Prague Hotels|Prague, Czech Republic

Augustine, A Luxury Collection Hotel

Name: Augustine, A Luxury Collection Hotel
Telephone: 420-266-112-233

Monastic austerity meets modern luxury

VERIFIED LUXURY

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When kings and emperors ruled from the hilltop Prague Castle, the princes, nobles and clergy set up shop in the Malá Strana district below, creating an atmospheric web of palaces, gardens and monasteries seemingly pulled from a fairy tale.

After decades of communist rule, many of these historic buildings emerged in serious need of repair. Led by famed interiordesigner, Olga Polizzi, the 13th-century St. Thomas Church and monastery resurrected itself by transforming a portion of the property into Augustine, A Luxury Collection Hotel.

Drawing from the structure’s ecclesiastical past, Polizzi endowed the complex with gray marble floors and doses of papal purple, red and orange in the textiles, while preserving original frescos and stone carvings.

Cubist-style and modernist artwork add spice throughout, but it’s the central garden — open to hotelguests and the public alike — that is the highlight. Sitting among propped-up remains of the medieval monastery, you can enjoy degustations and cocktails inspired by the history, not to mention St. Thomas beer, brewed specially for the hotel according to the monks’ original recipe.

Our Inspector's Highlights

The Refectory Bar’s monastic-inspired cocktail list, flavored with herbs from the garden, is one of the best in the city. The Augustinian Angels Cocktails are a particular highlight.
The interior garden is the definition of a hidden gem and remains unknown to most visitors to Prague, making it a quiet escape from tourist congestion.
While most Czech restaurants keep to traditional heavy meat-dumpling-cream combos, the hotel’s Augustine Restaurant explores nouveau Czech cuisine, which is significantly lighter and more creative.
The Tower Suite, once the monastery's observatory, is our favorite accommodation with a full 360-degree view of Malá Strana. Second place goes to the Fresco Suite, with original frescoes discovered during renovation and a 19th-century parquet floor.
One of the spa’s signature treatments is the St. Thomas Beer Body Ritual, which includes an exfoliation using finely ground organic hops and St. Thomas dark brew.

Things to Know

Set in the heart of Malá Strana, the Augustine is right on the main tourist path. However, few pass through the gates, keeping the property secluded and mostly private.
A small coterie of monks still lives on the premises in a separate area. Tours are available and the dusty Harry Potter-esque library is the highlight.
The Prague hotel is only a five-minute walk from Malostranská metro station, and multiple tram lines stop even closer. Public transport may be needed, as many of Prague’s major sites are within a 20-minute walk.
Elevators do not serve every floor, and the labyrinthine layout can sometimes make finding your room a challenge.

The Rooms

Upon arrival, you’ll enjoy a complimentary plate of sausage and St. Thomas Beer. Those in suites get additional welcome amenities, including cocktails, chocolate and tickets for tours.
Experience your best night’s sleep on the hotel’s exceptionally comfortable Hypnos mattresses, which are the official beds of the British royal family.
Cubist-style furnishings are re-created designs of Pavel Janák, a nationally renowned Czech designer and architect from the early 20th century. Larger rooms also include reproductions of chaise lounges by Adolf Loos.
Many rooms contain authentic historical elements, including vaulted ceilings, original wood beams, ornamental iron fixtures and preserved frescos.
Bathrooms come with large marble tubs, heated floors and complimentary Byredo toiletries. Suites include Bulgari products.

Nearby Attractions

The next-door Wallenstein Garden, part of a 16th-century palace, is romantic to the core, but also quirky, with a large dripstone wall covered in fake stalactites, grotesque faces and animals. The garden is also home to an owlery.
Charles Bridge, the symbol of Prague and its most famous sight, is only a seven-minute walk from the luxury hotel.
Looming above the property is the iconic Prague Castle. The walk up to this local landmark is short, but steep in places. Those with mobility issues should take tram 22, which picks up near the hotel and drops off at the castle’s side entrance.
Celebrate Prague’s love for the bizarre at the nearby museum dedicated to Franz Kafka. Out front is a suitably strange and famous moving statue of two men urinating by the country’s most famous sculptor, David Černý.

Amenities