Sorry, I have read all the posts on Prague hotels, and looked at several websites, but still feel the need to start a new thread to tap into all your knowledge!

We are visiting Prague for 4 days at the beginning of May. The slight complication is that we are taking my parents who are in their 70s. They are very keen to see everything, etc. but my Mum suffers from asthma and gets out of breath if she has to walk up even the slightest hill, and also if she walks at a reasonable speed on the flat - she's Ok if we amble around slowly looking at things, but not if we step up the pace. So we need to find a hotel that meets the following criteria

- On the flat
- Really close to the attractions - '5 minutes walk' is fine for us, but seems a lot further for her (Old Town Square seems best to us, but we'd appreciate your advice)
- Comfortable hotel or apartment. Not looking for luxury, but needs to be clean, well furnished, pleasant surroundings
- With lift or ground floor rooms (she could get to the first floor by stairs, but I'd rather avoid it if possible)
- Area that's quiet at night - I hate traffic noise keeping me awake
- Close to public transport for when we want to go further

I hope I'm not asking for the impossible - we'd really appreciate any help you can give. I don't want Mum to feel she is any kind of inconvenience and if we stay in the right place I think it will make a big difference.

Thanks

Regardless of where you end up staying my initial reaction was to recommend considering taking one of the organized city tours of Prague since transportation from place tgo place is used. However, as good as some of them are they do move to a certain "schedule" and unlimited time to get back to the conveyance probably wouldn't be an option. Perhaps a private guide who might be more accommodating?
The one possible "obstacle" that comes to mind in all of this is the "castle" which, as you probably already know, sits high above the city. You can take a tram to the "castle" or "fortress" stop (I think it is tram #23) which lets you off at the top of things so that the remainder of the walking is all down hill. It is, IMO, one of THE places to see in the city, and hopefully you'll be able to do this without too much difficulty.
The Old Town square area is flat as a board so that shouldn't be too difficult...other areas can be a bit more difficult.

I hope you find a way to make this all happen for all of you and that you enjoy Prague.

I think this is really going to be a challenge, or impossible, if you want to meet all those criteria. I think you can do well for the majority, but can't get them all. Perhaps I am interpreting some of your desires incorrectly.

First, all the major attractions are not within five minutes walk of each other, so that isn't possible. None of them are truly all within walking distance at all for those with limited walking ability -- the castle is the one that really is way out and up a hill. Of course it depends what else you want to do. I think you can enjoy seeing several things around Old Town Square, but it sounds like it would be too much for your mother to even walk from there across the bridge and see Mala Strana where the famous St Nicolas church is (there is another one in Old Town Sq). So, you won't find a hotel within walking distance of everything.

Another thing is that hotels that are most central and near the main sites are not in the quietest areas, so that's a problem. Old Town Sq is not quiet. HOwever, it won't be traffic noise if that is the main thing that bothers you. IN fact, you won't get a lot of traffic noise in most of Old Town or Mala Strana. You will have people, however and at the beginning of May you may want to have your windows open. I do think Old Town Sq sounds generally good for your purposes, and in one of the main hotels there, it might be okay noisewise if you get a room off the square. I'm thinking of the HOtel U Prince. Another place there which could be perfect for you as it has apartments is the Metamorphosis Hotel. It is right near the Tyn Church. The only thing is I am not sure it has an elevator, you will have to check. It is on www.marys.cz along with lots of other places.

That is a flat area itself, of course, you are right and it could be great for you and you will enjoy just walking around there. It will be more than a five minute walk to a metro stop, however, or the bridge.

Actually, I think the area that I would consider closest to ideal for someone who really needs to conserve walking might be where the Hotel Pariz and Grand Hotel Bohemia are. This is a flat area itself, and it is right on a tram line and next to a metro stop. It is also right next to the Municipal House, Power Gate and a very short walk to Old Town Square, and it is right next to the Kotva dept. store (which is across the street from the Namesti Republicky metro stop) which is my favorite. YOu could do shopping in there for a lot of things (and it has escalators). Their crystal dept is great, along with porcelain. YOu can buy by the piece for souvenirs.

Another advantage is this is also the corner where two bus tour companies leave from -- Martin TOurs and Prague Sightseeing Tours. YOU may not want to do day trips but they do have those city overview bus sightseeing tours which could work for you.

I do this that would be an excellent location for you. It is not walking distance to all the tourist attractions, of course, but is about the best for public transportation access and other things, in general, to me. I know those hotels are very nice, you didn't state your budget. They probably have a private car on duty, also, as many 4* hotels in Prague do, which you could use for the castle trip.

