Budget Travel - Hostels in Prague

Hi,

I need some recommendations for hostels in Prague.

Please only post about ones you've actually stayed in.

I'd like to hear:

* why it's good
* are they particularly unfriendly or friendly towards Americans?
* Staff Friendly?
* If you know if they have Wireless internet or not would be nice.
* Good location? Can walk to most stuff around town?
* I'm 39 and the wife is 31 so a youth only hostel would be out, as would one that had unisex dorms only.
* Bathroom/Shower quality?

I've been to quite a few websites of hostels in prauge, but many scare me because they all typically show a bar photo that looks like it's a bunch of 30-50 year old locals hanging out at the bar looking to skeeze off some young tourist chicks. I'd like to avoid this scene if possible.

Thanks in advance

You mentioned not wanting unisex dorms, but would you consider a private room in a hostel?

I can't provide any recommendations myself, but these two sites are very good for hostel reviews:

http://www.bugeurope.com
http://www.guideforeurope.com

Thanks, I found a place that's not too far out and has some sweet rooms...

http://miss-sophies.com/

Seems like picking a hostel in Prague can be a real crapshoot after reading all the reviews on the various sites.

Check out the pics of the marble bathrooms in that place... all the reviews said 5* as well.

<snip>
http://miss-sophies.com/<snip>
Check out the pics of the marble bathrooms in that place... all the reviews said 5* as well.
Looks like a very nice place, but those are hardly hostel prices. Then again, I understand Prague has gotten a little pricey in the last few years :(

Mom visited family about a year ago, and stayed in a pension for not too much money, though it was pretty basic. She found the place online IIRC.

Sorry, haven't been in about 30 years or so, but I am planning a trip for next year.

EmailKid

OP: I was in Praha 3 years ago right before the floods.

Remind me to remind myself :) to write the URLs of the places tonight when I get home and find my notes.

I've mentioned it before, stay in the Communist Secret Police prison. You will love it. :D

Looks like a very nice place, but those are hardly hostel prices. Then again, I understand Prague has gotten a little pricey in the last few years :(

Mom visited family about a year ago, and stayed in a pension for not too much money, though it was pretty basic. She found the place online IIRC.

Sorry, haven't been in about 30 years or so, but I am planning a trip for next year.

EmailKid

Well, 15$ a night for a doorm room bed is average throughout europe these days. It's not hard to pay 20 or 25 euros for the more popular places. But then again, hotel rooms are running $200 per night rack rate for much of north/west europe.

At 360 koruna, the low-season dorm bed is about 12 Euros, which is on the low side for Europe.

The low-season twin ensuite room is 1400 koruna, or about 47 Euros, a very reasonable sum compared to Prague hotel prices.

At 360 koruna, the low-season dorm bed is about 12 Euros, which is on the low side for Europe.

Musta missed that :(

Only glanced briefly at the site, and didn't see the dorm rates. If the rooms are anywhere near as nice as the other rooms, that's a great deal for Praha ^

Thanks for pointing that out.

EmailKid

Thanks, I found a place that's not too far out and has some sweet rooms...

http://miss-sophies.com/

Seems like picking a hostel in Prague can be a real crapshoot after reading all the reviews on the various sites.

Check out the pics of the marble bathrooms in that place... all the reviews said 5* as well.


when are you going? I'll be staying at Miss Sophie's around thanksgiving with friends. It got great reviews on multiple hostel sites.

I'm planning a trip to Prague in the spring and had also been eyeing Miss Sophie's as a potential resting spot. Please report back after Thanksgiving and let us know how it was!!

when are you going? I'll be staying at Miss Sophie's around thanksgiving with friends. It got great reviews on multiple hostel sites.

I'll be there 26-29 December. Please let me know how your stay was. I've read conflicting details on whether there was a public space to gather and chat there, that would be nice to know definitively.

