21 Best Hotels in Western Bohemia, Czech Republic

The granddaddy of them all, this is one of Central Europe's most famous resorts, going back some 220 years. Under the communists, when the hotel was called "Grandhotel Moskva," it was neglected but now has returned to its high standards. So much so, in fact, that it was the stand-in for the Montenegro casino in the Bond flick Casino Royale. The baroque-style rooms are quite large, and come well furnished with a big tub and a flat-screen TV. Be warned, though, that extras don't come cheap; for much of the money-is-no-object clientele, it's beside the point. Every July the Pupp houses international movie stars in town for the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (you'll see their photos in the hallways). The hotel is split into two connected parts: five-star Grandhotel Pupp Riverside and the slightly cheaper four-star Grandhotel Pupp Parkside. The parking lot has a walk of fame with brass bricks that list the names of famous guests.

On a peaceful bend in the river, this family-run hotel includes spacious, well-appointed rooms. The Embassy is more intimate and personal than the Carlsbad Plaza or Grandhotel Pupp—in fact, dollar for dollar, the rooms are actually a bit nicer, some sporting period furniture, wallpaper, and drapery not out of place in a 19th-century château. The hotel offers greens-fee discounts and starting times at four local courses for the golf-obsessed, and massages and spa treatments for those who are not.

"Three Lilies" is thoroughly elegant, from its brasserie to its guest rooms, some of which have balconies with French doors. The hotel once accommodated the likes of Goethe and Metternich, and re-established itself as the most comfortable spa hotel in town after an expensive renovation in 1995. (The building dates to 1793.) In the center of the spa quarter, this three-story yellow building has what many others lack—air-conditioning.

One block from the main square, this charming family-run hotel is a favorite among visiting Germans, so book ahead, especially on weekends. The clean, rather large rooms are simply furnished in modern style and get plenty of direct sunlight. The front desk can also arrange hunting and fishing trips with guides.

A luxury hotel a stone's throw from the Grandhotel Pupp, Carlsbad Plaza is aimed at Karlovy Vary's wealthiest visitors. Everything here speaks refinement, down to the lunchtime dress code: "jacket and tie" for men. The staff tries hard to maintain the highest standards, but the overall effect can be fussy and distant. The rooms are tastefully furnished, with all modern conveniences. Reserve the "Moser Crystal Suite" if you've just cashed out your 401(k). The wellness center (a small pool and sauna complex), spa, and fitness centers offer every comfort and treatment yet invented.

Near the colonnade and Ambrose Spring, this eggshell-white spa hotel offers unusual treatments such as magnetotherapy and peat packs. The wooden pavilion of the Mary Spring, used in special "gaseous" therapy, stands opposite the entrance to the courtyard. The rooms aren't anything exemplary, though the extensive use of marble in the bathrooms is a nice touch. Judging by the number of seniors sitting around the lobby, it's a favorite with the over-70 set.

This sleek property offers all the amenities a visiting American could hope for, right down to the flat-screen televisions and ice machines in the hallways on each floor. Rooms that look onto the park are the quietest and have the best views; there's also an impressive fitness center. Inquire about theme packages, such as one for beer tourism.

Formerly the Grand Spa Marienbad, this Austrian-owned hotel is made up of three interconnected buildings and boasts the most rooms and the biggest wellness center in Mariánské Lázně. It even pumps mineral water from its own spring in the center of town. The spa area is an impressive mix of medical treatments, including 11 types of massage. Room decor tries to go for a more modern look than many of the time-warped competitors. Access to spa and saunas is included in the room fee.

This regal hotel at the top of Hlavní Street has a full range of spa and wellness facilities including a pool and a sauna. With commanding views of the main spa area, the rooms are toned down and tastefully modern, in contrast to the over-exuberant balcony-studded, yellow art nouveau façade. Rooms with a view over the park are worth the extra money. The hotel is decorated with pictures of the Pacific Ocean.

As an alternative to some of the posher places in town, this late-19th-century hotel feels pleasantly down-to-earth. The crystal chandeliers in the lobby and graciously proportioned rooms—some with balconies off the front—are like stepping into the days of Goethe. The upgraded spa offers aromatherapy baths, peat wraps, and underwater massage. The helpful staff can arrange spa treatments and horseback riding. 

