Nicknamed the ‘city of a thousand spires’ for its countless domed churches and ancient towers soaring high above the one thousand year old city skyline, Prague has always been considered one of Europe’s most treasured cities. No matter where you look, the city rewards you with outstanding examples of architectural gems.
Gothic, Baroque, Renaissance and Art Nouveau styles mark the old urban scenery, contrasting with Prague’s ancient castle. Home to one of the best preserved historic city centers in Europe, Prague is sure to astonish everyone with its wondrous squares, old houses and historical buildings waiting to be discovered.
Wandering the city’s spectacular narrow streets will lead you to many of its iconic landmarks. Among all there is to see, be sure to explore the dazzling Jewish Quarter with its esteemed synagogues, the legendary Charles Bridge that stretches over the Vltava River and at least some of the many fine historic churches.
You won’t need to spend too much time in Prague to realize why it was chosen as the capital of the Holy Roman Empire back in ancient times. Even today it’s still one of the largest cities in Europe and plays important political, commercial and cultural roles. We always come here with pleasure and this time we chose to stay in a historic hotel, a few steps away from the old town center.
First Impression
After an extensive renovation of the building,Century Old Town Prague – MGallery By Sofitel has reopened its doors to guests a few years ago. The 5-star hotel has gone through a full restoration which has completely transformed its historic interiors, adding a contemporary touch to the rich classical heritage, creating an exceptional ambiance.
This upscale hotel is located right in the heart of Prague, next to the Old Town Square where the grand medieval astronomical clock of the Old Town City Hall rises in remembrance of the great architects of the past. The building in which the hotel resides today was built in the Neo-Baroque style in the 19th century by Prague’s famous architect Alfonse Wertmuller.
It was the former office of the Workers’ Accident Insurance of Kingdom of Bohemia where Franz Kafka worked between 1908 and 1922 as an insurance clerk. Kafka’s spirit is kept alive by his bronze sculpted bust welcoming guests in the lobby of the hotel.
The property became a hotel in 2002 and in 2009 it was included in the MGallery By Sofitel portfolio. It impresses everyone with the Neo-Baroque facade and the astonishing stairway with its marble steps, columns and wrought-iron banister as the main features.
After the renovation, a total of 169 rooms were transformed into 5* room categories ranging from Classic to Suite. The Living Room, the hotel’s elegant Restaurant, the lobby Bar and the long corridors artistically bring together the classic and the modern in a fresh design. The bright spacious interiors feature marble parquet, stylish black and gold decorations with deep green velvet finishing in sober lines.
Accommodation
When we visited, we had the good fortune to stay in a superb Executive Room on the first floor, that was very spacious and looked like it was brand new. From the first step inside we couldn’t help but notice the amazing attention to detail in combining the historical richness of the interiors with all the modern amenities one could ever need.
The comfortable Sofitel MyBed stood out surrounded by a Flat Screen TV, a stocked mini bar, a chic foldable sofa for a 3rd person and a coffee / tea set. The free WIFI was pretty fast and the Air-cooling system couldn’t have missed; the possibility to store our valuables in a safe was also a reassuring addition.
The shower was very nice as well, with Lanvin amenities, comfy bathrobes and slippers waiting for us by the door, making us feel at home. We simply loved how the modern design has been integrated into the Neo-Baroque interiors to complement the rich history of the hotel building.
The whole design speaks of Franz Kafka through the evocative irregular patterns, splashes and ink lines and the inspirational quotes on the walls. His presence can still be felt in the luxurious Kafka Suite. Now a mid-20th century Cubism and Art Deco inspired suite, it used to be the writer’s office back in the days.
Eating and Drinking
When it comes to eating in Prague, the hotel’s elegant La Veranda Restaurant will be everything you ever wished for. The friendly atmosphere of the restaurant, the quality and always fresh ingredients and their wide selection of international specialties prepared with great care by their seasoned chefs will provide an exquisite culinary experience.
If you’re in for some fine cocktails and tasty snacks, be sure not to miss their elegant Hedgehog Bar, the only place you’ll ever wish to be after a full day of city exploration or business meetings in Prague.
For wine and liqueur lovers, the hotel’s beautiful Chapter Bar offers a more intimate, cozy and warm atmosphere that will make you feel like you traveled back in time to the beginning of the century. And their wine and liqueur selection is no less than exceptional.
The Bar was no exception from the rehabilitation of the building and the entire concept has been changed, with the Hedgehog bar being inspired from the legendary Czech conundrum ‘The Hedgehog in the Cage’. They even serve one of their cocktails, The Flying Bicycle – which hints to a story involving the famous puzzle, inside a cage as a metaphor of the Czech puzzle.
Final Thoughts
If you want to spend a few unforgettable days in one of Europe’s most charming cities, Hotel Century Old Town Prague is a spectacular choice. We were simply mesmerized by the perfect mix between the old and the new, the hotel’s staff was always super friendly and warm and the restaurant and lobby bar were everything we wished for.
Given what we’ve seen, we’re sure that each MGallery Signature hotel is a wonderful fusion of originality, heritage and serenity, helping you creat inspiring stories and memorable moments.
Where: Hotel Century Old Town Prague – MGallery By Sofitel
Na Poříčí 7, 110 00 Petrská čtvrť, Czech Republic
Phone: +420 221 800 800
Website: Accor.com
Hotel Century Old Town Prague - MGallery By Sofitel
Pros
- Great Location
- Original Design
- Excellent Restaurant
- Wonderful Staff
Cons
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