Aria Hotel Prague

Mala Strana, Prague, Czech Republic
Book from GBP Book from £197 per night

Aria Hotel Prague

Mala Strana, Prague, Czech Republic

High-class haven for the musically-minded, hidden in the heart of Prague

High-class haven for the musically-minded, hidden in the heart of Prague

The original owner of Aria brought his stateside savvy and love for his hometown to bear on this former theatre. His mission: to create the most distinctive hotel in the city. The result is a treat for all the senses. Feast your ears on archive performances, state-of-the art technology and the show-stopping Bösendorfer grand in the Winter Garden. Rest your eyes on the elaborate entrance mosaic, feel the warmth from the heated Chilean granite floors and inhale the aroma of the fire in the intimate Fireplace Lounge. As for your taste buds, Coda, the hotel’s restaurant, will keep them royally entertained.

In keeping with its stunning Renaissance surroundings, Hotel Aria is a sensual tour de force. Whether sipping cocktails in the Vrtba Garden, wallowing in a massage and sauna, or simply revelling in the unique design of your room, this is harmony so pure that you'll want several encores.

Highs

  • Every room is a unique musical experience, with astounding attention to detail
  • Views to die for over carefully tended Vrtba gardens (from some rooms)
  • Staff who cannot do too much to help, happy to share their musical nous
  • Cutting-edge technology: plasma screen, top-notch audio-visual facilities, iPad's and Apple TV's

Lows

  • The richness of the food matches the clientele – you may wish to slum it gastronomically every now and then to give your purse strings and waist band a break
  • Room service can be rather pricey, even for the capital
  • There is sometimes a run on reception staff, as a result of their eagerness to ensure you want for nothing

Best time to go

Prague’s musical tradition means that there is always something interesting going on. Avoid May and September if you have a problem jostling with the tourist crowds. June can be a good time to visit: the crowds are sparse and the temperatures are starting to rise. Under a sprinkling of snow, Prague can be a magical place to visit, so don't rule out wintertime. Again though, Christmas time and New Year can be over-busy, so be sure to visit in January or February.

Our top tips

Prague is perfect for a city break of 3-4 days. Staying at Hotel Aria, many key sights can be reached on foot, leaving time to spare for some serious gourmandise. You can always pop back if you missed out on something….

Great for...

City Style
Foodie
Romantic
  • Luxury Hotel
  • 51 rooms
  • Restaurant + bar
  • All ages welcome
  • Open all year
  • Pool
  • Spa Treatments
  • Beach Nearby
  • Pet Friendly
  • Disabled Access
  • Car not necessary
  • Parking
  • Restaurants Nearby
  • WiFi
  • Air Conditioning
  • Guest Lounge
  • Terrace
  • Garden
  • Gym
  • Concierge Service
Room:

Rooms

Hotel Aria is not only for classical music lovers. There are four floors, each one dedicated to opera, classical, jazz or contemporary genres in turn. Each of the 51 rooms pays homage to a particular star – from Brahms and Bernstein to Dvorak and Dizzy Gillespie via Johnny Cash and Joni Mitchell. One thing they have in common, however, is carefully curated design that exudes extravagance.

Deluxe Rooms have views of either St. Nicholas Church or the Winter Garden Atrium. Junior Suites are larger, with either a king- or queensize bed, or 2 double beds. They too have views of either the St. Nicholas Church or the Winter Garden Atrium.

Of the Luxury Suites, the Elvis rock & roll luxury has a bed to fit The King, plus a sofabed in the adjoining living room. You can also rustle up those jam and peanut butter sandwiches in the kitchenette (with microwave and Illy coffeemaker). The Dvorak has a view of Vrtba Garden, as well as a kingsize bed, sofabed and kitchenette. Smetana is great for business travellers, given the large desk, kitchenette and living room (large enough for informal meetings). At 1,200 square feet, the mezzanine-style Blues luxury suite is the largest by some way. It’s accessed via a long staircase, so steer clear if you’ll find this a challenge.

There are also two Luxury 2-Bedroom Suites. Beethoven has one kingsize bedroom and one twin. It overlooks the Vrtba Garden, with 2 bathrooms and a kitchenette (microwave and Illy coffeemaker). Mozart is similar to Beethoven - not musically of course - but a little larger.

