Archibald City

We spent three days here over New Year and had fun in Prague. The rooms were clean and comfortable, somewhere in the middle between old and new. Breakfast was a real highlight: plenty of rice, different meats and cakes, with the cakes served hot and fresh. There was more than enough compared with what we’ve found in other European countries. The downside was getting around on foot in below-zero weather and strong wind. Celebration spots and tourist sights were about a 15-minute walk away, which is why I’d give the location four stars. An Uber was an easy option at around 200-300 CZK. I’d stay here for the breakfast.

Breakfast had plenty to choose from, and the staff kept topping things up so it stayed fresh. Our room was spacious, with a large, clean bathroom. Maryna at reception was attentive and helpful throughout. The hotel isn’t right in the heart of Prague, but it’s easy to reach, with the nearest transport stop only a few minutes away on foot. We had a really pleasant stay and would recommend it.

The room looked nice, and the bathroom had a modern feel. We also enjoyed the breakfast. Sleeping was another matter: it was much too hot in the room. We were told it was 22°C, but it felt clearly warmer, and the air-conditioning unit didn’t work. For a four-star hotel, that wasn’t acceptable, especially with New Year’s Eve prices close to three times the usual rate. We didn’t feel we got good value for the money.

The hotel is conveniently located, and breakfast was fine, though nothing special. Our daytime receptionist made the stay stressful. She was rude from the moment we arrived, never smiled, and seemed irritated whenever we asked for information. At check-in she recorded us using only our passports, then called us over the next day demanding proof of a visa. We have EU residence permits; she simply hadn’t asked to see them on arrival. It left us feeling unwelcome during our holiday. At checkout, before anyone had thanked her, she gave a flat “you’re welcome” that came across as unnecessarily passive-aggressive. We also noticed that the evacuation diagrams send guests to the regular stairs in a fire, and the hotel doesn’t appear to have proper fire escapes. That seems unsafe and should be reviewed by the authorities.