After a long 24 hours of travel, we finally arrived in Prague on our SWISS Business Class flight from Zurich. After collecting our bags, it was time to head into the city to get our vacation started!
Booking
We booked the Andaz Prague via American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts. With our AmEx Platinum Card we get a $200 hotel credit each year and I always try and use it early so it doesn’t go to waste. AmEx was also running a promotion where our 3rd night was free and this brought our cash rate out to be just under $300 per night.
Because we booked through American Express, we received a $100 food and beverage credit, free breakfast, and a room upgrade on a space available basis.
Airport Transfer
Prague doesn’t have a train between the airport and city center so, since it was our first visit to the city, we decided to take a hired car to the hotel. The hotel offers an arranged limousine service which I booked the day before our arrival.
Our driver met us at baggage claim and led us outside to our waiting Mercedes S-Class.
Our driver was extremely friendly and we chatted with him all the way into the city. The car was comfortable and had a ton of legroom which all 6’2″ of me appreciated.
30 minutes after leaving the airport, we were pulling up curbside at the hotel.
Location
The Andaz Prague is located on the edge of the Old Town, just a few blocks away from Prague Central Station. If you’re arriving by train it’s a short walk while airport transfers take a bit longer, as outlined above.
The hotel is located in the historic “Sugar Palace” and is a commanding presence along the Senovážné Square.
Check-In
Our driver dropped us off in front of the hotel and the bellman helped carry our bags through the lobby to the check-in desk. We arrived at the hotel around 9:30a and found two helpful employees at the reception desk. At first glance, the hotel was modern and welcoming.
Unsurprisingly, our room wasn’t ready when we arrived though the staff offered to store our bags while we went out to explore the city. We returned to the hotel around 11:30a and we were given our room keys and told our bags would be brought up to our room.
Room
We were assigned Room 328, a corner king room on the third floor. The modern and fun decor was present in the hallway before we even got to the room as plaster animal faces were sticking out from the walls.
Upon entering the room, there was a short hallway with a luggage rack, mirror, and hangers on the left. On the right was a narrow ledge with a small lamp that couldn’t hold much of anything aside from some keys. I did inadvertently set my phone here a couple of times and lose it.
Just past this space was the mini-bar and beverage station. One of the unique aspects of Andaz hotels is the fact that the mini-bar is free of charge.
Bottled water, glasses, and a Nespresso machine are located on the bar top.
In a drawer underneath the bar were coffee mugs, utensils, coffee, tea, and sweeteners. Below that was a mini-fridge stocked with beverages and snacks. The mini-bar was replenished each day during our stay.
Past the mini-bar was the main living and sleeping area. To the left was a large TV in a decorative frame. Beneath it, there was a table with two chairs.
Across from the TV was a king sized bed flanked by two nightstands. Another plaster lion was poking out of the wall above the headboard.
A large set of windows overlooked the city and could be opened to let air in.
The bathroom was located next to the bed and was small but well thought out. A shower and toilet room were on the left while the sink was to the right. Two bathrobes were waiting for us on the back wall.
In the shower, and next to the sink, were reusable toiletries from Moooi.
The toilet area was small and hidden from the rest of the bathroom by a glass door.
Overall the room was well appointed and while it was on the small side, the layout flowed well for us. Since we were on vacation we spent the majority of our time sightseeing but, if you’re someone who wants to unwind in the room, the two small chairs and the bed were the only available seating.
Lobby
The lobby at the Andaz Prague is tucked away at the rear of the hotel. Guests can either cut through the bar or access the lobby via a hallway from the entrance.
Upon entering the lobby, the reception desk is to the right while a large seating area, connected to the bar, is to the left. Since we arrived during breakfast, a selection of pastries was setup in the middle.
There is a wide variety of seating to choose from but I never saw many people using this space during our stay.
Further back, past the reception desk, was another seating area set up opposite the elevators.
Finally, at the rear of the lobby, there was an elevated section, with some impractical seating, that led to the meeting rooms.
Food and Beverage
The two food and beverage options at the hotel are located adjacent to one another and are situated between the entrance and the lobby. MEZ, the hotel bar, is the first thing you notice when entering the hotel. The floor to ceiling bar is the focal point of the space.
In addition to the barstools along the bar, small tables took up the middle of the space with larger booths against the back wall. During the day, a skylight overhead brightens the space while it becomes darker and moodier at night.
Each evening, “Andaz Hour” is held in the bar featuring a selection of curated cocktails between 5-6p.
During our visit the cocktails were designed in partnership with the Czech perfume brand Pigmentarium. Each cocktail was based on one of their scents and guests were brought perfume bottles to choose their cocktail.
Off of the bar was the hotel restaurant, ZEM. ZEM is a Czech bistro and is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The full menu can be found at their website. Since we booked our hotel through American Express’ Fine Hotels and Resorts, we had free breakfast during our stay and ate here each morning. The breakfast menu read as follows.
In addition to the menu items, there was a large buffet with a variety of juices, pastries, meats, cheeses, and breads.
With a selection this large there is something for everyone. It was a great way to fuel up before spending the day sightseeing.
Fitness Center and Spa
The Andaz Prague has a large spa as well as fitness center located in the basement of the building. I didn’t get any spa treatments during our stay but the hotel does offer a large list of services. When stepping off the elevator, both the spa and fitness center are to the right.
Down at the end of the hallway, the fitness center is off to the left while the spa waiting area is to the right.
The fitness center is small for a hotel this size but featured a variety of equipment by TechnoGym. A water station is located on the counter at the rear. During the weekend, this space was mostly empty, though I could see it filling up with business travelers during the week.
Summary
Our stay at the Andaz Prague was absolutely fantastic. From the time we stepped through the door to the time we left the staff made us feel right at home and attended to every need. In addition to the soft product, the rooms were clean, functional, and comfortable and the location near the old town meant we were a short walk from all of the attractions.
This was my first stay at an Andaz property and both Mrs. ATX and I are looking forward to stays at many more. This hotel would be on our short list for lodging the next time we’re in Prague.
In This Trip Report
- Introduction
- Delta B737-800 Comfort+ (AUS-JFK)
- Delta Sky Club Terminal 4 Concourse A (JFK)
- Lufthansa Business Class Lounge Terminal 1 (JFK)
- Lufthansa Senator Lounge Terminal 1 (JFK)
- SWISS A330-300 Business Class (JFK-ZRH)
- SWISS A220-100 Business Class (ZRH-PRG)
- Andaz Prague
- Three Days in Prague
- Erste Premier Lounge Prague (PRG)
- KLM Cityhopper EMB-195 Economy (PRG-AMS)
- KLM Boeing 737-800 Economy (AMS-BGO)
- Widerøe EMB-190 Economy (BGO-TOS)
- Clarion Hotel The Edge Tromsø
- Exploring Tromsø and Chasing the Northern Lights
- Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) A320 Premium Economy (TOS-ARN)
- Sheraton Stockholm
- Exploring Stockholm
- KLM Boeing 737-800 Business Class (ARN-AMS)
- KLM B787-9 Business Class (AMS-AUS)
