Hotel Clement Prague

For its price range and category, the Hotel Clement is a sharp, contemporary choice with plenty of personality. Quirky designs -- such as a front desk set on stacks of books -- give the hotel a charming vibe, and thoughtful touches are the norm and include welcome treats that often sit in a basket on the check-in counter. Built in 1935, the hotel has a pleasant exterior, featuring gold-framed windows and a gold awning over the small entrance, where there’s an intercom to the reception desk. The compact interiors are homey and warm, with a few cozy places for guests to relax in between sightseeing excursions. A photo exhibition, whose proceeds go to charity, is on display on the ground floor and in the modern breakfast room, and there are burgundy contemporary chairs are in the lobby bar. In the warmer months, guests can dine or drink in the courtyard. The hotel, which is slightly off the beaten path but still within an easy walk of Old Town, draws mainly couples and families to its reasonably priced rooms.

Just on the fringes of Prague’s historic center, the Hotel Clement Prague is on a quiet residential street with a few shops and cafes nearby. It’s a five-minute walk to the massive Palladium mall that has 170 shops and 30 restaurants. Across the street from the hotel is a playground in a park. Of course, many visitors to Prague are in town to see the city's gorgeous historic district, Old Town, and it's only a 10-minute walk to Starometske Namesti, the Old Town Square. The Vitava riverfront and the Klementinum -- a gorgeous Baroque library -- are both within Old Town as well. Wenceslas Square, which is home to a lively bar and nightlife scene, is a 15-minute walk from the hotel. It's a bit further to sights like St. Vitus Cathedral and Prague Castle -- both can be reached in 25 to 30 minutes on foot, but a cab will be faster and makes the trip in less than 10 minutes. The Lesser Quarter (Mala Strana), which is home to St. Nicholas Church, is also less than 10 minutes away by taxi. From there travelers can walk to the Charles Bridge. Additionally, there is a metro station at Namesti Republiky that's only a five-minute walk from the hotel and can transport visitors around the city. The drive to the Vaclav Havel Airport Prague takes 25 to 30 minutes. 

The 76 rooms at the Hotel Clement Prague have coordinated color schemes that give them a sharp, modern look. Standard Rooms are decorated in beige, brown, and golds, and Superior Rooms, three of which have balconies, are done up in a snazzier red, black, and white motif. Superior Panoramic Rooms have river views from windows that curve up to the ceiling. One-bedroom Superior Suites also have modern red and black decor and separate living rooms with sofa beds and two bathrooms. There isn't much in the way of wall art across the board, but categories above Standard Rooms have a bit more visual flair -- the slatted accent wall and ceiling feature in the Superior Room that we visited was particularly memorable. All rooms have flat-screen TVs, bathrobes and slippers, mini-fridges, kettles, safes, and higher-end rooms have Nespresso coffeemakers, minibars, and fruit plates. Mosaic tiled bathrooms offer hairdryers and walk-in showers or shower/tub combos with low-hanging shower heads. Upgraded rooms have rainfall showerheads that suit taller guests. Reduced mobility rooms are available. 

The Hotel Clement Prague serves a free breakfast buffet in a modern, bright dining room with white and green chairs. Offerings include meats, cheeses, breads, and fruit and service starts early for guests looking to get a jump on sightseeing or leaving for an early flight. When weather permits, breakfast is also served on charming terrace, where vines climb up trellises. A small lobby bar has a comfortable modern lounge with postcards and gourmet chocolate bars for sale. A computer and printer are available to guests in the hallway on the ground floor, and two meeting rooms can fit 10 and 60 people. The hotel’s underground garage has parking for a fee with a car lift that’s accessible from the street, but larger cars cannot be accommodated. The concierge desk can help guests book airport transfers and rental cars, and arrange tours and tickets. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.