Albion Hotel Prague

A week at the Albion Hotel, July 2008Guest Rating: 3.2

To sum up, for the price, I was pleasantly surprised by the hotel - I had read some pretty average reviews. The main issue is the location, but then you are not paying so much for the place. You just need to get a 1day bus/train/tram pass(100kr)/3day(300kr)/5day(500kr) or take a passport photo/id to the metro at Andel and get a month pass for 550kr and start using the transport network, but honestly this is also the best way to see Prague itself - get on tram 22 and it takes you past some great sightseeing areas. More specifically, the hotel was clean, reasonably modern inside(we stayed in C wing). It is more like an office block on first appearances, with a curious 4 star sign outside (ha!), and the marble lobby, fountains, staircase, seem to confirm this, though I wouldn't say it really reached 4 stars. It is quite a large hotel (270 rooms?)and the fact that it wasn't fully booked meant it was reasonably peaceful. There was an issue re the thin walls in our room, we could hear everything happening in the next room - this wasn't a major problem but I can imagine that if the next room's guests are loud late at night, you will be joining in the fun, bathroom especially. The staff were a bit remote but I found this to be a Czech thing - this is not Tokyo or Brisbane, you are going to find a seriously gruff culture - when you try to negotiate train station, musueum staff you will REALLY understand! However, when we did have a hotel query, or called down from the room, they tried to reply promptly. A main issue is that because the hotel wasn't central, we got a 100 kr day ticket which covers a very efficient and regular bus/tram network, the hotel is a 5 minute bus ride to Andel- bus stop a 2 min walk outside (turn right), bus 137 comes every five minutes then you can get a metro line B to Muzuk (central Prague) or another tram(recommended)into Prague centre itself. Don't worry, its not as complicated as it sounds, and the services is VERY regular.

clean, reasonably modern, peaceful, not a bad price, comfortable room, bathroom nice, big smorgasboard breakfast if you like

not central to the city (7km?), security issues, no tea/coffee making facilities, no fridge, TV in German/Czech, no safe

• Sightseeing/Attractions Tip : Walk the length of the park on the ridge overlooking the river. It meanders along and is lovely, ending up in the King's Gardens. Get a bus/tram pass, hop on a tram when your feet are tired and let it take you wherever, get lost in Prague, then come back. DO NOT take the rudeness from train station/ museum staff, etc personally, or it will ruin your stay - in a word, brace yourself.

Excellent hotelGuest Rating: 4.8

I recommend this hotel to everyone. The breakfast was very rich.