where to stay in prague?
 

I want to spent 5 nights in Prague with my husband and five-year-old daughter next January. I want advice on where to stay. I would love a small hotel or pension with lots of charm, very friendly staff and very central so that we can walk to all the sites. We need a large triple room or suite, but don't need any fancy amenities like room service or a bar.<BR><BR>Also, can anybody advise on things that might interest a five year old? Are there any playgrounds in Prague??

The following website lists great suggestions for restaurants in Prague, including some with adjacent small parks that cater to families , etc... The list does emphasize summer activities, though. <BR><BR>http://www.squaremeal.cz/pages/indexframe.html<BR><BR>I hope you don't mind me offering an honest opinion. January in Prague doesn't appear to be the best idea of a vacation with a 5-yr old. Prague is a beautiful city with incredible architecture and culture. January can be rainy and cold and relying on public parks and playgrounds to entertain your 5-yr old might not be a promising undertaking. While I have no doubts that where there is a will, there is a way, vacation time should be a time for everybody to enjoy doing what is appropriate. Just my opinion. Hope you all enjoy whatever you choose to do.

would agree with maira--the central part of Prague especially is particularly lacking in child-size activities and the weather will probably not be good for family style outings. If you are hoping for a sitter at this small hotel with charm that probably won't be easy either. children are going to be in daycare at that time of year or inside with the family--no company for your daughter. The joy of prague is walking around in good weather--can you pick another city and not ruin prague for yourselves?

For the hotel I would recommend the adjoining rooms at the Hotel Salvator (http://www.salvator.cz) For the childrens entertainment look at the &quot;Prague with kids&quot; page at http://www.jasoncholt.com/prague<BR><BR>Jason

we had a very nice experience with the Rezidence Lundborg. It is literally beside the Charles Bridge on the old town side. <BR><BR>http://www.lundborg.se/gb/presentation_01.html<BR><BR>All rooms are suite style and I believe some were 2 bedroom. <BR><BR>Free computer/Internet in each room that may keep your daughter occupied while at the hotel .

How eexpensive is this place? Looks great, but more than we want to spend. Their website doesn't say (and yes, I will write to them). Although I would appreciate a reply here, steve, if you recall.<BR><BR>And on a separate note, we are considering apartments from www.travel.cz at Nerudova 40 in Mala Strana - - does anyone have any comments on this location?<BR><BR>Thanks in advance... and...<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>[email protected]<BR>

We stayed at Pension Balbin, but is now Guesthouse Balbin. It is on the top floors of an apartment building with elevator after 1st flight of stairs and has locked door to outside so safe. It is near the Muzeum Metro and Wenceslas Square so 5-10 minute walk to just about anywhere you want to go. They have at least one triple room, shower/toilet in room, very clean, nice staff, and very good buffet breakfast. You can read about it and other on nethotels.com or www.avetravel.cz

The reply did come overnight from Rezidence Lundborg. Their 2 bedroom suite is normally $450, they offered it at $360 with internet booking this week. Still a good bit more than we are shooting to spend per night for this trip, but the value seems prett appropriate for this price to me.<BR><BR>Tried to check out Balbin, but somehow seemed to get connected to www.praguecity.cz and this seems to be more up my alley at 1600 + 1900 CZK (less than $125 total) for a double and a triple room. any one know this place, or its location? Stitneho 13, Prague 3 - - says there is a tram stop 50 m away. Probably no elevator as they do not mention one, and looks lile it could be on the top floor of a 4 story building. Still waiting to hear from some other options.<BR>

I used Travelcook.com - as have other Fodorites who have been to Prague. I had some more questions that their website couldn't answer so I emailed them and they responded. I got complimentry car service form the airport to my hotel and one night free. I have no problems with using this service again.<BR><BR>http://travelcook.com/English/

Rex,<BR>Sorry for the late reply. We paid $150 give or take for a one bedroom suite. They actually quoted us a higher price, but were willing to come down when we asked for a discount. <BR><BR>Yes, it is a nice hotel. <BR><BR>

In Prague, we stayed at the U Krale Karla, which is just beneath the Castle. Up a steep hill from the bridge and touristy area. Very charming, with helpful staff and cozy breakfast room. We were two adults, and so don't know about traveling w/ children. But, one of our favorite activities was the tour of the Jewish ghetto led by a young college student. More verbal history than sites to see though.