I actually read MANY reviews on many sites about different hostels in Prague. There are some common complaints about the various hostels:

* Staff members stealing from guests out of locked rooms.
* Extremely dirty and rundown.
* Staff have bad attitudes / dont care.
* too many guests per bathroom. (Isn't this always the case though?)
* Staff doesn't speak english.
* Guests have to walk through your room to get to theirs.
* Flyers/advertisements lie about proximity and amenities.
* No kitchen.
* No "Hostel atmosphere".

From what I can tell, the only one I'm concerned about with Sophies was the last one... It seems to be a very common complaint about Prague hostels in general though. Perhaps you can expand apon this after your trip :)

Dan K

I've booked 4 days at Miss Sophie's for the Thanksgiving weekend. I will definitely report back on the experience and set-up. As far as theft, I don't leave anything in the room I would be upset to lose and I always carry my own lock when staying in hostels. My experience has been great thus far hostelwise.

I've booked 4 days at Miss Sophie's for the Thanksgiving weekend. I will definitely report back on the experience and set-up. As far as theft, I don't leave anything in the room I would be upset to lose and I always carry my own lock when staying in hostels. My experience has been great thus far hostelwise.

I try to do the same thing... sometimes the lockers are so small that I can't fit my pack into them... in that case I usually unpack anything valuable and stick it in the locker... I have a special cable lock for luggage I use to lock the backpack to the bed. Even then though if I know i'm going to be out late, I'll leave a flashlight and pajamas under my pillow so I dont have to wake up the whole dorm when I return. The real problem can be private rooms, which seem to rarely come with lockers... So you lock the room and trust the staff. some of these cases were what I was reading about on the various forums. One guy complained to the manager who promptly threw him out. They do have some pretty advanced pack locks that make it nearly impossible to steal anything (Think of those bags that oranges come in, only made of stainless steel and a locking collar). But they are just too heavy to lug across europe for several weeks.

I try to do the same thing... sometimes the lockers are so small that I can't fit my pack into them... in that case I usually unpack anything valuable and stick it in the locker... I have a special cable lock for luggage I use to lock the backpack to the bed. Even then though if I know i'm going to be out late, I'll leave a flashlight and pajamas under my pillow so I dont have to wake up the whole dorm when I return. The real problem can be private rooms, which seem to rarely come with lockers... So you lock the room and trust the staff. some of these cases were what I was reading about on the various forums. One guy complained to the manager who promptly threw him out. They do have some pretty advanced pack locks that make it nearly impossible to steal anything (Think of those bags that oranges come in, only made of stainless steel and a locking collar). But they are just too heavy to lug across europe for several weeks.

Interesting to hear of theft in private rooms so I will warn my friends as well. Miss Sophie's isn't really that cheap so I am hoping that won't be an issue. I haven't hostelled in Europe for many, many moons so this is a refresher trip although I hostelled extensively across australia, nz and fiji with no problems. I think the key is to keep everything valuable (money, passport, tickets) on you and little else in the room. I've seen people backpack with curling irons, electronics, personal trinkets and to me it just translate a whole lot more to carry on your back (or pull along on wheels).

While this probably won't meet the OP's needs, I'll post it anyway. I stayed at the Boathouse in Prague in April 2003.

http://www.aa.cz/boathouse/index2en.htm

The small staff is friendly, a group of older women so they were more like your mom than the average hostel staff. They will serve dinner and do your laundry for a small fee. There is no bar, but there is a common room with a TV and they sell bottles of beer if you really need one :) The rooms were long and narrow with bunk beds on each side, but had decent lockers. I remember the showers being ok.

The drawbacks include a location a little bit away from the city, so you have to take the tram there. You can pay for net access on their computer, but I don't believe they have wireless access. Also, the dorms are single sex only.

I would probably stay somewhere more central next time, but it was a decent place nonetheless.

[QUOTE=wanderlust_jules]I've booked 4 days at Miss Sophie's for the Thanksgiving weekend. I will definitely report back on the experience and set-up. [QUOTE]


I will be at Miss Sophie's from Nov 20-24. Is that around when you are staying or a bit before?

Herbie

I will be at Miss Sophie's from Nov 20-24. Is that around when you are staying or a bit before?

