The first grumpy free break for some years, he was rock bothering in Italy (environmental stuff) so where could we go? After debating and a bottle of wine we decided to try Prague and checked on the Best Western site to see what delights and bargains they had to offer.
For those of you that read my reviews you will notice that we tend to use B.W a lot and there is good reason for doing so. Firstly they are all different, some quirky, some modern, big and small and secondly I can book them all through central reservations, I can easily change hotels, nights and add rooms etc, nothing seems too much trouble.
Where did I choose?
The Best Western Meteor Plaza and what a good choice it turned out to be. At the time of booking
they had a two for three night offer bringing the price for 3 nights B&B in total Ł150.00, bargain!
Location
It is situated outside the famous Powder Gate which was one of 13 entrances to Prague's Old Town and was originally known as the New Tower until its name was changed to the Powder Gate in the 17th century when it was used to store gunpowder. The location could have not been any better, a two minute walk and we were in the old town square full of restaurants beautiful buildings and their famous astrological clock! Now I could go into a bit more detail but the review is about the hotel and there are some good reviews about the Prague experience on Ciao already!
Reception & Check In
Quite a large reception area with leaflets, tour guides and maps. Check in was easy, the receptionist gave us a map of the city, marked the hotel on it and a few interesting features. She went through one or two tours we could book and gave us details of concerts at the local concert hall. Our bags were taken up to our room by a very helpful porter.
Room
Having booked a twin room, I was happy to find two three quarter beds with chocolates on the pillow too! (Oh happy day!) It was a large room with a satellite TV, air-conditioning (it was March so I left it off) and a reasonably priced and well stocked mini bar. Tea and coffee making facilities with mugs!! Much better than tiny cups and saucers first thing in the morning. One really thoughtful touch was the coat hooks, I find it really annoying having to try and hang a huge winter coat on a hanger in a wardrobe. The safe was free to use, the obligatory trouser press was in the corner and a clock radio illuminated my side of the room! On the whole was light and airy, well thought out with a real homely feel to it.
Bathroom
Beautifully clean, the bath was on the smallish side but I did not have a lot of time to wallow in it. The shower was very powerful, in fact it was so powerful that it blew itself off the hook on a regular basis and flooded the bathroom floor! Toiletries and a hairdryer that actually dried hair within a reasonable time were included.
Breakfast
Buffet style, eat as much as you want and believe me we did! The hot dishes were a little odd, fried onions and cauliflower but ,when in Rome. Plenty of choice; from the usual cold meats and cheeses (even stilton) to a wicked selection of cakes and sticky buns. The breakfast room overlooks a terrace which they open up in the summer and is brightly decorated and very welcoming.
Bar
Of course we had to test the bar, couldn’t let my fellow ciao persons down. It was an odd shape, very long and narrow, but nicely decorated and a good relaxing place to stop and have a drink. I was quite surprised at the prices, they were very reasonable, Ł3.50 for a glass of wine (pay more than that in our local pub) and similar price for a cold pint of Czechbeer, yes you could get it cheaper in some of the bars but could also pay twice as much in others! They also did an excellent mulled wine, perfect after staggering back from dinner in the cold (that was my excuse and I am sticking to it).
Amenities I did not use
The Gym: come on I walked for miles and miles! The Sauna & Jacuzzi: 10 Euro for an hour was a bit steep, so I wrestled with our shower instead. The Restaurant: downstairs in a wine cellar, in the pictures it looked amazing, but with so many restaurants to choose from it was not top of my list. Wifi: sorry better things to do! The lifts: I was on the first floor but there are two lifts in the hotel.
There are 73 rooms in total, 5 suites, 10 triple rooms and 1 with a piano in it! I told you they were quirky.
Any problems?
Not with the hotel itself but be warned, in the bars in the old town, if there are no price lists stay out! They can charge what they want and frequently do.
One major gripe and I know it is ""off topic"" but I really want to warn you as it put a real downer on the whole break. At the airport when you have been through passport control there is a small café/bar with sporting memorabilia under the glass floor, stay out! Two coffees and a small bottle of water ………… Ł21.46! No kidding I was gutted, yes hubby had ordered large coffees but they were no bigger that a small latte in Costa. The woman actually smirked when we got the bill. It is such a shame it spoiled the last day.
Would I recommend?
Without a doubt. It was a lovely hotel, just far enough away from the noise and bustle but near enough to be right in the centre of the old town in two minutes. Another plus was the Palladium arcade with 200 shops just around the corner. The staff could not have been more helpful and friendly, I really felt welcome.
www.bestwestern.com
Pictures of Best Western Hotel Meteor Plaza, Prague
Chocs on the pillow
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
With origins dating back to the 14th century the historic building of the Meteor Plaza ... more
hotel is centrally situated next to the Powder Gate, the Municipal House and the Palladium shopping centre.Only a few minutes' walk away you will find attractive sig...
Information:
Price is per double room per night and may vary depending on date booked...
incl. Breakfast - HRS Rating: 6,67/10 - All 55 rooms have been completely refurbished. All ... more
rooms do offer bath, WC, hair dryer, telephone, radio, SAT-TV, minibar, safe deposit box. On the fourth floor there is a fitness centre with sauna. Our hotel is ...
The Best Western Meteor Plaza is a deluxe hotel located in the historical and business ... more
centre of Prague, adjacent to Hibernia Palace, the Powder Gate and the Municipal House. Ideally located, the hotel dates back beyond the year 1307, when the earliest...
Information:
Price is per double room per night and may vary depending on date booked...
The Best Western Meteor Plaza is a deluxe hotel located in the historical and business ... more
centre of Prague, adjacent to Hibernia Palace, the Powder Gate and the Municipal House. Ideally located, the hotel dates back beyond the year 1307, when the earliest...
Information:
Price is per double room per night and may vary depending on date booked...
incl. Breakfast - HRS Rating: 7,62/10 - First references to this small charming hotel come ... more
from the year 1307. No matter how long you stay the receptionists will recommend you the possibilities of making the best out of your time in Prague. Meteor Plaz...
exceptional by (4%):
very helpful by (96%):
