SD › Prague Best Hotels › The Emblem Hotel Review
Updated: April 19, 2021
Essentials
• Location: Platnéřská, close to the Old Town Square.
• Hotel website: emblemprague.com
• Hotel phone: +420 226-202-500
• Check prices on Booking.com
Grand and opulent hotel with luxurious and modern rooms, an excellent steak house, superb spa, magnificent lounge, cigar salon, and a games room.
The Emblem Hotel – Slick and modern hotel near the best of old and new Prague.
The rooms here are neutral-toned, modern, and very comfortable, but what really stands out are the common areas. The ground floor steakhouse is considered one of the best places to eat in the city, while the lower level M Lounge has a number of living areas, from a big-screen TV lounge and a games room to a coffee and tea-making area and even a cigar salon. Above the rooms sits a spa with a terrace area overlooking the city, plus a fitness area geared not only to the standard workout but also to yoga and Pilates. Everywhere you go, the design maintains its clean lines and luxurious flair with eye-catching art and fine marble. The location, literally steps away from Old Town Square, has you right next to Prague’s most happening areas.
See Also
The Emblem Hotel – Location
- Address: Platnéřská 19, Prague.
- Nearest Metro/Subway: Staroměstská (0.1 mile).
- Area: Prime location just around the corner from Old Town Square and Astronomical Clock, but on a relatively quiet street, considering how central it is. Several sights, restaurants, bars, and shops fan out from here. It’s also only a 17-minute walk (0.8 mile) to Prague Castle across the river.
- How to Get There: Walking is the easiest means to get around. Metro line 2 from Staroměstská is great for excursions farther afield and links to bus #119 for easy public transport to the airport. It takes about 30 minutes (10 miles) to reach the hotel by cab from Václav Havel Airport Prague and about 8 minutes (2 miles) from Praha Hlavní Nádraží train station.
- Private Transfer: We use and recommend Welcome Pickups car service. Booking through a private car service will cost only a bit more than a taxi – about €30 from Václav Havel Airport Prague – but can be worth it to avoid the long taxi queue and for the convenience of paying ahead.
- Handy to: Astronomical Clock, Prague Jewish Museum, Charles Bridge.
The Emblem Hotel – The Basics
- Ages: The hotel has an edgy, young vibe but all ages stay here.
- View: Out on the beautiful streets of Old Town or the courtyard.
- Parking: In the hotel’s garage for €40 per day.
- Extras: A collection of colorful “happy socks” are in the rooms and you’re free to take them home with you. The downstairs M Lounge offers free coffee, tea, and sometimes wine, and has lots of space to hang out as well as a smoking room.
- When to Book: 1-2 months in advance for dates in May to September and in December around the Christmas holidays. Book even farther ahead if you want a specific room. At other times, 2 weeks ahead should suffice.
- How to Book: Booking.com will have the best rates.
- Phone: +420 226-202-500
- Email: emblem@emblemprague.com
- Website: emblemprague.com
The Emblem Hotel – Amenities
- Pool: No pool.
- Spa: The rooftop M Spa features a steam room, relaxation room, rooftop patio area, and a private jacuzzi (with views of Prague Castle) available by reservation. There’s also a good selection of treatments and massages available.
- Fitness Center: Fantastic, large, and bright fitness area with standard machines as well as Pilates equipment.
- For Disabled Guests: All floors are accessed by elevator and there’s one specifically adapted room.
- For Families: Families will love the M Lounge which includes a games room.
- Other Facilities: The many-room M Lounge is meant to act as a living area for guests and includes quiet spaces to read, meeting rooms, coffee and tea on offer, a games room, and even a fumoir (smoking room) with a self-service bar.
The Emblem Hotel – Food and Drink
- Restaurant: George Prime Steak is located on the hotel’s ground floor, serves lunch (noon-2:30 pm) and dinner (6-10:30 pm), and is considered the best steakhouse in the city. Décor is slick and modern. $$-$$$.
- Lounge/Bar: George Prime Steak has a large bar area and there’s also a bar menu if you just want a light meal. Downstairs, in the M Lounge, there’s free wine in the afternoon and a self-serve bar in the fumoir.
- Breakfast: Complimentary. Served buffet style 7-10 am.
- Room Service: Available from George Prime Steak.
The Emblem Hotel – Rooms
- Room Types: Twinkey • Queen Dom • King Dom • Suite Pretender • Suite • List of all Rooms
- Smoking Rooms: Rooms are smoke-free but guests may smoke in the fumoir in M Lounge.
- Best Room: The Suite Library has a room hidden behind a bookcase wall while the Suite Terrace has a huge balcony with a view. All the suites have large bathrooms with bathtubs. All rooms feature luxurious bedding, Nespresso machines, kettles, laptop-sized safes, marble bathrooms with bathtubs and rain showers, bathrobes, and slippers.
- For Families: There are eight inter-connecting rooms, making them the best choice for families.
The Emblem Hotel – Local Transport
- Walking: You can walk just about anywhere from here – from all of Old Town just outside the front door, to Prague Castle only 17 minutes (0.8 mile) on foot, or even Wenceslas Square 12 minutes (0.6 mile) away.
