The Emblem Hotel - Prague

November 30, 2017 - When our 2017 Christmas Markets river cruise assignment called for two nights in Prague and we needed hotel accommodations, our research turned up The Emblem Hotel. 

Emblem Hotel Old Town Prague

Some hotels in Prague claim the "Old Town" location, but may be many miles from the actual historical sights. The Emblem Hotel is truly just steps from about everything you want to see in Prague, yet, is tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the popular tourist areas.

Check-in was very informal and efficient. We arrived at The Emblem in the morning after an all-night flight and were greeted by a hotel Reception staff member who invited us to sit in the Reception lounge and offered us a beverage. Rather than having to stand at a check-in counter, we were comfortably seated while they brought us the necessary documents required for check-in.

Reception Lounge

We were pleasantly surprised to learn that our room was ready and that the luggage we had shipped to the hotel a few days earlier (we informed Reception in advance that we were shipping our luggage to the hotel), was already in our room and waiting for us. Nice!

Our room, a Queen Dom, was small at only 228 sq. ft., but the efficient layout and design make it quite livable. The mattress, pillows and linens were all top quality and very comfortable. That is something that we appreciated when trying to shed jet lag from an all-night flight. We also were impressed with how well the hotel room was insulated from noise coming from adjacent rooms. The only sounds were occasional noises from the street below, but we hardly heard anything.

The entire lower level of the hotel (below Ground level) is referred to as "The M Lounge" and is a perfect place to spread out and relax at any time of day. I found it to be the perfect early morning spot for coffee and work. There is an automatic coffee machine here that is available 24 hours a day. I never checked to see what was in the samovar -- perhaps hot water for tea?

Coffee Machine

The M Lounge is divided into several rooms, some best-suited for conferences or small meetings. The Salon was furnished like a large living room with sofas, big screen television, and coffee tables. The hotel invites guests to use the hotel's public areas as they would their own homes.

The Salon

The Salon is where I sat to work and enjoy coffee in the mornings. And, on many evenings, the hotel offers a "happy hour" in the M Lounge with complimentary wine and snacks.

Rickee enjoys a glass of complimentary wine in The Salon

As an added value, our room rate included breakfast which is served each morning in the hotel's resident restaurant, George Prime Steak. An extensive buffet of fruit, meats and cheeses, breads, pastries, cereals and juices is augmented by a small á la carte menu with eggs made to order, omelettes, porridge (I am from Texas so I have no idea what that is), and a dish called "American Pancake."

Breakfast buffet at George Prime Steak

You should also consider making reservations one evening for dinner at George Prime Steak since it is one of the highest-rated steakhouses in Prague.

I mentioned that the hotel is literally just steps from Prague's Old Town Square. In less than five minutes, you can walk to the Astronomical clock, or the famous Charles Bridge. At the end of our stay, we met some other river cruise guests who opted for the cruise line recommended hotel (Hilton Old Town). When we saw the location of the Hilton, we were so pleased that we had chosen The Emblem. The Hilton and the Marriott were miles from the sights to which we had walked in only minutes from The Emblem.

The Old Town Square is just a minute’s walk from The Emblem Hotel

When it came time for us to explore Prague, the Emblem's Reception staff were more than willing to offer suggestions, map out a walking route, or make restaurant reservations for us. They could not have been nicer. And, here's a first for us: in the room there is a complimentary "Handy" cell phone that you can take with you on your walks around Prague. You can make unlimited local or international phone calls, or use the phone's built-in walking maps and guides. Another HUGE value!

With comfortable accommodations, an excellent breakfast, and an unbeatable location, The Emblem Hotel is our new favorite hotel in Prague Old Town!

For more information, or to make a reservation, go to http://www.emblemprague.com