Hotel Josef

This conveniently located 4-star hotel is Prague's first boutique hotel (the Maximillian 2 blocks away is newer and owned by the same company) is designed by Eva Jiricna, a well-known hotel designer from the UK. The minimalist bright white decor is offset by flashy pink and orange accessories throughout, quite a difference from the staid old-style hotels in Prague.

The bright rooms are of average size with all the expected electronic amenities and are immaculate. The highlight of the rooms are the stone bathrooms surrounded by clear glass walls with a semi-translucent sliding panel for privacy. Bathroom fixtures are modern, such as the glass vessel sink. One limitation - short on closet space.

A large airy breakfast room serves an extremely adequate buffet breakfast, overlooking what management describes as the only enclosed hotel courtyard in Prague. A young service staff keeps the offerings up to date and serves good coffeel, all included in the room price. Seating and breakfast tables are available on the patio. The lobby is similarly ultramodern with translucent bar and reception desk.

The staff including the young concierge were cool and aloof, but ultimately helpful and efficient. The hotel is within 10 minutes walk of the Old Town Square and less to many upscale restaurants, the Celetna' pedestrianized shopping street, and the Nam Republicky with metro station and staging ground for guided tours.

Unique Quality: The glass-enclosed bathrooms are the highlights of this hotel (see photos).

Overall we were very pleased here, especially since we discovered a discounted rate through the Tablet Hotels website, a site devoted to modern and boutique-style hotels worldwide.

Despite being close to the Jewish Quarter and close to most of the main attractions, this hotel is in a very quiet location. It certainly isn't a cheap hotel, a standard room is around £100 per night and the superior around £115, however, if you look around online, you may find some good deals, I found a good price on Expedia.
Breakfast was not included in the price when I booked and I would have been charged 500 kc (around £12). Needless to say I took my breakfast in the local coffee bars.
Wireless internet is available free in the hotel lobby and bar area but, as you can imagine, drinks here don't come cheap! There is also a separate area with pc's hooked up to the internet if you don't have your own pc. Again, this is available for free.

Unique Quality: The hotel was developed with designer Eva Jiricna and the rooms certainly are classy. The superior room I stayed in was decorated in subtle grey and orange tones and the highlight was definelty the 'glass bathroom' Don't worry, the toilet and shower are behind frosted glass! The bathroom also has underfloor heating and a great collection of toiletries.
The room comes with a tv showing the usual tv channels (BBC World etc) and also a dvd player. If you have the time you can rent one of several movies available from reception.
This is the only hotel I've stayed in where the maids come to the room twice a day - the first time to clean and make the beds then they return later in the evening with your complimantery bottle of water and to tidy up if necessary.
The staff were all helpful, attentive and spoke perfect English.
If you are prepared to spend a little bit of money but want to stay in a classy, modern hotel this is the place for you. Its certainly not the hotel for the hen/stag nights that you may hear about.

Directions: On Rybná not far from Powder Gate

Hotel Josef is set in Josefov quarter of central Prague. The hotel is architechturally very contemporary. The bath suite in the mid and top grade rooms are with walls of clear glass, with frosted panels for necessary privacy.

The staff is attentive without being intrusive. Each morning's breakfast sets the tone for a perfect day. Customized to your tastebuds and hunger for the day, there is a wide choice from coffee and buiscuits to made to order omelettes.

Unique Quality: Located just a 5 minute walk from Old Town Square and 3 minute walk to the Metro & trams, Hotel Josef is convenient base from which to navigate the city.

Directions: Josefov District

dont book via the hotel, get a cheap deal on lastminute. the hotel charges twice the rate. great hotel, very central for the old town, watch out for the taxi drivers just willing to rip the *** out of you. go to the charles bridge early in the morning, in the winter if you can... trust me., atmospheric or what!

Unique Quality: architectural masterpeice. clean simplistic and hits the spot.

Directions: Next to Old Town

again, a friend stayed here when he was visitng for christmas and new years. extremely nice hotel. his room was just enough for him...nothing too big, but had a nice double bed and a gorgeous bathroom with clear walls! the staff seem to pay good attention to their customers as every time i visited him, they called him by name like he had been staying for a really long time. i was impressed with that!

Unique Quality: very comfortable bed. nice bathrooms. very modern - which can make it feel a bit cold, but the service makes up for it!

Directions: old town

Overall loved this hotel as it is totally what I love in a hotel. Well designed, trendy but not so opressive. Staff was quiet but efficient. Rooms are modern and comfortable. Location could not be any better..few steps to Old Town Square and metro stop 5 mins away.
Free internet terminals and an extensive hot/cold breakfast buffet served in an inside courtyard/garden are highlights.
Rates are reasonable for this type of hotel in Prague. Check out their website for deals.

Unique Quality: modern, trendy

Directions: Stari Mesto

See my main Prague site - well worth a stay

Unique Quality: Perhaps not unique in Prague - but very nearly. A fine hip hotel with all the latest 'cool' gadgets in the room and weird glass bathrooms - not for the shy!

Directions: Five minutes from Old Town - close enough for my wife to walk in killer heels, but far enough away from the 'action'

Great design hotel just 2 minutes walking from Prague Castle. Great rooms and service. Try to get one of the special rooms with the walking bathroom made out of glass - I think its room 408.

Unique Quality: Location around the corner of Prague Castle

Directions: Historic Centre