- Subway and Bus: The Staroměstská Metro station is a 2-minute walk (0.1 mile) from the hotel and serves the useful line 2.
- Taxis, Uber, Lyft: Uber works well in Prague, or ask the hotel to arrange a taxi or private driver for you.
The Emblem Hotel – What’s Nearby?
Recommended Nearby Tours
- Prague Stories by Alena – A special crew leading excellent specialty tours around the city – from Jewish history to shopping. Start location: Hotel pick-up.
- Taste of Prague – Small (up to 10 people) 4-hour tours geared toward teaching about Czech culture via delicious food. Led by a local guide and includes beer and wine too. Start location: Depends on tour.
- Royal Walk Free Tour – Just show up on the hour at the Astronomical Clock for these super popular hour-long walking tours run by tip only. Start location: 0.2 mile.
- Prague Venice – Set off in a Venetian-style gondola from underneath the Charles Bridge for these well-run and fun 45-minute boat tours. Start location: 0.2 mile.
- Wittmann Tours – The most knowledgeable company for Jewish-themed tours, offering 3-hour tours of Josefov. Start location: 0.3 mile.
Best Nearby Restaurants
- U Prince – Touristy but crowd-pleasing and boisterous restaurant right in front of the Astronomical Clock and a view-filled rooftop bar. (0.1 mile).
- Mistral Café – Modern European in a cool, minimalist setting. (0.1 mile).
- Country Life – Vegetarian self-serve restaurant that’s economical and good for families. (0.2 mile).
- V Zátiší – Who would have believed that Czech and Indian food went so well together? (0.3 mile).
- Bellevue – Considered one of the finest restaurants in the city. Elegant modern fare is served with a view of the Charles Bridge. (0.3 mile).
- Field – Michelin-starred with a farm theme and beautiful dishes made from seasonal ingredients. Book in advance to get a table here. (0.4 mile).
- Kantýna – Order tartar or an excellent burger at the butcher stand and a Pilsner Urquell from the bar, sit at the communal table, and meet some locals. (0.7 mile).
- Pohostinec Karlín – Gastro/wine bar with an open kitchen. (0.7 mile).
Best Nearby Cafe
- Kafé Damu – Bright local café of the performing arts school, serving good coffee. Perfect if you need to bring your laptop and get some work done. (0.2 mile).
- Café Kampus – Popular with university students. Adorned with cool local art and sometimes features live music. (0.4 mile).
Best Nearby Bars and Breweries
- Black Angel’s Bar – Very hip and popular speakeasy-style bar at Hotel U Prince. (0.1 mile).
- U Tří růží – 15th-century pub with frothy pints on tap and a lively atmosphere. (0.2 mile).
- U zlatého tygra – Traditional pilsner beer hall in the heart of Old Town. (0.2 mile).
- Absintherie Jilska – Taste the legendary drink in steam punk meets art nouveau surrounds. (0.2 mile).
- Čili Bar – Tiny cocktail bar with Cuban cigars. (0.2 mile).
- One Club – Multi-story bar and club that parties through the night. (0.3 mile).
- Reduta Jazz Club – Notable jazz club which can claim US President and saxophonist Bill Clinton among its past performers. (0.4 mile).
Nearby Shopping & Cool Shops
- Manufaktura – Excellent collection of Czech-made soaps, shampoos, and lotions that make great gifts. (0.2 mile).
- Butik Klára Nademlýnská – Well-known Czech women’s clothing designer making modern pieces with Bohemian flair. (0.2 mile).
- Art Deco Galerie – Well-loved vintage shop specializing in all sorts of gorgeous items from the 1920s and 30s. (0.2 mile).
- Pohadka – Classic, well-made traditional Czech toys. (0.4 mile).
- Moser – Bohemian crystal from a renowned, luxury glassworks house. (0.4 mile).
- Dvorni Vinoteka Wine Shop – Friendly wine shop and tasting room specializing in Czech varieties. (0.4 mile).
Nearby Attractions
- Old Town Square – The center of Prague’s Old Town dates back to the 1300s. It is surrounded by medieval buildings and is often filled with crowds that have come to see the Astronomical Clock. (0.1 mile).
- Astronomical Clock – Crowds gather in front of this 60m-high clock, on the hour from 9 am through 11 pm, to watch small statues of apostles go on parade. It’s hard to see from the square, so buying a ticket to watch from the tower of the chapel is well-worth it. (0.2 mile).
- Church of Our Lady Before Tyn – Imposing, fairytale-like Gothic church that’s an unmissable landmark. The interior is baroque and worth visiting. (0.2 mile).
- Sex Machines Museum – This large collection of sex machines and erotic objects is likely to make you giggle. (0.2 mile).
- Prague Jewish Museum & Old Jewish Cemetery – This is actually a cluster of several sights that you can walk between in the Josefov neighborhood, including the Pinkas Synagogue, Old-New Synagogue, and Old Jewish Cemetery. The Old-New Synagogue is one of the city’s oldest buildings. (0.2 mile).
