Jungmann

This slender, six-story hotel and the irregularly-shaped square it sits on were both named for esteemed Czech poet Josef Jungmann, whose statue graces the latter. The historic commercial buildings ringing the square -- an interesting architectural melange of shops, eateries, and other tourist-friendly services -- bring a definite buzz to the surrounding area. And some of that bustle extends into the hotel itself because the lobby doubles as a café/bar, which is open to the general public. Nevertheless, the guests who book in here (mostly vacationing couples) can escape Prague’s tourist hordes by retreating to Jungmann’s roof, where a tiny terrace with rattan seating overlooks the action. The grotto-like basement breakfast room provides an alternate place for them to congregate each morning. However, the majority of guests here are couples on sightseeing getaways who spend most of their time out exploring and simply use the Jungmann as a convenient home base.

Positioned near the bottom of Wenceslas Square, Jungmann is pretty much right on the line separating Prague’s historic core from the comparatively new Nové Město, aka New Town. ("Comparatively" because this New Town was founded in the 1300s.) As a result, many top attractions are within a 15-minute walk -- including the Old Town Square with its famous Astronomical Clock, the haunting Josefov (or traditional Jewish Quarter) where you’ll find a topsy-turvy cemetery and synagogues that have morphed into museums, plus the iconic Charles Bridge. Crossing the last of these and making the steep hike up to Prague’s 9th-century castle will take about half an hour on foot; however, you can save 10 minutes (and lots of energy) by taking a tram instead. Using the city’s efficient public transit system, you can also reach the airport in 40 minutes; car transfers, which can be arranged directly through the hotel, get you there in almost the same amount of time.

• One-minute walk to the Mustek Subway Station 
• Two-minute walk to Wenceslas Square
• Six-minute walk to the Mucha Museum
• Seven minute-walk to the Astronomical Clock 
• Nine-minute walk to Municipal House
• 10-minute walk to the National Museum or National Theatre
• 12-minute walk to the State Opera House
• 13-minute walk to the Pinkasova Synagogue and Old Jewish Cemetery
• 14-minute walk to the Charles Bridge
• 15-minute walk to Prague Hlavni Nadrazi Train Station 
• 19 minutes by public transit to Prague Castle and St. Vitus Cathedral 
• 41 minute by public transit to Vaclav Havel Airport 

Refurbished in 2012, the hotel’s dozen double-bedded rooms all share a common contemporary decor, with white walls and bed linens warmed up by blond wood furnishings and parquet flooring. Silvery metallic accents add a bit of bling to the otherwise light, airy look, while cleverly-designed storage spaces (typically hidden behind oversized headboards) lend another level of comfort. All rooms also come outfitted with air-conditioning, minibars, LCD satellite TVs, laptop safes and free Wi-Fi. They do, however, differ somewhat in terms of size and layout. Those on the first five floors measure about 215 square feet and feature open-plan bathrooms (picture glass-walled rainfall showers in the sleeping area with a curtain that can be pulled for privacy). The smaller options in the attic, conversely, have standard bathroom configurations but are tucked under sloping eaves (a minus for tall guests). Another caveat is that some problems with street noise have been reported in the hotel as a whole, which may be an issue for light sleepers, particularly on weekends. 

Guests looking for a fitness room or business center will be disappointed here: due to the hotel’s small size, it contains neither. Jungmann, however, does have an appealing cafe/bar on the ground floor which also serves as the lobby. A vintage-style zinc counter, handsome wood display cases, and baskets of baked goods give this space a charming look that straddles the line between hip and historic. (A smattering of sidewalk tables offers the option of outdoor seating, too, with a propane heater to keep diners cozy on cooler days.) The breakfast room in the basement, where a free hot-and-cold buffet is laid out each morning beneath a centuries-old vaulted ceiling, is equally inviting. Other features include a furnished rooftop terrace with sweeping views over the City of a Hundred Spires, and a reception desk with multilingual staff and concierge capabilities. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.