Herbie

We'll be there Nov 24-28. My flight gets in the morning of the 24th and meeting up with friends at the hostel later that day. I'm looking forward to a pint of Czech lager!

While this probably won't meet the OP's needs, I'll post it anyway. I stayed at the Boathouse in Prague in April 2003.

http://www.aa.cz/boathouse/index2en.htm

The small staff is friendly, a group of older women so they were more like your mom than the average hostel staff. They will serve dinner and do your laundry for a small fee. There is no bar, but there is a common room with a TV and they sell bottles of beer if you really need one :) The rooms were long and narrow with bunk beds on each side, but had decent lockers. I remember the showers being ok.

The drawbacks include a location a little bit away from the city, so you have to take the tram there. You can pay for net access on their computer, but I don't believe they have wireless access. Also, the dorms are single sex only.

I would probably stay somewhere more central next time, but it was a decent place nonetheless.

I strongly considered that place, and almost booked it, based on a series of excellent reviews across many websites. The one reason I didn't ultimately go with it was the location, and apparent 5-10 minute walk down an unlit road at night. If I was going by myself I think I'd stay there, but I have the wife with me. Id still like to see it one day :)

Dan K

I have stayed at Miss Sophies and it was ok. Nothing really that special about. It is better suited for people like yourselves because as someone mentioned there is a lack of a "community room".

The hostel in Prague that I enjoyed the most was Sir Toby's but it is away from the city center. The walk to Old Town Square would take 30 minutes, or a 5 tram-stop ride. Its in a residential area of Prague and the local restaurants and pubs are 1/4 of the price of downtown. Clean bathrooms and a great outdoor sitting area along with a bar in the basement. Delvita (Czech grocery store) is right down the street and has some great prices on food and beverages.

Hi,

I need some recommendations for hostels in Prague.

Please only post about ones you've actually stayed in.

I'd like to hear:

* why it's good
* are they particularly unfriendly or friendly towards Americans?
* Staff Friendly?
* If you know if they have Wireless internet or not would be nice.
* Good location? Can walk to most stuff around town?
* I'm 39 and the wife is 31 so a youth only hostel would be out, as would one that had unisex dorms only.
* Bathroom/Shower quality?

I've been to quite a few websites of hostels in prauge, but many scare me because they all typically show a bar photo that looks like it's a bunch of 30-50 year old locals hanging out at the bar looking to skeeze off some young tourist chicks. I'd like to avoid this scene if possible.

Thanks in advance

I stayed at the Clown and Bard - which I believe is their URL too. I was there three years ago as a single and had the most wonderful experience. They answered the bell on each of your bullet-pointed issues - though it does skew to 20s and 30s only. No problems with locals whatsoever.

One issue you might have - which didn't bother me as I love travelling the city by train - was you had to walk five blocks to hop aboard a line, which took 10 minutes to get "nto the "tourist town."

My memory is fading, but if you know where the "radio-like tower" is, the Clown and Bard is right there.

BTW: the hottest waitress I ever met from Slovakia worked there and served mean drinks.

Just returned from Prague and 4 nights at Miss Sophies. I have only very good things to say about the hostel and the staff. Our room was very clean and very quiet. It's 1-2 blocks from the I.P. Pavlova metro stop and about a 15-20 min walk to Wenceslas Square and 20-25 min walk into Old Town. We never took the Tram. There is a huge Tesco at the Narodini Trida metro stop if you want to shop for groceries... the common area/kitchen are small but clean. Free internet. RadostFX (cafe/restaurant/club) is about 3 blocks away and Jama Restaurant is about a 10 min walk. I had a lovely turkey dinner with a slew of Americans at Jama—it was fab.

Miss Sophies will be perfect if you are looking for a quieter place to stay away from the rowdiness and aren't really looking to meet other travelers. Mainly Brits there as far as I could tell but no one really hung out in the common area. You are better off meeting others at a pub as we did. I really liked it and a friend that couldn't get a room there was very jealous.

