We will be in Prague in August. We hear the weather is hot there that of the year and would like to stay in hotel with A/C. Are the hotels in the Stare Mesto and nearby equiped with A/C? Any recommendations. We'd hate to stay in Marriott or otehr equivalents
thanks

Don't know why you don't want to stay "in Marriott or other equivalents," but if it's simply because they are chain hotels, so be it. But chain hotels in Europe aren't always like chain hotels in the U.S. Anyway, I can only comment on one hotel, which is where I stay, overlooking the Vltava River and across to the Charles Bridge and the castle on the other side. It's a wonderful hotel, rather pricey, but in an excellent location and just a short walk to the Stare Mesto. I know of only one hotel in the old town, but there are many. The one I know doesn't have A/C. Most of the older hotels don't. Good luck.

Well, I got carried away and didn't tell you the name of the hotel where I stay, overlooking the river. It's the International Hotel Praha (Prague) and has every feature you could desire, including its own underground parking garage, and of course A/C. Good luck.

Well, I give up. I'm not punchy, but you could well think I am. My favorite hotel in Prague is the Intercontinental, not the International. I'm out of my gourd today. Sorry.

It's like anywhere else -- the more expensive hotels do, and the cheaper ones don't. There are plenty of hotels in Stare Mesto with AC. A lot of hotels that are 4* have AC, but I don't think the 3* ones do. In fact, in Prague, I don't think AC is a requirement for 4* hotels (neither is a restaurant) as I've seen some 4* hotels on web sites that don't mention AC. However, lots do.

There are quite a few good web sites for hotels in Prague. www.marys.cz is a good one with a good list of hotels by star rating. The Marriott, being new, might be nicer than some equivalent Czech hotels which are not always so great-- that 1960s-70s Communist block style with shag carpet, mirrors, etc is not exactly thrilling, nor the service.

There are plenty with AC, but some older Czech hotels that are wellknown with AC are the Grand Hotel Bohemia and the Palace, among others. The newer ones are more likely to, at least newly renovated from my experience in looking.

I'm traveling to Prague in August also, with a sister who wants AC. I'd like a charming hotel convenient to the old town, but this package of amenities is hard to find. If you go to Expedia, they will let you narrow your search to include hotels with AC. I've cross-referenced these hotels with many other sources, like Orbitz, Tripadvisor,http://www.bookings.net and others, and the Expedia list is fairly comprehensive. Since we're trying to stay under $130 a night, these hotels are possibilities for us (but some of them, I think, are a metro stop or two away from Stare Mesto and nearby area): Hotel Absolut, Hotel Ametyst, Hotel Beranek, Hotel Julian, Hotel Modra Ruze (more expensive) and Tulip Inn Terminus. If you find others along these lines, please post them. Maybe we'll see you there!

You could consider bidding for a 5* hotel on Priceline (but probably not less than 5*, because you could get an inconvenient hotel). The reported 5* hotels are all conveniently located, but they are chain hotels, and they all have air conditioning.

Check out www.betterbidding.com and www.biddingfortravel.com .

In the past, people have been successful in the $110-120 bid range, but it would likely be more now.

Personally I prefer air conditioning over charm, if it has to be a choice between the two.

We have, in the past, stayed at the Savoy which is located above the castle and for that reason I rarely recommend it since many would feel it is "inconvenient."

I remain amused about the so-called "chain hotel aversion" when there are many hotels in Europe which are actually part of one chain or another and a lot of people don't realize it.