Karlovy Vary, often referred to by its German name Karlsbad – or Carlsbad – is a charming spa town located in western Bohemia in Czech Republic, a town rich in history, that became famous for its amazing hot springs.
Founded back in 1358, this spa town is located just a little over 100 kilometers west from Prague, on the River Tepla, which flows through the city in a mesmerizing show of high shooting jets of water, clouds of steam and numerous hot springs, offering plenty of curative properties to its visitors.
Across time, some of Karlovy Vary’s famous visitors were illustrious names such as Beethoven, Karl Marx, Schiller, Peter the Great, Chopin and Goethe. The architecture of the city is simply beautiful – rich in late 19th and early 20th centuries’ examples of Neoclassical and Art Nouveau styles and somewhat inspired by the many spa’s scattered across the city.
It’s also a town renowned for its culture and art, with numerous museums, art centers and plenty of events taking place there, such as the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, which is one of the longest running festivals of its kind in Europe. And when you want to come here, there’s no place like the magical Quisisana Palace. We’ve stayed there for three days only but I wish it would have been 3 months.
First Impression
As soon as you set foot inside the gorgeous Quisisana Palace you’re astounded by the serenity of the place, compared to the town’s vivid center and busy tourist spots.
With a tradition in hospitality dating back to the year 1888, Quisisana Palace – member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World – continues to offer its guests an excellent combination of admirable services, exceptional cuisine, luxurious rooms and suites and a grand atmosphere, that goes hand in hand with the town’s rich history.
The staff welcomes you with a sprinkle of rose water as you come in and is always there to assist you with plans for your stay, arrangements in their restaurant, organizing your transport or even booking tickets for the various events happening in the town or helping you with directions around Karlovy Vary’s hidden gems.
Accommodation
Spending a few days in one of Quisisana Palace’s amazing rooms and suites will make you feel like you’re part of the royal family, in those historical times of the past. The classic furniture combined with all the modern amenities and the wonderful views of the river below and the promenade will make your stay that much more pleasant.
We’ve had the opportunity to try one of their extraordinary deluxe suites, that seemed perfect in almost every aspect. The generous living room welcomed us with a luxurious day bed and very comfortable arm chairs, while the 19th century inspired fireplace mesmerized us from the very beginning. Add in an immense balcony, with gorgeous views around, and you get an idea of how awesome this suite really is.
But we instantly forgot about the living room when we entered the lavish bedroom. The royal-like high beds with massive headboards, comfy mattress and pillows and the fresh white sheets made us feel like we were in paradise. Trust us, they were A LOT more comfortable then these photos might suggest.
Then we found the bathroom. It was just majestic. Marble furnishings and glass panels, a soaking tub and the double vanity area made us marvel at every sight inside. And let’s not forget about the toilet with its own telephone and the BULGARI bath accessories.
Eating & Drinking
The hotel’s Cafe-Restaurant Quisisana combines the traditional Czech cuisine with some interesting European touches, offering amazing and unique dishes in a Viennese style atmosphere. They pair everything with a few local wines, other fresh drinks and homemade cakes.
They don’t offer too many options in their breakfast, lunch and dinner menu, but what they do offer is simply delicious. What we tried there left us longing for more. We recommend trying their amazing roast duck and the beef steak. You won’t be disappointed.
The breakfast options are few but tailor made and some examples that we found interesting are the buckwheat blini with black caviar and sour cream, organic yogurt with honey and almond slices or roasted scrambled eggs with almost anything you can possibly wish for.
There is an a-la-carte menu for a stylish breakfast with options for every taste, and if you add fresh juice and a good cup of coffee – or why not, a glass of Moet & Chandon – you can consider that your day has already started on a good tone.
The Spa Suite
If you’re in Karlovy Vary, for sure you’re there to relax and unwind in the city’s many hot springs and take advantage of their healing qualities, but that can also continue in the hotel’s incredible spa suite, with a small Jacuzzi, roomy sauna and aroma steam room.
Quisisana Palace’s sparkling salt baths are a must try, and the skilled beauty and massage experts in their wellness and beauty salon will help you get rid of all the tension and stress of your busy life.
Final Thoughts
The lavish Quisisana Palace doesn’t miss anything. With their incredible rooms, perfectly quiet location right next to Karlovy Vary’s city center and its fantastic hot springs, plus their luxurious spa suite or the elegant cafe and restaurant, this hotel promises a blissful experience.
The welcoming staff are knowledgeable and will do everything in their power to provide the most comfortable stay for their guests. Quisisana Palace is a breath of fresh air in the world of standard outdated historic hotels and we’re sure that every traveler staying there will make a secret promise to themselves to come back soon. We sure did!
Where: Quisisana Palace, Karlovy Vary
Mariánskolázeňská 298, 360 01 Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic
Phone: +39 0472 412120
Website: www.quisisana-palace.com
Quisisana Palace Karlovy Vary
Pros
- Historical Charm
- Lavish Suites
- Great Location
- Excellent Restaurant
- A++ Staff
Cons
- The Wifi Could be Better
