Originally a medieval blacksmith's, the hotel stands in a row of handsome Baroque houses on the main drag up to Prague Castle. Crisp, modern rooms are scattered higgledy-piggledy about the building, and yet there's something artful about the layout; little stairways link different levels, while medieval nooks and crannies are transformed into bijou exhibition spaces for modern sculpture. Period features, such as decorated beams, Baroque stucco ceilings and a medieval well are set against modern design statements in glass: a new central atrium, glass-walled lifts and a tiny glass-floored balcony.
Prague Castle looms above a small walled garden to the rear. If the flag flies at full mast, you may even catch a glimpse of the Czech President himself, whose quarters overlook the hotel.
Highs
- With only 17 rooms, the service here is excellent and personalised
- The hotel combines the tone of a friendly guesthouse with the comforts of a top-end hotel (well, most of them)
- One of the main perks has to be the hotel's position right at the foot of Prague Castle, though unusual features such as the tiny walled garden and the little glass-floored balcony add to the charm
Lows
- Food options are limited to the snacks served at Arcadia café
- No evening bar, but there are plenty of places for drinks nearby
- No designated parking area, though you won't really need a car in Prague
Best time to go
Our top tips
- Boutique Hotel
- 17 rooms
- Breakfast (+ walk to off-site restaurants)
- 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
Rooms
Planning restrictions imposed by Prague's Heritage Department have insured that none of the 17 rooms are exactly alike, each built into existing spaces, some of which date back to medieval times.
Despite the age of the building, there's nothing musty about the rooms, which are light, airy and modern-feeling, with blond-wood floors, neutral colour schemes, fresh lilies, Italian-designed lighting and custom-made maple furniture. Bathrooms are crisp and smart in chess-board black and white. Walls are sparingly decorated with sepia photos of Prague. For only a few extra euros than a Double Room, the Superior Double Rooms provide great value for money, with special features such as over-size bathrooms, small balconies, original painted beams or Baroque stuccoed ceilings. The spacious Junior Suite has a pleasant little terrace with views up to the castle, while the Suite is split-level, with the bedroom in the old attic space.
All rooms have air conditioning, WiFi, satellite TV, safes, mini-bars and tea/coffee-making facilities.
Features include:
- Minibar
- Safe box
- WiFi
Eating
Food is served in the attached Cafe-Bar Arcadia between 7am and 7pm. The cafe serves Illy coffee, sandwiches, salads, Italian flatbreads and a wide range of alcoholic drinks, from absinthe to 'grog' to vodka. There's an open fire in winter. A buffet breakfast for guests is served here too, with a generous spread of pastries, cold meats and cheese, cereals, fruit and juices.
The Mala Strana district is full of restaurants, with a string of them along Nerudova itself. We can recommend the Mediterranean and fusion cuisine at Square, a few minutes down the hill on Malostranske Square. Or, for arguably the best food in Prague, head down to Kampa Park on the riverfront.
Features include:
- Bar
- Breakfast
- Lunch by arrangement
- Restaurants nearby
Activities
- Towering above the hotel is Prague Castle, the city's number one tourist attraction and the largest castle in the world
- Forested Petrin Hill is close by too. If you haven't the energy to climb the hill yourself, there's a funicular railway to take you to the summit. There are wonderful views across the whole of Prague from various lookout points. And don't miss the Strahov Monastery, which turns out some potent ales for general consumption
- Five minutes' walk downhill from the hotel is the elegant Charles Bridge, with its line of beautiful carved statues and trinket stalls. Rowing boats and pedalos can be hired from Zofin, one of three small islands which sit downstream of Charles Bridge
- The narrow cobbled lanes of Prague's Staré Mesto (Old Town) are ten minutes away by foot. Highlights include the Old Town Square, with its Astronomical Clock and impressive ensemble of medieval buildings
- Just to the north of the Old Town Square is Josefov, the old Jewish Quarter, today home to a clutch of restaurants and one of the world's finest Jewish Museums
- To the south of the Old Town are the markets and shopping precincts of the Nové Mesto ('New Town', though it's hardly new). Here you'll find plenty of bars, traditional 'beer halls' and restaurants. Plus there's the riverside National Theatre (which stages opera, mainly) and the National Museum
- Prague is a city of music, with people handing out flyers for classical concerts on every street corner. A hundred yards down the road is St Nicholas Church, a prime venue for concerts
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Historical sites
- Museums / galleries
- Nightlife
- Shopping / markets
Kids
The hotel will provide cots and can arrange baby-sitting if required. Children up to 4 years old stay free of charge. Extra beds can be provided at a supplement cost for older children.
Best for:
Teens (over 12)
Family friendly accommodation:
Cots Available, Extra Beds Available
Babysitting:
Babysitting available by arrangement
Baby equipment:
Baby cots available on request
Remember baby and child equipment may be limited or need pre-booking
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
The Golden Wheel lies beneath castle walls, in the well-known and picturesque spot of the Lesser Quarter, Central Prague.
By Air
Ruzyne International (20km). Click on the links below for a list of airlines.
From the Airport
The airport is 30 minutes from the town centre by taxi. You may prefer to use the airport mini-bus service which costs less and will drop you at your hotel, though you'll have to wait till the minibus is full before it sets off (see Rates).
By Car
See our car rental recommendations.
More on getting to Prague and getting around
Airports:
- Prague Ruzyne 20.0 km PRG
Other:
- Beach 0.0 km
- Shops 0.1 km
- Restaurant 0.5 km