Design & Style Hotel Neruda, Prague, Czech Republic

The Neruda Hotel is beautifully located at the top of Nerudova under the walls of Prague Castle. This is a small boutique hotel which had a lot of press when it first opened, being hailed as the first Mr and Mrs Smith-esque hotel in Prague. It does look like quite a smooth little number, a contemporary makeover of an ancient building.

The facilities

Downstairs, this boutique hotel is very light and pretty, with creamy walls and a large glass atrium, smart lighting, chairs covered in fabric and tied with big bows. Exposed brick walls, dark woods and clean lines are relieved by occasional antique mirror or big gilt clock. The restaurant, Cafe Carolina, is reputed to serve the best hot chocolate in Prague; you can try it on a little outside terrace.

The rooms
After the light and airy character of downstairs, the 20 rooms at Hotel Neruda seem more low-key, with porthole-sized windows and darker, moodier colours. They are spacious enough and the beds are very comfortable.

Room 31 is a double with very modest windows and angled ceilings. A cactus and a quotation from the poet Jan Neruda, painted on the wall, provide light relief. Front-facing rooms have larger windows. The bathrooms are pretty good – most have showers only, though, so be sure to ask for a bathtub if you particularly want one.