A charming city of 1.2-million people, Prague (located near the center of the Czech Republic) is the jewel in the crown of Europe’s most elegant cities.  The walking tours, dining experiences, the things it offers to see and do (shopping and short sojourns that can be enjoyed just outside this small, compact metropolis) makes Prague one of the most desirable destinations among international travelers.  Referred to as the Golden City, the perfect base camp from which to organize and execute the delightful experiences folks come here to enjoy is the Mandarin Oriental, Prague.  A tranquil and exceptionally comfortable luxurious boutique lodging, this hotel occupies what was once a monastery in the Mala Strana District.  Equally important, the Mandarin Oriental, Prague is central to everything the city has to offer.

Much like the hub of a wheel where the spokes lead out in every direction, from the Mandarin Oriental, Prague a number of museums can be enjoyed including the National Gallery, the Museum of W.A. Mozart and the Czech Museum of Music.  A twenty minute walk from the Mandarin gets you quickly to the Prague Castle with its huge historical complex that showcases a multitude of different styles and types of architecture that date back over the  past one thousand years.  Old Town Square (the tourist hub of the Golden City) is fifteen minutes by foot as is the Astronomical Clock (built circa 1410) that shows the revolutions of the sun, stars and the moon.  A seven minutes walk from the Mandarin and you arrive at the Charles Bridge so named after King Charles IV of Bohemia who built it as a venue where knights could hold their tournaments. Today this bridge is where artists (from folk to fine art) come to congregate, show and sell their work.  The Charles Bridge also provides the link between Old Town and Mala Strana.  

When it comes time to enjoy fine dining or to sip a cup of rich Czech coffee and enjoy a freshly baked pastry, or simply become an observer of the Prague street scene from a sidewalk cafe, the possibilities are endless.  Immediately across from the Mandarin Oriental, Prague is the Blue Duck, an eatery that serves traditional Czech fare in a unique ambience replete with antiques.  The Café’ Savoy   offers the finest fresh coffee, while for the bon vivant of prime beef, the Cowboy is only a five minute walk from the hotel.  Excellent Mediterranean dining is also near by at the Square, just a five minute stroll.

Short trips that take you out into and through the bucolic countryside that is the hinterland of Prague, yield their own special rewards with castles (lots of castles) leading the list.  The Karlstejn Castle   built during the 14th century is a fortress that features many of the Czech Republic’s national treasures.  A hunting lodge called the Konopiste Castle displays a large assortment of weapons, painting, tapestries and furnishing that date all the way back to when the castle was built.   Other inside-the-city diversions include a Prague dinner river cruise that lets you enjoy the lights of the Prague Castle and the Charles Bridge from yet another vantage point while you enjoy fine dining.  There are pub tours to be enjoyed and traditional Czech fare that is served along with traditional music and dance.  The opportunities are many. 

When it comes time to immerse yourself in the lap of luxury, to indulge your senses and surround yourself with the opulence and accoutrements that are the essence of the “good life”, your base camp (the Mandarin Oriental, Prague) is at your service and your beckon call.  With ninety-nine guest rooms that include twenty-two suites, the Mandarin Oriental, Prague features two floors of unequalled spa facilities, with seven treatment rooms that offer a host of therapies and rituals drawn both from European and Asian traditions.  Their huge, state-of-the-art equipped fitness center is one of the finest in the city and grand style dining can be enjoyed in their Essensia restaurant, which means that you will not have to leave the premises until it suits you.  Happy Traveling!