks like the Mariott has the best location, right by the Old Town. But the four seasons is, well, the four seasons! but a little futher.

elaine

the Four Seasons also has an excellent location. 5 minutes to the Charles Bridge, another 5-7 minutes to Old Town Square.
It is an outstanding hotel imo, I can't imagine a better one. It is set into some old buildings, but quite contemporary in style inside. I will say the decor is not traditional, if that's what you are looking for. I stayed there less than a year ago. That is not to say that there's anything wrong with the Marriott, I just don't know it.

Christina

I haven't stayed at either, but they both have good locations, just kind of opposite sides of Old Town square. There is a Renaissance right next to the Marriott, also. I do prefer the Marriott location myself.

rhkkmk

we stayed at the savoy up on the hill and it is fantastic with the tram directly across the street and the door to the castle about a 4 minute walk.... can't say enough for it...lots of extras included, like unlimited free mini-bar----never heard of this before...

elaine

Christina, I've been meaning to ask you:
I'm going back to Prague in April with a friend, and she's had a travel agent friend of hers make the arrangments--hard for me to give up that control, but I did.
Anyway, we're booked at the hotel Adria which is on Wenceslas Square. I'm not thrilled actually, but it's done and I'm sure it will be fine. Since last time I spent almost no time in the W Square area, I would appreciate your comments or advice on places in immediate vicinity (to avoid or to try.) Will this location give me a different experience? I can cope either way.

MMHH

Thanks alot guys!

elaine, I've read some where across the board that the Wenceslas Square area is kind of seedy, and this girl was saying that she didn't feel so comfortable walking around that area at night!

HappyCheesehead

We stayed at the Marriott (free - on points) and had no complaints about it at all! Great location. We upgraded our room to the concierge level and had complimentary breakfast and refreshments throughout the day, hot and cold appetizers at night - really they were enough for dinner. The staff was super. Free internet on the concierge floor too, and a walk up roof top with a pretty view of the city. It was a major hotel, and not they type of place we normally pick but it was, well, free!

Cicerone

IMO the location of the Four Seasons is actually much better, you have river views and city views, including Castle views, something you don’t have from the Marriott which has no real views at all. The riverside location is great for walking to other parts of the Old Town or just along the river. The Marriott is a perfectly fine hotel, but in no way compares to the Four Seasons, and its neighborhood is not nearly as charming, IMO. Wenchelas Square is a bit of a disappointment frankly.

m_kingdom2

The Four Seasons has awfully naff décor and is brimming with the brass buttoned blazer set. That said, its position is excellent, near all the shopping.

As for W. Square being seedy...if you think that it feels threatening and rough, you really haven't been anywhere!

Cicerone

Read my post, I didn't say anything about it being threatening or even seedy; I just don't think it is charming, the buildings surrounding it are not architecturally interesting, there are no trees, etc. I found it disappointing the first time I saw it. There are much more charming parts of the old town.

elaine

topping to see if it gets Christina's attention again

gualalalisa

The Four Seasons in Prague is one of my all-time favorite hotels and I've stayed in a lot of good ones.

The location was perfect, as has been said. We had a suite with a stone terrace that looked out on one of the most spectacular views I've ever seen, of St. Vitus Cathedral, Prague Castle, the river and the Charles Bridge all lit up at night - amazing!

There was a plasma screen TV over the marble bathtub and the huge, oh-so-comfortable bed was hard to leave. The furnishings were elegant and understated.

But it was the Room Serivce, OMG, that was the best! To order Eggs Benedict "well done" and actually get them that way, served by the hunkiest waiters on the planet with every little detail attended to, oh my, I could go on and on about this hotel!

ThinGorjus

Vaclav Namesti is slightly seedy. It is a very touristy area, somewhat like the old Times Square in Manhattan. I can't believe you would be in any danger there, however, Elaine. There are hawkers on the street at night, advertising stip clubs and brothels. You also see a lot of teens out looking for some action, fun. You will see tons of jewelry shops, shoe stores, fast food joints, tourist hotels, and liquor stores (windows full of absinthe) on VM. You also have hordes of people in the square because of Metro stops Mustek and Muzeum.

I certainly would not want a hotel room with a window facing VM. I think the noise would keep me awake at night.

elaine

Thanks TG, that's good information.
Sounds like it lacks charm, but 'slightly seedy' I can cope with, being a city girl and all. I lived in a neighborhood for years, that was slightly seedy to say the least (not sure about actual brothels though but then again I wouldn't know ), and I survived.
I can do the same for 5 days. I suspect we'll be spending our time in other areas. My friend lives on a farm near a small town, should be quite interesting for her.

I'll at least request a rear-facing room. Perhaps we'll walk over to the Four Seasons so I can relive my 'glory days.'