YOu can get good deals in them sometimes, surprisingly, in off season. YOu can even go to the Imperial Cafe which is only about two very flat blocks walk down Na Porici and a wonderful old Prague cafe. The Municipal House is next door and they have good restaurants/cafe also. I don't know a really good modestly priced hotel right around there. There is the Hotel Central which is really budget and might be lower level than you want.

That area around the Namesti Republicky metro stop is my best suggestion, I think. I am not that familiar with hotels on the Mala Strana side and how that would work for you. Some limited areas are flat over there, of course, but I think it might be more trouble/walk to get other places or to public transportation.

Christina is right on with her suggestions. The castle will be your major obstacle, in terms of walking, hills, etc. A private tour might be the way to go for that (get a car service & they can take you right to the complex entrance & meet you at the end). I would not recommend Mala Strana for your hotel. There are tons of cobblestones & the hill on Nerudova is a killer. Stay in Old Town (but there will be noise), or near the Powder Tower/Kotva area, for the best walking areas.

Other option is Wenceslas Square, if you are near Mustek - BUT - if the escalators are not running, you will have a BIG problem navigating climbing up the Metro stairs. Trams would be best. So... that narrows your options. If you stay near the intersection of the square & Vodickova, you can take tram #9 & connect to #22, which covers all the tourist areas.

Also, the area near Tesco/National Theater (Narodni Trida) has all the tram routes running through it, as well as the metro. A place near there would work well. There tend to be more apartment rentals there, rather than hotels.

Old Town is walkable, but there is NO public transportation in Old Town (just some horses & carriages). You will need a tour guide with a car or bus, unless you can walk to the tram stop near the Rudolfinum on the river, or to the Staromestka metro stop, which is not THAT close, if you want to explore outside of that area.

My recommendation: go on www.travel.cz or www.marys.cz (if you haven't already). You can pose these questions to the agents working online, and they will help you find a place with an elevator, a/c, etc.

Also, get a map of Prague that lists tram & metro stops (at Barnes & Noble they have Euro-City maps), and match up your hotel locations with your needs.

Good luck & enjoy your trip.

Re Hotel Metamorphis in the Ungelt just behind the main square, we stayed there last month and it does have a lift on the ground floor (wish the staff had told us before we lugged our cases up the stairs!). Would highly recommend it. We found it quiet but obviously the whole area will be busier by May.
If possible go during the week as I would imagine everywhere is noisier at weekends when the Stag/Hen parties arrive!
www.metamorphis.cz
Hotel U Prince is also a lovely hotel opposite the astronomical clock, and its lift is up one flight of stairs.
www.hoteluprince.cz

I personally wouldn't choose to stay in Wenceslas Square as I wanted to spend my evenings in the old town area, and didn't want too far to walk back to my hotel after a heavy day on my feet. We didn't take any trams or public transport though and probably overdid the walking!
One thing I would say is whatever the age you need thick soled boots/shoes - cobbles everywhere and after a while you certainly feel them

My husband and I were also in Prague last month and I agree with angel uk. I didn't like the Wencelas Square area it's a major shopping area without the charm of the old town. Personally if I wasn't able to walk very far I'd far rather be in the Old town which is just beautiful because you'd feel as though you were in the center of things.

may i suggest that you hire a driver/guide for the touring...it will cost you something but will ease the entire trip for all...he/she will get you very close to many attractions and if your mother thinks a destination is going to be too much she can stay in the van...

may i also suggest a day or two in cesky krumlov...its fabulous...stay overnite...

Thanks very much for all the ideas.

I think I have misled you a bit, as I didn't expect EVERWHERE to be within 5 minutes of where we stay! Mum will cope provided we go slowly, and don't try to pack too much in. Just wanted to sort out the most appropriate area, and your ideas, especially Christina's detailed explanation of not only where but why is a great help.

The Castle is always going to be a problem, and yes, we will have to take a car/guide for that.

I'll do some research around your suggestions over the weekend, and then maybe come back with a few more questions afterwards.

We were in Prague in September and stayed at Hotel U Prince. It is in a great location as it is right across from the Astrologic Clock in Old Town Square. My recollection is that it either had zero steps to the lift on the ground floor or four. I'm sure you could e-mail them and ask them. I am a very, very light sleeper and was extremely concerned about the noise but I didn't hear a thing in our room (the room didn't face the front) and it was a very noisy time as the Czech national soccer team was playing a play off game with Netherlands (I think). It was one big party in the square with big screens showing the game. And we still couldn't hear anything in our room!

You can also get taxis picking you up from your door if need be.