- Museum of Decorative Arts – The four halls here are filled with sumptuous tapestries, furniture, and more from the 16th through 19th centuries. (0.3 mile).
- Basilica of St James – Huge 14th-century Gothic basilica that got a baroque makeover in the 1800s. Time your visit to the free organ concert after Sunday Mass for a very special experience. (0.3 mile).
- Charles Bridge – Ancient pedestrian bridge filled with statues, buskers, crowds, and beautiful views of Prague. Walk across to get to the old and new centers of the city. (0.3 mile).
- Mucha Museum – Small museum, featuring mostly prints, is well-worth it for the history lesson about this famous artist’s life and work. (0.6 mile).
- Wenceslas Square – The largest and busiest area of the city, full of big-name stores, busy restaurants, and lots of activity year-round. (0.6 mile).
Nearby Market or Grocery Store
- Havelské Tržiště – Find fruits and veggies as well as souvenirs from this street market that dates back to the 13th century. (0.3 mile).
The Emblem Hotel – The Hotel
The entrance of the hotel is grand, without being flashy, and blends into the neighborhood well.
The modern entrance lounge with its spectacular marble is a good indication of the style of the rest of the hotel.
You can sit at the bar for a drink or a light meal throughout the afternoon and night.
George Prime Steak is considered one of the best steakhouses in Prague and has a very elegant dining area to boot.
The fitness center here is uniquely spa-like and has plenty of yoga and Pilates machines and props.
Hanging out on the terrace at the M Spa is a treat when the weather is warm.
Massage rooms are set up for hot stone massages.
Rooms themselves are modern, relaxing, and comfortable, without a lot of frills yet with everything you need.
Bathrooms are plush and decked out in beautiful marble.
Rooms have basic china and glasses for coffee, tea, or wine.
Pick out a pair of happy socks to keep – and yes, the colors will make you happy.
Even the hallways connecting the rooms have an air of streamlined elegance about them.
Modern art-inspired headboards add a stylish touch to the rooms.
All rooms have flat screen TVs.
A view onto the streets from one of the rooms.
Tea and coffee are on offer all day and wine and drinks are available in the evenings in the multi-room M Lounge.
There’s also a large TV area which is especially good for big sports games, down in the M Lounge.
If you’re a smoker, you’ll be happy to have this lovely room to smoke in – if you’re not a smoker, you’ll be happy to know that the smoke stays in this room.
Meet near the Astronomical clock to go on free walking tours of the area every hour on the hour through the day.
Join Wittmann Tours to get the most out of a visit to Prague’s old Jewish quarter, Jospefov.
Country Life is great for a quick and healthy vegetarian meal.
Even if you do not want to buy trinkets or fresh produce, walking through the old Havelske Frziste market is a lovely experience.
It’s a quick walk to the trendy Pohostinec Monarch gastro bar to enjoy its impressive wine list.
If you blush easily, the Sex Machines Museum will probably have your cheeks matching the color of its walls, but if it lingers, it’s a quick dash back to the hotel nearby.
Prague’s nightlife is legendary and One Club has several floors that fill with revelers, especially on weekends.
You might have missed Bill Clinton on sax, but plenty of other (better?) acts play at the hopping Reduta Jazz Club.
The trendy Kafka Snob Food café is a great spot to grab a meal if you’ve been touring the Jewish neighborhood.
The owner of Dvorni Vinoteka will make you feel right at home and even help you pick out a great wine at his shop.
The Czech-made soaps and lotions at Manufaktura make great gifts and if you buy a big bag full, you’ll only have to lug it a few minutes back to your room.
The Old Jewish Cemetery is one of the most ambient of parts of the Jewish area.
The Mucha Museum is a fun tour through the life of the famous Czech painter and is well-worth the walk.
Sitting with a drink or meal at the U Prince is a great way to bide the time if you’re waiting for the Astronomical Clock to strike on the hour or just want to chill in Old Town Square – it’s literally a hop, skip, and jump from the hotel.
Try the notorious beverage in this very cool and photogenic Absintherie.
Watching the parade of mini apostles at the Astronomical Clock is less crowded and arguably cooler late at night.
The glass pieces at Moser are worth checking out even if you’re not buying plus the shop is a beautiful walk through Old Town.
Old Town is very touristy so get out of the zone by walking to Kantyna, a gem of a place serving some of the best local style meat dishes in town, straight from the butcher.
Walking across the Charles Bridge is a true pleasure and you’ll probably end up doing it again and again to visit the other side of the river.
Not like Prague needs any gimmicks to make it more beautiful, but going motor-free and Venetian style for a river tour is extraordinary – plus it’s a scenic walk to get to the launch site.
All Prague Hotel Reviews
Read More
- Best Hotels in Prague
- Best Hotels for Families in Prague
- Best Boutique Hotels in Prague
- Best Budget Hotels in Prague
- Where to Stay in Prague
- Best Time to Visit Prague
Get All New Content
• My Travel Newsletter