Alchymist Residence Nosticova, Prague, Czech Republic

Alchymist Residence Nosticova is a wonderful boutique hotel: romantic and full of character, much-booked by big Hollywood names filming here. It is tucked away a few minutes’ walk from the Mala Strana side of Charles Bridge. The area breathes discretion - surrounded by embassies, near a leafy park leading down to the river.

The facilities

The building dates back to the 17th-century, as the ancient stone staircase will testify. This winds upward through the house, punctuated by charming little antiques and oddities – here an old suit of armour, there a kitsch ceramic figure of Christ. Walls are painted in umbers and pistachios and decorated with delicate murals of laurels and grape vines. There is also a lift, which will take you up to all rooms except for the Hradcany Suite at the top of the house.

As this boutique hotel is a residence, there’s not a lot of public space, just one small drawing room to the left of the reception. There is, though, a restaurant and bar attached to the boutque hotel: the fabulous, fantastical Alchymist.

In contrast to the elegance of the rest of the Residence Nosticova, this is a fantasia of red velvet, painted vaulted ceilings, gilded baroque chairs and zebra stripes. There are tables inlaid with dragons or heavy with black marble, busts of coy vestal virgins and overly knowing cherubs, a room mosaic-ed in mirrored tiles – it’s outrageously, hilariously fun for a decadent dinner in Prague.

Despite its size, this boutique hotel offers a full range of services, from babysitting to free WiFi internet. The staff are useful, charming and very good-looking and service is smiling and prompt.

The rooms

The 16 bedrooms at this boutique hotel are divided into five standard suites, two Royal suites, two Imperial suites and a Penthouse. Each room is different and each has its own charms. Of the standard suites, a favourite might be Arcimboldo, which has a canopied four-poster bed under a beautiful vaulted ceiling.

Another choice suite is Smetana, with a beamed ceiling and its own cloakroom. All suites, though, have lots of space, their own kitchenettes and high-tech entertainment systems (flat screen TVs, DVDs, CDs). Décor is of the same high standard throughout. Flowers are always fresh and art is original.

The Hradcany Suite at the top of the boutique hotel is suitably named for the noble area around Prague Castle. It’s under the high eaves, with solid beams running through the slanted ceilings and cutting through the rooms. Even this high in the house, the rooms are airy and generously proportioned.

The dining room in this suite comes complete with a baby grand piano. Rugs are piled on rugs over the beautiful polished parquet floors. The bedroom is lit by skylights and little brass-and-crystal lamps; the pretty linen is delicately embroidered. The bathroom is enormous and clunkingly old-fashioned, with a shower over a shell-shaped bath.