Francis Spa Hotel

It was a pretty surreal visit. I went with a friend who was picking up a relative, and I thought I'd look around and maybe book a few days of wellness for myself. When we got to the hotel, the main door was locked. An elderly couple were waiting there too, with suitcases, but there was no bell to press and knocking got no response. After a phone call, we were told to go through the car park and enter at the back through the fire exit. The receptionist was polite once she finally showed up, but didn't explain why we had to use the rear door. It was fine for us, but quite a trek for the elderly couple with their bags, and they wouldn't accept help. My friend went to collect his relative from her room. She was elderly and needed help walking, so I stayed at reception to carry the suitcases. Then a young guy came in, who I think was the gardener. He said something in Czech, and I apologized that I didn't speak enough Czech to understand. He stood behind me, puffing out his chest when I glanced over. It was all rather weird. I ignored him, and so did the receptionist. Maybe that's just his thing. When my friend and the others came out, the puffed-up guy got agitated and started firing off a few verbal comments. I couldn't understand them, but his thuggish manner made it clear he was being unpleasant. I did understand the Czech version of "get out now," and he wanted us to leave through the front door, which had been unlocked by then. I wouldn't expect that sort of behavior at a hotel, and the receptionist ignored everything that was going on. Maybe I misread him and he was upset that I hadn't responded, or maybe he was making advances toward me, which would have been completely off the mark. Either way, it was an unpleasant visit, and I wouldn't want to stay there and risk more of the same.

For a weekend away, the location works well: it's an easy walk to the tourist promenade and even closer to Aquaforum. The breakfast is nice, and the rooms are contemporary and okay, though they could use a bit more care. Guests can book spa treatments, but if you're only there a few days, I'd arrange them ahead of time.

It's okay, nothing special. The interior feels old school, and the place seems more geared toward elderly guests. The room smelled really bad, maybe from the shower, along with something like chlorine. The bed wasn't comfortable, with a thin, hard mattress. The food was not bad at all.

The services are good quality, the prices are reasonable, and the staff are great, open-minded people. The food is extraordinary and delicious. Super hotel.