Innside by Melia

Rooms

The 90 rooms are spread across 3 wings and spaced well apart – there was only one other room on our floor, so the hotel felt much more intimate than its size would suggest.

In a nutshell, there isn’t a bad room type. While some are bigger than others, they all follow a similar design formula: light grey walls, padded headboards, tall windows with floor-length curtains, desks, free minibars and large wooden cabinets for storage. Some overlook the terrace, others the street, and a handful have a partial view of the castle. Beds have super-comfy mattresses and crisp white linen, although doubles have 2 single duvets, which we found a little peculiar. Bathrooms are lined with black tiles and come with fluffy towels, tonnes of toiletries and, in larger rooms, robes and slippers. Some of the more expensive rooms feature Quim Domene artwork.

We stayed in an Innside Room, the smallest category, but we still had just enough space to relax after a busy day of sightseeing. These rooms can be set up as twins and most have tubs with overhead showers; they're great if you’re on a budget. But it’s worth paying a little extra for a Premium Room if you can, as they have sitting areas with an enticing sofa (which can be made up as an extra bed), plus many have separate baths and walk-in showers. The Lofts have separate lounges with double sofabeds.

For those who really want to splurge, The Prague Condo and The Townhouse are breathtaking. They’re located at the top of the old building and so benefit from high ceilings. They’re a great option for families or friends, as they have 2 bedrooms (a double and a twin, each with an ensuite with a freestanding tub and/or walk-in shower), plus a spacious living/dining area with a single sofabed.

Features include:

• Air conditioning
• Coffee / tea making
• Cots available
• Hairdryer
• Minibar
• Safe box
• Toiletries
• TV
• WiFi

Eating

The ground-floor restaurant and bar, HOME, reminded us of an art-gallery café: low-hanging light installations, mismatched chairs, and walls adorned with prints and mirrors. There’s also an adjoining terrace which is a lovely spot in warmer weather.

The breakfast buffet was a joy to wake up to, and was itself presented like a work of art. Hot plates of potatoes, eggs, mushrooms, bacon, sausages and pancakes were nestled on shelves built into the walls, while a huge variety of breads and pastries were arranged across an island unit. There was also a range of fresh fruits, cereals, yoghurts and juices. The spread varied slightly each day - a welcome touch for those staying for a few nights. Our only slight niggles were the coffee (from a help-yourself machine) and the toaster (which took more than 5 minutes to toast our bread).

Throughout the day and evening there’s a menu of European dishes with an international twist - it’s a developing concept and the choice could be considered as limited, but the food is good. We enjoyed baked goat’s cheese served on a crunchy salad of watercress, green apple and walnuts, followed by entrecote steak with butter sauce and then a berry cheesecake - all excellent. There were also a few delicious-sounding Czech dishes, including roast sirloin and dumplings in a cream sauce. The restaurant was relatively quiet when we visited, but we didn’t feel uncomfortable and would have been happy to linger with a bottle of wine.

There's also a daily changing, 3-course lunch menu available from Monday - Friday, as well an afternoon and evening menu of light meals, such as sandwiches and soups, for those who don't want anything too heavy. Coffee and cakes are available, too.

When it comes to eating out, there’s plenty of choice. The bar across the street, The Beer Museum, serves excellent drinks and tasting platters, and we had very tasty pasta at Ambiente Pasta Fresca, a 10-minute walk away.

Features include:

• Bar
• Restaurant
• Restaurants nearby
• Room service

Activities

• Wander over to Stare Mesto (the Old Town) to climb the Powder Tower, explore the cobbled streets and watch the chiming of the famous Astronomical Clock
  
• Then head to Charles Bridge, the oldest bridge in the city, and marvel at the intricate statues which line its edges
  
• Wind up through the narrow streets to the imposing castle and cathedral, before walking over to Strahov Monastery for a stroll through its fragrant orchards and fascinating libraries
  
• Head to Kampa Island and take a boat trip along the Vltava River (if you want, you can jump off en route and visit the zoo)
  
• Explore Josefov, the old Jewish Quarter - home to synagogues, atmospheric restaurants and one of the world's finest Jewish museums
  
• Walk up Petrín Hill (or jump on the funicular) to gaze at the views, check out the miniature Eiffel Tower at the summit, and get lost in the 19th-century mirror maze
  
• Take in a classical concert at one of the city’s extraordinarily grand churches and concert halls (ask reception for the latest listings), or dive into a bar hosting live jazz, folk music or blues
  
• Walk to Wenceslas Square, Prague’s main thoroughfare, where the Czech patron saint sits astride a horse. It’s home to plenty of shops for those in need of some retail therapy, while the National Museum will interest history and science buffs
  
• If you’re here in summer, take a picnic in one of Prague’s many parks (try Kampa Park for great river views), or sit out in a beer garden with a locally brewed tipple

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Boat trips
• Historical sites
• Museums / galleries
• Nightlife
• Plantlife / flora
• Private guided tours
• Shopping / markets

Kids

Children of all ages are welcome and the relaxed atmosphere is well-suited to families, although there are no special facilities for kids.

Best for:

All ages

Family friendly accommodation:

Baby cots can be added to all rooms. An extra bed can be added to the Large Premium Rooms and there's a double sofabed in The Lofts. If you can stretch to either The Townhouse or The Prague Condo, you’ll get 2 bedrooms (one a twin that’s ideal for kids), plus 2 ensuite bathrooms (a mix of tubs and showers) and a large living/dining area with single sofabeds.

Cots Available, Extra Beds Available, Family Rooms

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

The hotel is located on a quiet sidestreet in central Prague, just outside the Old Town. The city’s major sights are all within walking distance.

By Air:
Prague airport is just 12km away and is served by many international and budget airlines - click on the links below for a list.

From the Airport
The hotel can arrange a transfer (see Rates) - we recommend this option as taxi fares can vary greatly and tourists are frequently overcharged. Alternatively, take an AAA taxi (one of the more reliable operators) or catch bus AE, which runs from outside the terminal building and drops you a 5-minute walk from the hotel.

By Train:
Prague is served by trains from elsewhere in Europe - see Seat 61 for more information. A tram runs from the main station to the hotel; alternatively, it's a 15-minute walk.

By Car:
You won't need a car in Prague, but if you want to hire one to explore the surrounding area, see our car rental recommendations. The hotel has an underground car park with 15 spaces (additional charge), which must be reserved in advance.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.

More on getting to Prague and getting around