Dull weather needn't mean a dull afternoon: explore the efforts to bring your room’s composer alive. Admire the artwork or browse a biography about the artiste courtesy of the tailor-made digital database on your iPad (all rooms also have plasma TV and Apple TV's). Once you’ve set the scene with some background music, freshen up with the Molton Brown toiletries in the “rainforest” naturalistic shower before slipping on a Frette bathrobe. Rest assured your neighbours won’t even hear your oohs and aahs – all rooms are sound-proofed and double-glazed.

Features include:

  • Bathrobes
  • Hairdryer
  • In-room treatments available
  • Minibar
  • Safe box
  • WiFi

Eating

A satisfying buffet breakfast (included in room price) is served in the hotel’s winter garden. If you need more to drink than fresh vitamin juice, plump for the “Posh Breakfast”: champagne, caviar, scrambled eggs with smoked salmon, and strawberries.

In summer light lunches are served on the roof terrace, but if music be the food of love, play the Coda! Under the expert eye of Prague's premier chef David Sasek, dinner in the crisp, light-filled dining-room is something else. It’s no wonder Coda is rapidly working its way into the address books of Prague’s glitterati. It's not a cheap evening out, but now is the time to splurge.

Open with caramelised fig in 15 year-old balsamic vinegar, or seared scallops wrapped in Serrano. Follow with baked breast of guinea fowl, or seared venison with sweet potato. If your palette is in danger of being spoilt forever, take a break from Coda at the city's vast variety of dining establishments.

Features include:

  • Bar
  • Restaurant
  • Restaurants nearby
  • Room service
Eating:
Activity:

Activities

  • Watch twilight turn to evening from a chaise longue in the Winter Garden

  • Stroll in the Vrtba Garden which has a direct entrance for Aria guests in the summer

  • Burn off any untapped energy in the fitness club, then reward yourself with a sauna and massage

  • Expand your musical horizons via the music library, and consult Dr Ivana Stehlikova (PhD in musicology) for hot tickets to live music events

  • Put your new-found knowledge to good use by catching a concert in the Baroque surroundings of St Nicholas' Church, and admire Johann Kracker's 1770 Life of St Nicholas, the largest fresco in Europe while you’re there

  • Peruse the complex of Prague Castle, possibly the oldest castle in the world. The Chapel of the famous St Wenceslas is on everyone’s 'To Do' list, but don’t miss the Toy Museum and its ancient Greek playthings. Mull over the marvels afterwards in the delightful Royal Garden

  • Pay your respects at Loreta, a 17th century pilgrimage site which houses the Prague Sun – a solid gold and silver star encrusted with 6,222 diamonds

  • Explore the oldest working synagogue in the world (established 1270) in Josefov, the Old Jewish Quarter. Remember: men need to cover their heads (hats are sold at the entrance) and women observe services from an antechamber

  • Hike 318 metres up Petrin Hill for a breathtaking view of the "City of 100 Spires". If this takes a little too much breath, hop on the funicular back down again

  • Wander over the 600 year-old Charles Bridge by night, and reflect on the statues along the banks of the Vltava which chart the city's history

Activities on site or nearby include:

  • Historical sites
  • Museums / galleries
  • Nightlife

Kids

Children are very welcome (some suites are designed specifically for parents travelling with children) though younger ones might not appreciate the musical activities.

One child can share a room with 2 adults free of charge, including breakfast. Baby cots can be provided.

Best for:

Teens (over 12)

Family friendly accommodation:

Cots Available, Extra Beds Available

Babysitting:

Babysitting available by arrangement

Kid Friendly:

Location

The hotel is in the centre of Prague, 30 minutes from Ruzyne airport.

By Air
Ruzyne (10km). Click on the links below for a list of airlines.

From the Airport
The hotel provides airport transfer so you are whisked away in style.

More on getting to Prague and getting around

Airports:

  • Prague Ruzyne 10.0 km PRG

Other:

  • Beach 735.0 km
  • Shops 0.1 km
  • Restaurant 0.1 km

Rates for Aria Hotel Prague

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