This angular 1960s structure is recommendable for its sunny rooms, friendly staff, and great location, right on the main square. The property includes a small spa and a hairdresser on the second floor. Some rooms have been redone with a modern, trendy look. Czar Alexander of Russia once stayed at this location, when the hotel was a charming inn known as the Golden Eagle.

The hotel, which opened in 1990, occupies three renovated houses that overlook Nová louka and the Teplá River. Rooms are decked out in cheery yellows and reds, and there's an excellent in-house restaurant and full spa facilities; request a room with a bay-window view overlooking the busy street or river. The staff is invaluable for booking last-minute spa activities like massages.

A superb choice, the Gondola is clean and quiet with cozy brick-walled rooms and modern facilities, including air-conditioning—all just a few steps away from the central square. The rooms have separate baths and showers, flat-screen TVs, and free high-speed Internet access. The innocuous exterior belies the quality of the hotel within. Check for weekend discounts.

A clean, safe bet if you've arrived in town without reservations and don't want to spend your savings on a room. The location, smack-dab in the main spa area, couldn't be better. The look—wood flooring and fixtures with limited flourishes throughout—is more austere than other properties in town, but comes across as more restrained than plain. The hotel can arrange spa services nearby but lacks its own facilities.

This neo-Renaissance hotel and spa—opened in 1896—boasts an opulent façade and public spaces, but these give way to slightly austere rooms. Some, however, do offer lovely views onto a park. In the center of the building a cast-iron sculpture of the donor of health, Hygiea, is carried by the sea god Triton, the son of Neptune. He stands on top, stressing the importance of water in spa treatments. Inside, the complex of Roman baths is decorated with marble, and houses period frescoes. Nonetheless, this is a serious spa, aimed at spa package devotees rather than overnight visitors.

A 10-minute tram ride from the center, this large hotel built in 2004 near the Borský Park is perfect for anyone passing through town with a car. Rooms are modern with dark wood, large windows, gigantic bathtubs, free Wi-Fi, and drinks in the room. There's also a passable fitness center, an outdoor pool, and tennis courts within the hotel complex.

The family-operated hotel is another good last-minute option right in the center of town, with pastel yellow rooms that are brightened by the occasional exposed wooden beam or windowsill flower box. The mosaic-tiled pool in the spa area is a keeper, as is the hotel's restaurant, which is one of Karlovy Vary's best. Room price includes use of sauna, pool, and Wi-Fi.

An alternative to the upscale spa hotels in the center, this small family-operated pension is in a more residential area and offers nine rooms, two with balconies. While it lacks most spa services, it does offer bicycle rentals, and the house's backyard can be used for grilling. Microwave ovens and electric water kettles can be borrowed.

More than adequately comfortable and well-priced given its location in the center of the spa district, the Růže also offers an array of modern spa services like bubble baths and massage. Many of the rooms overlook the colonnade. The triples are a good deal if you're traveling as a family or group. In the warmer months, you can enjoy the hotel restaurant's summer garden.

Framed on a hilltop off a side street above the spa, the Jean de Carro sits comfortably above the fray. The hotel is a warren of three interconnected properties; standard rooms are cramped compared with the suites, but every room in the hotel offers views of the town. Grab a seat at one of the outdoor umbrella-covered tables to while away the hours picking out Karlovy Vary's landmarks and enjoying its lush green surroundings; from this panoramic viewpoint it's worth the climb. The hotel offers delicious-sounding chocolate massage, honey massage, and cinnamon packs among its treatments.

Neo-Gothic in style—on the outside, anyway—this spa hotel has fairly spartan rooms and a slight hospital vibe (it takes treatment rather seriously), but the location is excellent and treatments are gently priced. Try to ignore the "intestinal irrigation" signs by the entrance. It is also less private, as the general public also uses the spa. Classical-music lovers may find it charming, as the Karlovy Vary Symphony Orchestra plays in a concert hall located in the same building. Half board and full board are available, but single occupancy of double rooms isn't allowed.