One-Minute Hotel / Almanac X Alcron, Prague
A slick 1930s hotel upgraded so high you might get a nosebleed just off the main drag of Wenceslas Square with a particular Pride package to celebrate. Now that’s what we call news.
So, where are we?
A two-minute walk from the most famous square in all of Prague, Wenceslas Square, named for the Good King Wenceslas of Christmas song and ‘looking out’ fame and a short, picturesque walk from all the Medieval loveliness of the Old Town. Oh and walkable to the park where Pride is held.
And where we’re staying...?
Almanac X Alcron, which is a bit of a mouthful but you understand why. The brand Almanac regular readers will know from their Barcelona offering, which is delicious, though maybe not quite so delicious (don’t make us choose!) as the new Vienna boutique hotel. The Alcron bit is because this is a famous 1930s deco hotel and they didn’t want to flush out that sort of reputation so they stuck the two names together.
What’s the style?
We gave it away in that last bit but it’s basically classic 1930s deco with all the original bits left intact and all the rooms zooped right up to date. The staircase is so grand and wide you could sleep on it, the lobby spacious enough for football if you cleared out some of the plants while even the lifts have see-yourself shiny brass doors giving the whole place a classic look with a contemporary feel.
And the rooms?
Without shocking the deco design of the hotel, the rooms have been given a swish contemporary upgrade that just reeks of amazing taste. Uncluttered and masculine, it’s a story of wood and mirror and parquet flooring and vaguely retro light fittings. They couldn’t have got it more spot-on if they tried.
Is there a story?
Oh for sure. This was always the place to stay when in Prague whether you were Charlie Chaplin or Winston Churchill. The place is just steeped. Steeped we say. Up to and including some high-ranking Nazis during the occupation, and it became the HQ for the evacuation of Prague – including movie star Shirley Temple - when the Russians invaded in 1968… while journalist George Orwell was asleep in his bed upstairs.
And to eat?
The Alcron restaurant has become in one fell swoop THE place to eat in Prague but don’t think that makes it stuffy or pretentious. For breakfast, you can sit out on the mini-terrace or just hover near the buffet for loads of refills while for dinner Head Chef Richard Bielik is bringing back Czech and central European cuisine with great plant-forward options. All this in a room that is sleek and masculine and, when that lighting is down, a very sexy thing. And don’t overlook the bar where the great and the good have quaffed some amazing martinis in an atmosphere that really harks back to the olden golden days with dark wood and snooky corners. And it stays open until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays.
So, to sum up...
We know that anything Almanac puts its hand to is going to be worth checking out but the history of this place, so lovingly retained while the modern comforts that we demanding 21st century travellers demand have been seamlessly slotted in. The location really couldn’t be better while, if you’re going out for their huge Pride celebrations from August 5th to 8th, you can take up the special Pride package which includes two nights, breakfast, a welcome drink, Pride stuff in your room and exclusive tickets for the Prague Pride Welcome Ceremony and concert on 5th August. Happy Prague Pride, everyone!
