Hotel Savoy by Jenny Pidgeon

The Savoy is one of the few 5-star hotels in Prague, and it is certainly the smallest with only 55 rooms and 6 suites. As such it deems itself a ‘boutique’ hotel (which is questionable) and it has been recognised by Leading Small Hotels of the World as their only entry from the Czech Republic. You can be sure of finding a sophisticated level of service here (in a city not renowned for the friendliness of its hospitality staff) and an atmosphere of serene elegance is carefully maintained.

The location of the Savoy, at the top of a steep hill behind the Castle, is irksome unless you plan to spend all your time at the nearby Loreto & Strahov Monasteries and St. Vitus Cathedral. Going out to the theatre or eating downtown means a trek uphill, a long tram ride or a taxi home at the end of the evening. The façade of the building is an impressive 1882 Art Nouveau original, behind which you will find modern comforts from a 1990s renovation. The large entrance hall has a sparkling inlaid marble floor with smart appointments and a smiling staff. This leads through to a carpeted Lobby Bar featuring tartan seats and copies of the Wall Street Journal. You can even browse through the entire Encyclopaedia Britannica in the library lounge.

After a complimentary welcome drink, you will be lead up to your spacious room. All are luxuriously, if not imaginatively, decorated with Biedermeier furniture and rich fabrics (choose red or yellow rooms over royal blue). Should the patterned carpets and paisley fabrics all prove too much, you can collapse on the comfortable sofa and chairs and enjoy a class of wine from the complimentary minibar. Kingsize beds sport super-plump pillows and the ubiquitous separate duvets. There are fully equipped desks for those here on business, and huge pink marble bathrooms for those here to relax. Dual sinks, heated towel rails, individual shower and bath and separate silken-walled toilets are standard. Ask for a room at the back, as the main road is rather noisy, or splash out on a suite with private terrace overlooking the Castle.

The Savoy is proud of its Hradcany Restaurant, upholstered in the same colours as the guestrooms with Art Nouveau touches. Its main feature, apart from the international cuisine and nightly pianist, is a glass cupola which slides away, along with the windows, to create a ‘garden restaurant’ on summer evenings. There are business rooms for meetings and the restaurant can also be transformed into a conference venue. If all this gets too much, escape down to the basement where you’ll find the Relax Centre with complimentary sauna, steambath, whirlpool and gym (you have to pay extra for massages and facials).