Ok, once you were able to find Pension Balbin on the sites I mentioned. Now, it appears that you must go to www.pragueaccommodation.org <BR>Anyway, if you are interested, you can find the information there. Have a good trip. Be sure to see the Charles Bridge at night---very romantic.

We stayed at the Cloister Inn and it would meet some but not all of your requirements. It was very reasonable and our room was sort of a mini-suite---had a bedroom and a little sitting area where I'm sure it would be easy to put a bed for your child. It was not what I would call &quot;charming&quot; by a long shot---but it was clean, recently renovated, had a very helpful staff and a good convenient location. we really loved Prague---hope you have a good time.

Rex, regarding those two potential locations -- Nerudova is a well-known street in Mala Strana with a lot of cute small shops, cafes, etc. It's a nice area and you won't have trouble finding a place to eat or drink, however, it is a very small narrow street and any room on it will be rather noisy, I would guess. Also, 40 is near the top of the street, not the bottom, and is not that near a metro stop nor perhaps tram stop. It's a hilly street, also, going up to the castle. So, I think that is a &quot;nice&quot; location but I myself would opt for something more convenient for going to/from tourist activities.<BR><BR>The other place is not central Prague, of course, it's the Zizkov outer area. That's certainly an okay area, in fact, I think it's becoming the trendy, hip, artsy area of Prague and rents are going up as that happens, like any city. If there is one or becoming one, that particular street is somewhat a center of gay life in Prague, I have read, with some clubs, etc for that community. It sounds like an okay area to stay (I think I was in it once by accident and it's fine), but as a tourist, I'm not sure it's such a good idea -- in particular, I would not stay in a place dependent only on tram transportation as some of those get few and far between at night.

LindaW, you recommended the Gusethouse Balbin. It sounds like a nice place. Do they have a checkin desk in the building or do you need to arrange to get a key before you get there?

I hate to be an old fuddy-duddy, but as a grandpa, let's go back to Maira's question. We visited Prague last June, and we have watched the weather reports (along with several other European locales). Have you seriously checked out the weather for that part of the continent for Jan? There were many days over the last 5 weeks or so with snow, rain and high winds, along with temps below 0 c. That's below freezing. Playgrounds?<BR>www.weatherchannel.com can give you historical weather conditions anywhere in the world.<BR>In the conde nast Traveler this month, reports that after the flood the zoo will be closed indefinately. You should consider bringing along lots of things to do for your 5 yr old. Don't think she'll be going out much.<BR>I don't mean this post to be harsh, really I don't. just trying to help.

Denis, I think we had to buzz them from the street with an intercom. The rates are very reasonable.

To Christina, Jason (Holt), Ben or others:<BR><BR>Almost getting too many choices on my list. Any opinions on the location of this place in Prague 5?<BR><BR>http://www.praguebedandbreakfast.com/e/andel2.html<BR><BR>Very close, it seems to underground, even if not in the &quot;thick of things&quot;.<BR><BR>Looks like good value for the price.<BR>

Hi Nicol,<BR> You might want to look at the Pension Dientzenhofer.<BR>http://www.dientzenhofer.cz/<BR> We stayed there a few years ago and loved it. Short walk to Charles Bridge.

At least it's near a metro stop (Andel) and looks ok I guess. That area isn't bad at all, I've been there. It's near Bertramka (where Mozart stayed for a while, it's now a museum/performance space) which is rather an elegant area, near a park, and there are some nice avenues near there with shops, cafes, etc. Also, there is a famous beer company near there which you can tour if you want (Staropramen)<BR>http://www.staropramen.cz/<BR><BR>I would consider that place near Andel. <BR><BR>Have you seen www.marys.cz web site? it's very good and has some apartments. I've seen several good comments/recommendations of her service.