on October 7, 2005The hotel is located in the Smichov district, just a bit off of the beaten track from the main tourist trails. It is part of the Vienna International chain of boutique and medium-sized hotels. Nearby is the Novy Smichov Shopping Center, which has a Carrefour.
We first came across the hotel in Expedia.com. Charmed by the photos we saw, we next did our research in TripAdvisor.com. Satisfied with what we read, and hopeful we chose a different path that many of our fellow Americans, we booked our stay.
The only thing that caused us any hesitation were the comments some TripAdvisor.com readers had made about its distance from the Old Town and the other sights. Contrary to what some people said, we found the walk to the Old Town to be in the range of 15-30 minutes depending on how distracted we were by looking at yet another Art Deco detail... If you did not want to walk, the Andel subway station is right next to the hotel.
It is worth nothing that the Smichov district is in the process of being revitalized. That means that a building or two may look a bit shady while the rest of the block is being gossied up. For the tourist who wants to spend their money well, this meant that you got into a top notch hotel at rates substantially less than what you would pay at the Hilton, you ate at very good restaurants at a fraction of what you would pay for inferior food in the Old Town, and you could buy the same trinkets and glassware found in the tourist traps at the prices that the Czechs pay.
As my wife and I spent preciously little time in the hotel - you are in Prague to sightsee afterall! - I can't offer detailed comments about Andel's. I will say that we found the service to be friendly and efficient, the breakfast to be different and outstanding everyday, and the bar to be comfortable in a post-modern kind of way. The pictures that are posted in their website are an accurate depiction of what the hotel really looks like.
We would not hesitate to return and highly recommend this hotel.
on February 13, 2007
