Prague: Hotel Maximilian (September 2004)

My spouse and I spent four nights at the Hotel Maximilian in late September 2004. The Maximilian is a 10-minute walk from Prague's main attractions such as Old Town Square, Charles Bridge, and Wenceslas Square. It is located on the quiet and peaceful Hastalske namesti, facing the magnificent St. Hastal Church. Located in a building originally designed by Czech architectural historian and critic Karel Teige in the 1920s, the Maximilian Hotel opened in Prague in April 1995. In 2004, Eva Jiricna, in collaboration with AI Design, renovated the Maximilan. They transformed it into a signature property offering a greater degree of comfort and a design statement of its own without requiring major reconstruction. Just walk in the lobby to see the splendid result: a backlit yellow onyx wall provides a dramatic backdrop for the reception desks, made of walnut and black lacquer. The materials and design are a gesture to the 1920s, a time of transition from Art Deco to Modernism. Other period references abound, starting with the colors — blue bed throws, red and purple chairs in the library, and the Eileen Gray chairs used by Pierre Chareau for La Maison de Verre in Paris. The graphic works on display throughout the hotel are by Czech artists of the era, on loan from Prague’s Museum of Decorative Arts. Keen eyes will spot other reference designers such as Giuseppe Terragni, or Arne Jacobsen, along with elements of the original building. Composed of two buildings ("Black House” and “Red House"), the Maximilian Hotel offers 70 Deluxe and Superior Deluxe Rooms, and 1 Suite equipped with a glass partition-bathroom with a Philippe Starck-bathtub and shower. Guests enjoy professional service, friendly staff, and a high standard of quality. All rooms are equipped with rainfall showerheads, telephone, TV, and mini-bar. Bathrobes and slippers, hairdryer, toiletries, air-conditioning, and a safe. All rooms are soundproof and most face the courtyard.

We just returned on 10/4, staying at the Maximilian in Josefov/Stare Mesto. We liked the hotel quite a bit. It's a member of the Golden Tulip chain. I think they have three properties in Prague. I found the prices on the Golden Tulip site to be less than half the prices quoted on the hotel site when I made my reservation (months ago). Our room with a king-size bed was approximately $160 USD per night, including a great (full) breakfast buffet. The Maximilian website lists open dates at the bottom of the Reservations page (they show availability for Oct 17 to 20). The Maximilian has a sister hotel, Hotel Josef, which looked really hip and happening. I don't think it is a Golden Tulip property, though.