My recent itinerary to the Czech Republic opened and closed with stays in Prague, in two hotels opened just this spring and located across a tiny square from one another. Further, they are only a couple of blocks from the Powder Gate Tower and a short additional walk away from Prague’s Old Town Square.
The Powder Gate Tower, the entrance to Prague’s Old Town, located two or three blocks from the Andaz Prague and the Julius. The Municipal Hall is to the right.
First up was the 176-room Andaz Prague, the Czech Republic’s first Hyatt hotel, fashioned within and preserving a historic building with an oddly shaped footprint planted on an oddly shaped patch of land.
Second came the Julius, a rather spare creation inside a mostly new build, with two themes: high tech and sustainability. High tech, BTW, means no phones in the rooms. Just thought I would mention that right off the bat.
Andaz Prague: Constructed in 1916 as headquarters for the Sugar Industry Insurance Association and popularly known as the Sugar Palace, this building in its current iteration nicely repurposes original structural features.
Exterior of the Andaz Prague, located in a former office building known as the Sugar Palace.
For example, two original outdoor courtyards are now indoor spaces topped with glass. One is the hotel bar, the Mez, inviting and a great place for a party! The other formerly open courtyard is part of the larger reception area and convertible for events.
Mez Bar in the Andaz Prague
Casual comfort found in a series of lounges near reception in the Andaz Prague.
And another thing: Because of the rooflines, rooms on the top floor have the appearance of an attic and feel like cozy apartments.
The hotel is full of design touches that may cause guests to ask, what is going on here?
The designers sought to tell stories that are unique to Prague or the Czech Republic. Two of those themes appeared in my room (as well here and there in the halls and public spaces).
Most prominently, there were the lion heads, recalling the medieval knight Bruncvik, who, legend says, saved a lion from a dragon after which the lion was a constant companion. A lion watched over my bed and decorated a table, while his paws supported bed stands.
And there were the golems, a nod to the city’s Jewish Quarter and the tradition of the helpful or protective golem. In my room, one seemed to support a mirror and another supported a lamp.
A third theme centers on Libuse, a legendary ruler said to have predicted the founding of Prague, a city “whose fame will touch the stars.” Thus, in some rooms and hallways, visitors find sculptures of a hand reaching for the stars and large eyes of the visionary Libuse.
A top-floor room in the Andaz Prague, where ceiling lines imitate an attic and the bas-relief sculpture at far left, showing a hand reaching for the stars, illustrates the Libuse myth. Photo courtesy of the Andaz Prague.
I liked this hotel more the longer I stayed, as I understood more of its stories — and got better acquainted with its idiosyncratic floor plan.
For the next few months, at least, room rates start at about $410 (390 euros), single occupancy, and $452 (430 euros), double occupancy, breakfasts included. All rates include free minibars, stocked with all Czech products but no alcohol. Guests in suites also can choose one free sightseeing option.
Some other interesting factoids: Andaz guests can heat their bathroom floors; this is a no-smoking property; guests can select preferred rooms via the World of Hyatt app, Mobile Key feature — and the hotel offers private entrances for guests who need the extra privacy.
The Julius: The first of a new Austria-based brand, the Julius in Prague is notable for simple clean lines, a high-tech vibe and a high proportion of suites.
The Julius exterior in Prague.
I stayed there in May during the so-called soft opening period; the formal debut was set for late June. Most services seemed on track — though designers don’t always get it all right on the first try. We did not have wastebaskets. That is being fixed.
As to technology, the presumption is that guests will load the property’s service app on their cellphones upon arrival. That tool is designed to let guests check in, make service requests, order food from inside or outside the property, interact with an on-site self-service laundry and chat with staff at reception. The front desk is manned 24/7, and guests have the option of checking in there or at an adjacent kiosk, as well.
The lobby bar, adjacent to the front desk at the Julius.
With no in-room phones, old-fashioned stuff like room-to-room calls or wake-up calls are gone — as if they weren’t already.
In the push to be green certified, the Julius, a no-smoking property, promises sustainable amenities and organic cotton goods. It has electric-vehicle charging stations in the parking garage in anticipation of coming demand.
The Julius, which owners call a residence not a hotel, is designed for long-stay guests; most rooms are big enough to qualify as a New York City apartment, or even a big NYC apartment!
Among the 168 rooms, 124 have kitchens, some quite large, and dining spaces. Plus 93 have pullout sofa beds that accommodate two additional people.
What does all of this cost? The minimum room rate is about $182 (175 euros) for the smallest room accommodating two, without kitchen.
One more thing: The property is part of Julius Meinl Living, a family business that originated in 1862 when Julius Meinl opened a grocery store in Vienna. That background dovetails well with a property with lots of kitchens. The Julius in Prague will have its own grocery store by September.
I meant to make this a single posting about three hotels, but it was getting too long. Discussion of a historic property in Karlovy Vary is found here: https://besttripchoices.com/czech-republic-karlovy-varys-grande-dame/
For more information about Prague, we offer at BestTripChoices.com the following, under the headline, From palaces to puppets, at https://besttripchoices.com/prague-czech-republic/
This blog and its photos, except where indicated, are by Nadine Godwin, BestTripChoices.com editorial director and contributor to the trade newspaper, Travel Weekly. She also is the author of “Travia: The Ultimate Book of Travel Trivia.”
