The Waldstein was an excellent base for our three nights’ stay in Prague.
It is a very old, though modernised, building, its origins traceable back to the 10th century, and is in a cobbled courtyard alongside the Waldstein Palace.
As such, all the major attractions are accessed on foot within minutes – around the corner are St Nicholas Church and the Charles Bridge, the Old Square beyond, whilst up the hill is the impressive complex of buildings in and around the castle.
The hotel entrance is quite modest with a small lobby and reception. It was a little disconcerting to be dropped off at a locked door at 22.00, but our knock and bell were responded to in about a minute.
Reception staff during the day were found to be polite and efficient, speaking good English, and our only call for help, a jammed safe, was responded to almost immediately with a member of staff soon at the door with a set of master keys. We were given the room until 6pm on our departure day for the equivalent of 20 euros
We had paid a few pounds extra for a deluxe suite, but were hardly prepared for what we got - two bathrooms, two bedrooms, dining area, small lounge, and two plasma screen TVs (although the only English language channel apart from Eurosport was the Moscow based RT station which was obsessed with Syria and Iran and possible US intervention!) As it was too late to venture out, it was also a nice gesture to have been greeted by a bottle of wine in the table.
The rooms with their wooden beamed vaulted ceilings were traditionally furnished, clean, and in an excellent state of decoration.
They were also very warm (so welcome on days when the outside temp didn’t rise above freezing – minus11 max one day!) The bathrooms had an instant supply of piping hot water.
I did have a slight reservation about fire routines. All accommodation was accessed via an outside wooden/steel stairway, the only way out!
Breakfast was in a quaint, ancient stone walled and vaulted cellar. The range of food available covered all tastes and requirements, including a hot buffet of sausages, scrambled egg and beans or veg. Everything was fresh and nicely presented.
Prague itself has a delightful and compact historic city centre. From the Waldstein to the top end of Wenceslas Square and via the Old Town Square (Tyn Church closed for two weeks for “climatic” reasons!) could be completed in about a 45 minutes’ walk.
Wenceslas was a bit underwhelming we thought, apart from the knowledge of its place in 20th century history, though our feelings were not helped by having got to the far end only to find the National Museum, now in a temporary building alongside the original, closed “for technical reasons”!
Prices for meals are naturally higher in and around the Old Square, but they are plentiful and reasonable on the hill up to the castle.
We booked through Easyjet (less than two hours from Bristol and both landing ahead of schedule) and were quite pleased with the overall experience although Prague airport’s handling of the airline’s Speedy Boarding passengers left much to be desired!
The city is very uncrowded at this time of the year – but be prepared to wrap up!
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