About to book at a very good rate at the Prague Hilton (NOT the Old Town Hilton). Is it very far from the sights? Would you pay an extra $50-$80 per night to be closer? Does the Prague metro have stairs or elevators? I do not go on escalators. Or would a tram or taxi be readily available? Thanks for any advice

The majority have escalators some have stairs and a few have lifts and escalators but lifts are in the miniority,some of the escalators are pretty long too.
if you are staying in the Hilton on Pobřežní then you can walk to most of the sites in the old town and take trams to most other places.the Hilton on V Celnici is more central
this link will give you info about the transport system.
http://www.dpp.cz/en/
for taxis use AAA taxis ,they have english speaking dispatchers.
http://www.aaataxi.cz/index.php?xSET=lang&xLANG=2

It might help if you said where this one was. I am guessing it is the one near the river which is Old Town, I believe, although there is another one more central near Powder Gate. I don't like that location at all of the one near the river. Yes, I would definitely pay more to be in a different location, but you may not. It's near some super big highway(s), although it isn't too far from Florenc metro stop. There is a bus line that runs along that river right next to the Hilton, line 207 which goes over near the Staromestska metro stop before turning around. That is the one over towards Charles Bridge (but not at it yet). You have to check schedules, sometimes buses don't run at night past some hours or other issues. If it works for you, I like the buses. I think this page has info on the bus lines and schedules http://czech-transport.com/index.php?id=155

Now I don't really know where the 207 bus line stops near the Hilton, I just know it runs along that street and even turns going towards Florenc metro right at that corner where the Hilton is (Ke Stvanici). In that direction, it actually goes to Bila labut dept store and Namesti Republicky metro stop which is very near the other Hilton. So it should be okay for you as a way of getting to more central points. There is also a tram that runs along Wilsonova as I take that at times, and that isn't very far from the Hilton.

I may not remembe all details, but it seems to me the metro mainly has stairs.

I personally wouldn't want to stay in that location regardless of the bus/tram options as I like to walk around to local cafes or restaurants near my hotel at night.

whoa, here is photo of escalator at Namesti Republicky, how could I forget that http://www.flickriver.com/photos/k_man123/4198784156/

here's one with stairs

whoops http://www.triposo.com/poi/SmC3ADcho...Prague_Metro29

The Hilton is just outside the centre, but it's within easy walking distance. The Florenc tram stop is just round the corner and trams go into the city centre.

Agree with Davecr. My husband's office is right next door and I take both the tram and the metro from Florenc often. There is an elevator at the metro station there, though you have to look for it.

The location is fine, but not esp. attractive (referenced highway). It is about a 5-10 minute walk into the Old Town.

Just beware that the restaurant in that Hilton is incredibly spendy.

Prague escalators are definitely something And they go fast too.