Maximilian Hotel

Housed in a cream-colored structure dating to the '20s, the Maximilian has a clean-lined aesthetic in contrast with the city's more Baroque buildings. Inside, white-on-white public spaces continue the fresh look. Aperitif hour is when this hotel is at its most convivial, when guests mingle at the free afternoon receptions held in a chic library lounge with mod hot-pink and electric-purple furniture. A handsome bookcase holds an enticing array of art, books, and board games for the taking. Another gathering point is the breakfast room -- an airy glass-ceiling atrium -- where diners settle in at attractive wood-and-chrome tables lining the walls. A serene spa, with low lighting and sheer fabric tented over loungy seating, is a surprisingly lavish addition at this pearl rating, too.

Guests are mostly leisure travelers and couples looking for a centrally located boutique property with extras that can make a stay feel special. To a lesser degree, business travelers also book the Maximilian for its meeting rooms. 

Maximilian Hotel is in an excellent location in Old Town across the street from Hastal Square and the 14th-century Hastal Church (Church of St. Castulus), considered one of Prague's best examples of Gothic architecture. The hotel is in an area thick with cafes, restaurants, bars, and shops. Old Town Square and other sights are within five to 10 minutes on foot. Public transportation is readily accessible, with bus, tram, and metro stations within walking distance.

• Four-minute walk to Dlouha Trida tram stop
• 10-minute walk to Namesti Republiky metro station
• Six-minute walk to Prague National Gallery
• Seven-minute walk to Old Town Square
• Eight-minute walk to Josefov
• Eight-minute walk to Prague Astronomical Clock
• Nine minutes to Charles Bridge via public transportation
• 11 minutes to Wenceslas Square via public transportation
• 15 minutes to Dancing House via public transportation
• 25 minutes to St. Vitus Cathedral via public transportation
• 16 minutes to Hlavni Nadrazi train station via public transportation
• 29-minute drive to Vaclav Havel Airport 

Maximilian Hotel's guest rooms and suites are spacious with a contemporary aesthetic, though the look falls a bit flat. Walls are mostly bare, and there's not a lot of color apart from the blue bedspreads and small orange side tables. Still, units are quiet, nicely lit with natural light, and well-equipped with flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi and iPod docks on request, safes, large desks, and wardrobes and dressers with ample storage space. One fun feature: Guests can request a small fish bowl with a goldfish to keep them company during their stay. Rooms that are a step up have Nespresso machines, minibars, DVD players, seating areas, and balconies with views of Old Town or Hastal Church. Bathrooms feel antiseptic, with dated tile and stall showers, but they are roomy, stocked with Orla Kiely products, and some have bathrobes and slippers. While there's air-conditioning, some guests have noted that rooms are still too warm. 

This boutique hotel has an impressive list of amenities -- and what's offered here is top-notch. There's no full-service restaurant, but there's an excellent free breakfast spread with cooked-to-order eggs and a range of hot and cold items. Afternoon receptions -- with treats that vary daily, from wine and cheese to coffee and traditional Czech desserts -- are also part of the package. A self-serve honest bar in the lobby is icing on the cake. 

Maximilian Hotel features a small on-site spa with Thai dry acupressure massage, and a wide range of other massages (including Ayurvedic and Balinese oil massage), plus wraps, facials, and reflexology. Hotel guests receive discounted rates. The property lacks an on-site gym, but it's free for guests to use the fitness center at Maximilian's sister hotel, Design Hotel Josef Prague, a two-minute walk away. 

There's also meeting rooms, a business center, and free Wi-Fi throughout, plus concierge services, room service, airport transfer (for a fee), and a 24-hour front desk. Limited street parking is available for a fee, and the hotel is pet-friendly.