On a cold and blustery day in early April (in what was supposed to be spring), my partner, Jill, and I arrived in Prague after a scenic and rather interesting (whole other story), seven-hour train ride from Budapest. From our very first moments after stepping from the train, until we departed from the airport, our time in Prague was spectacular.
Our smiling chauffer met us at the train station with our name written on his board. Quickly and efficiently, Mike (the owner of Mike’s Chauffer Service), showed us to his van and whisked us through the busy city traffic towards our hotel. Within twenty minutes of leaving the train, we entered the lobby of the hotel that would be our home-away-from-home for the next three nights. We had booked our transfer online the previous day at a price of CZK380 (US$24).
The Hotel Maximilian proved to be a perfect choice for our stay in this exciting city. Designed by Czech-born architect Eva Jiricna, the Hotel Maximilian is ideally located on a quiet street within a few minutes walk of Old Town Square and within five minutes you can be at all the major sights—Astronomical Clock, Wenceslas Square, Charles Bridge, Powder Tower, opera and concert halls. The stylish, four-star boutique hotel of seventy rooms and one suite provides plenty of amenities to ensure a wonderful stay: down bed duvets, soundproofed rooms, blackout drapes, rainfall showerheads, free high-speed internet, satellite-TV, DVD player, umbrella, coffee maker, mini-bar, bathrobes, slippers, in-room safe, air-conditioning and quality healthcare amenities in the bathroom.
Taking time to break from exploring the city, we found the Maximilian’s library to be a well-stocked and lovely room in which to enjoy some quiet moments after a long day of pounding the pavements of Prague. We also took time to enjoy the honesty bar in the drawing room, where we parked ourselves one afternoon next to the fireplace with complimentary coffee and pastries. A great start to our Prague mornings was the sumptuous breakfast buffet. This must-not-miss event, included in the room rate, taken in the sleek and sexy breakfast room is available daily from 6:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., and extended until 12:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Hotel Maximilian also boasts The Floating Centre in the Zen City Spa—the only one of its kind in the Czech Republic—where we experienced the Bali massage and floatarium. The spa is open to hotel guests as well as the public. Excellent location, professional service and courteous staff, with room rates starting at Euro 143.00 (US$225), are some of the reasons why Hotel Maximilian is where we will call home on future trips to Prague.
