The Golden Star (Zlata Hvezda) by Angela Moore

The Golden Star is in an excellent position right at the top of Nerudova, under the walls of Prague Castle. From the rooms at the front of the house, you can see all the way down past the romantic jostle of buildings of the Royal Route and out over the Old Town.

This hotel is the sister of the Red Lion down the road and is similarly priced. However, it feels more like a conventional hotel and less like a residence and has touches of quiet elegance which the cheap 'n' cheerful Red Lion lacks. The building is also prettier, with its aristocratic baroque façade. It’s a good budget option.

Downstairs, the hotel has a restaurant with an outside terrace which is very popular during the day. Rooms are reached via a lift or via an amazing staircase, 270 years old, which spirals upwards more and more steeply around a central tower and under an atrium.

The rooms
Rooms are in the same sort of style as the Red Lion – creamy white walls, lovely parquet floors. They all vary in size and character. Room 13 is a suite with a sleigh bed, crystal chandeliers and front-of-house views. Room 35, a double room also at the front of the house, has an ancient stone doorway, smart cane chairs and a huge bathroom. Best views of all are in the attic rooms – charmingly vaulted and beamed, with wrought iron bedsteads, these are a good choice for a romantic weekend on a budget.