PS Didn't experience any Anti-Americanism but I didn't find the Czechs to be very warm or welcoming either. As far as security, Miss Sophie's has not storage lockers but they ask you to leave the key when you go out as a security measure. We had no problems.

Hi,

I need some recommendations for hostels in Prague.

Please only post about ones you've actually stayed in...Thanks in advance

How about renting a studio?
http://www.accommodation-prague.cz

My husband and I stayed in the "Sleszka Street" apartment - a great experience. And I see Mr. Falta has sweetened the deal, offering the use of a cell phone, etc for certain stays. No wifi access, but you can always hit a cafe, like we used to do in the olden days...

Easy access to transit and downtown, Mr. Falta gave us maps and directions and was a pleasure to deal with.

Cheers and bon voyage!

Just stayed at Miss Sophie's several days ago and I must say it was like being in a low-star hotel. Apart from a couple of nights where we had some very loud Brits, which were accordingly subdued by management, I could have stayed there another 2 weeks. The rooms are light and airy, the beds (not bunks) are soft and the pillow and blanket are filled with feathers and are amazingly comfortable.

The bathrooms are so awesome, you will be addicted to the shower, and the staff are the most friendly you will find. The only downside is that you can't do laundry and I had to pay something like $10USD to get it done at a laundromat :td: . Also, they only have two (although really cool) computers to use internet and you have to stand to use them so not ideal for long usage.

All in all the best hostel I've stayed in yet, although I have only ever stayed in 4 hostels :eek:. I'm in Friendly Fun Franks Backpackers in Riga, Latvia at the moment and it is great as well. Riga is amazing! I hear there are some nice things to see during the day.... :D

Herbie

Sir Toby's is the best in Prague, bar none. Stayed there 10+ times.

http://www.sirtobys.com/

I will be spending a week and a half in Prague during the 2008 Christmas holiday season.
I plan on staying at the following hostels:

A Plus Prague
The Boathouse
SPUS Ladvi
Prague Leon

Has anyone had any recent experience with any of these hostels? Has anyone ever spent Christmas in Prague? What can I expect? Any comments would be appreciated.

I've mentioned it before, stay in the Communist Secret Police prison. You will love it. :D

Is that the one where Vaclav Havel was imprisoned in in the late 70ties? I remember staying at a place that had a hostel in the basement and a hotel on ground level. The staircase leading downstairs had a huge Pink Panther image. I cannot remember the name but have quite a few nice memories.
We stayed in the dorm room where Vaclav Havel was staying. When it was a prison he was on his own and now that it became a hostel there were four bunk beds ;)

You might also consider the top floor of the Grand Hotel Europe, which is bang on Wencelas Square. The rooms on the top floor share clean bathrooms on the hall and tend to be priced competitively with hostels. You also get a decent breakfast in the bargain. You get a discount for paying in cash. My last few trips there were on business so I stayed in 4* places, but if I am on my own and just in town for a day or two, the Europa is the place I head for.

Hello,

I think “Miss Sophie’s” is a perfect one for you. I stayed there last year with my girlfriend, and it’s a great area, excellent hotel facilities with hostel prices and top rated in most sites. What I liked the most about it was the decoration of the rooms and the very impressive shower head, which is actually the size of a small pizza and very, very powerful.

- While I was there there were a lot of Americans (apparently Prague is becoming a top destination for you guys), and everything was fine with them.

- Staff is friendly and have really good command of English.

- They have computers with internet in the hall, they might have wireless too but I don’t know.

- The double room we picked was very private and elegant, they even left chocolates in bed (great point!).

- No messy hostel atmosphere, the place is a hotel for young people.

- Location is awesome, very close to the National Museum (the start of central Prague)

The only downside to it would be the lack of breakfast, but you can get a cheap great breakfast in any cafeteria in Prague. You won’t regret booking this place,the best of Prague hostels (http://www.hostelbookers.com/hostels/czech-republic/prague/), I would go back!

Hope that helps, by the way, don’t forget to check out “Banditos” mexican restaurant right in front of the place. Great Burritos (and great absynth!).


Cheers!:D