Hotel insider: Hotel Boho, Prague, Czech Republic

The welcome

Traffic is terrible when I leave the airport, but half an hour into the drive, the pretty side of Prague starts to emerge, a show that’s continued until I’m in the vibrant lobby of the hotel, on a quiet side street. There’s enough time to drink a tall glass of juice as forms are filled in, passports scanned and keys handed over. These keys, by the way, are old-school enormous, and should be left behind during outings. The bellhop is in absentia, so I have to drag my bags up the few stairs leading to the lift.

The neighbourhood

Prague’s gorgeous Old Town Square and Astronomical Tower are a 10-minute walk along streets filled with fashionable boutiques, the museums of chocolate, love and torture (in that order), and under Gothic arches, past the opera house and Palladium mall, sidestepping tram tracks and tour groups at all hours. It takes just as long to get to the main train and tram stations in the opposite direction, while Charles Bridge is a brisk 20 minutes away. The city’s main mall, various museums including the Franz Kafka Museum, plus the opera house and shopping and nightlife streets are all within reach. The cobblestoned pathways and gothic architecture lend credence to the “when in Europe, walk” philosophy.

The scene

The plush couches and carpets, 20-foot-long bar and boldly designed lamps and sculptures ensure the 18-month-old hotel lives up to its reputation as a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World group. The lobby bar and outdoor breakfast area are punctuated with chatter in myriad accents, giving the space a buzzy vibe, yet without feeling cramped.

The room

Spacious by European standards and for a family-run boutique hotel – with a massive king bed and a dressing area that runs along the length of a wall. The bathroom is definitely the highlight, contained within a futuristic-looking bubble of soundproof dark glass, with a separate bathtub and shower area, and Natura Bissé and Roja Parfums products.

The service

Brisk and efficient. The language barrier can be slightly problematic, but most of the staff seem happy to answer questions, help with directions and other requests, without excessive chatter, save for the loquacious chef at the egg station and the musically inclined bartender.

The food

Breakfast can be had in a cheery al fresco courtyard, the plush library or the main dining room. The same, rather limited fare is served up for the four days of my stay – cereal, eggs, pancakes and cold cuts – but there is an innovative choice of breads. The toasted onion and tomato varieties are a must-try, while the chicken schnitzel (€14 [Dh56]) and apple strudel (€10 [Dh40]) from the main menu are some of the best I taste during my time in Prague.

Loved

The mod-cons in the bathroom, as well as the outdoor breakfast area, a perfectly positioned nook to enjoy the crisp breeze with just enough sunlight filtering in.

Hated

The limited food options at breakfast.

The verdict

Whether you’re in Prague for the food, shopping or culture, nothing beats the BoHo for location.

The bottom line

A standard double room at Hotel BoHo (www.slh.com/boho/) costs from €251 (Dh1,002) per night, including breakfast and taxes.

This review was done at the invitation of the hotel.

pmunyal@thenational.ae

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