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Fodor's Expert Review Ventana Hotel Prague

Name: Ventana Hotel Prague
Address: Celetná 7, Praha, Prague, 110 00, Czech Republic
Telephone: -221–776–600
Price range: $$$

Celetná 7, Praha, Prague 110 00, Czech Republic See on Map

Jennifer Rigby

Surprisingly quiet considering its location just steps from Old Town Square, the Ventana delivers old-school style and charm in spades. Beautiful black and white tiles line the lobby of this grande old dame building, and staff go out of their way to make the grown-up, old-fashioned crowd that stays here feel at home. The standard, beige rooms lack a little of the wow-factor of the lobby (and the bar, housed in a five-story atrium with a serious chandelier in the middle), although the two-floor loft rooms complete with beams are pretty special, and many rooms offer views of the Prague skyline, picturesque Tyn Church, or Old Town Square itself. A good breakfast and Wi-Fi are included.

room

The standard rooms aren't particularly exciting, although the neutral tones are soothing after a day pounding the cobblestones and there are good views in some. The 10 beam-lined lofts and Old Town Square suites--which feel like your own apartment in the heart of Prague--are more interesting, although the prices are correspondingly higher.

YOU SHOULD KNOW Some of the rooms with good views of Tyn church are near the elevator, which can be a little noisy.

bathroom

The hotel is very proud of its Philippe Starck-designed bathtubs, although they seemed like your standard (admittedly well-designed) tubs to us. There are attractive Italian mosaics in the Old Town Square suite bathrooms.

lobby

The chic tiled lobby provides an old-school glamour hit--but not too much of one, because it is quite small.

Staff at the Ventana go out of their way to make guests feel special. Among the most accommodating in Prague.

dining

Breakfast is included, but there's no restaurant for lunch or dinner.

drinking

The source of the Ventana's wow-factor lies in its bar, housed in a five-story atrium topped by a gorgeous Swarovski Crystal hand cut chandelier. Its shards reach up to 20 feet down and glitter above you as you sip your evening tipple.

LOCATION

Getting Around

On foot is the best way to see much of Prague, and particularly from a hotel as central as the Ventana. There are metro and tram stops a short walk away too. Taxis in Old Town are best avoided, as they can be expensive and much of the center is pedestrianised anyway.

Restaurants

For a change from Prague's standard stodgy-yet-satisfying fare, try Beas (3-minute walk), an inexpensive vegan and vegetarian Indian-style buffet. Or a little further up Tynska, there's Divinis (3-minute walk), an pared back Italian restaurant with great wines.

Bars

Sophisticated cocktail joint Bar and Books (3-minute walk) is a mere stumbling distance away (the drinks are a little more costly than the average, but you pay for quality). Or the Grand Cafe Orient (2-minute walk), a gorgeous, historic cafe and bar housed in the Czech Cubist museum at the House of the Black Madonnna (U Černé Matky Boží), is at the end of the street. Its balcony is perfect for an aperitif.

WHY WE LIKE IT

The Ventana's understated glamor harks back to the old days of travel, when monogrammed suitcases and silk patterned pocket handkerchiefs were the norm. A great location and stately, polite service complete the package.