We had the pleasure of spending three nights over Christmas (25th-28th) at this terrific property. Thanks to DavidO for handling our arrangements. We were originally booked to arrive for our stay from the 24th; however we were caught up in the snow. A quick call to the hotel for a last minute amendment (late afternoon on the 24th) was handled efficiently and without any issues.

I have tried to break the review down a bit into headings below. Not awfully good at these types of property reviews so if you have a question about something I haven’t brought up, please do let me know! The only glaring omission from this report will be the spa which for some bizarre reason I didn’t feel the need to try out this trip... We’re not huge massage / treatment boys anyway.

Arrival (and Departure)
We arrived just after lunch on the 25th. We were met at the airport and driven to the hotel. The drive took around 20 minutes. Car was nice and the driver was also very helpful re a few hints and tips while we were in the city.
Actual arrival was handled very well – doorman was quick to open car doors and remove our baggage from our sight. We were very warmly welcomed and were immediately struck by how intimate the hotel feels upon entry. Check-in was efficient – our Virtuoso / MO Fan Club amenities were confirmed for us (we had already been confirmed before departure for our upgrade to a Deluxe Terrace Room) and we were given a quick tour of the hotel on the way to our room. Once in, bags arrived moments later.

Departure was basically this in reverse. No issues at check-out – great service and an easy, friendly drive to the train station.

Room
Absolutely gorgeous! I really loved the decor of the room. It was a great size – plenty of space for our three night stay. Upon entering the room, there was the closet and luggage storage on the left. A very good sized bathroom was on the right – double sinks with a fantastic mirror, nice deep tub which could fit both of us in it, toilet and a nice big rain shower which again fit both of us!
The room itself had fantastic light thanks to the big doors / windows opening on the terrace / garden area – stunning in winter. Terrace was not private (not really a problem) but had our own table and chairs albeit covered in snow. It was well furnished with the TV cabinet and desk along with a fantastically comfortable bed – I slept so well those three nights. I initially thought it was a bit hard for me, but after the first night sleep, I thought it heaven. I also arranged for a Christmas Tree to be put up in our room and it was beautifully decorated with Czech glass ornaments (ours to keep) and gingerbread men (ours to eat). Welcome chocolates were in place, fruit also as well as a card from the GM and I think one on behalf of DavidO. I especially liked the lack of direct lighting in the room.
Oh and free wifi in the rooms too is great.

Food
We ate Christmas Dinner at the hotel restaurant Essensia. They had a five course set menu which was leaning more towards international than Czech if I recall correctly. The food was fantastic and the wine list was extensive. I can’t remember exactly what I had for my main – I’m thinking rack of venison – but it was delicious. Langoustine starter was also nice.
Breakfast each day was fine – we were a little confused about the set up (the buffet area wasn’t very big) so just ordered al la carte each day (i.e. eggs Benedict, omelettes, salmon scrambled eggs, etc.) and then helped ourselves to the buffet too. We had breakfast included in our rate and at the end of the stay there were no charges. Coffee was fine at breakfast too.
Only other thing we ‘ate’ at the hotel was high tea on Christmas Day when we were late for lunch, but early for dinner (had to be at the opera house by 7:00pm). This was fine – teas were very nice and the various edibles were all tasty.
Overall, very happy with the hotel food – would have like another dinner or lunch there, but with only three nights, we were out and about during the day and wanted to try other places at night.

Service
FANTASTIC. From the moment we booked to the moment we checked out I cannot fault the team right from concierge (who arranged dinners, the ballet, etc.), to housekeeping (who arranged the Christmas tree), to restaurant / bar staff (perfect, proactive but unobtrusive service), to the GM (who we got in touch with). The GM obviously has assembled a fantastic team and they all perform their functions very well. Special note to Tomas who was very helpful with things to do in Prague, getting around (although we ended up walking everywhere) and restaurant recommendations (V Zatisi on the other side was spot on). Housekeeping was also great – room always impeccably made up. We’re messy fellas too and it was nice, although not needed really, to have our clothes folded and tidied each day – including underwear!
I really loved the girl who was behind the bar most of the time we were ever in there (everyday!) – she was fantastic – very friendly and always making sure we were okay.
Restaurant staff – particularly one waiter at breakfast – were also great – he would bring me my preferred coffee and juice each morning and when they ran out of bagels, he found some more, toasted it, cream cheesed it, salmoned it and popped it down right in front of me. They really couldn’t do enough to please you.
I had read a review somewhere prior to writing this that the service was impersonal – I wonder if this person really stayed at the hotel because this is the opposite of my experience – everyone smiled and warmly greeted us upon sight and we were very well taken care of for the length of our stay.

Location
Best in Prague. Mala Strana is an OASIS of calm – even in the middle of winter – cannot fathom how dreadfully busy the Old Town side would be in summer. The hotel is perfectly situated within walking distance to every site in Prague. The castle is a 15-ish minute walk, the Old Town Square is about the same as is Paris St for shopping and the Jewish Quarter which is also quite interesting.
I loved being able to leave the hustle and bustle. Sure the FS will have nice views, but to be honest, we’re not big on needing a view as we don’t find we spend a heap of time in the hotel room. I’d stay in the MO purely because it is tucked out of the way but so close to everything – besides, walking back and forth over the Charles Bridge is a treat as was cutting through past Lennon Wall and via Kampa Island.

So that sums up the hotel pretty much. Overall, I think they’ve done a fantastic job converting the monastery and incorporating the more modern section. The public areas of the hotel are warm, intimate and inviting. The monastery lounge is a fab room. The gym is well equipped. The decor throughout the hotel is simple, contemporary and classy. The atmosphere in the hotel exudes a warm, hospitable environment. I really loved it and will be raving about it for a long time to come. We’ve stayed in some nice chains (Ritz, FS, Park Hyatts) but I haven’t been really wowed by one until the MO. If I go back to Prague, regardless of season, I will definitely stay here again. I can imagine the stepping out of the Deluxe Terrace Room into the Monastery Gardens in spring / summer would be great.
I’ll just add too that the hotel did Christmas perfectly. Very tasteful decorations around the hotel – a tree in the bar, in the restaurant and in the Monastery Lounge (plus our room). The staff all greeted us with Merry Christmas on the 25th. I also read someone complaining Christmas isn’t done well – I think it was perfect for the type of property – there are not grand spaces for elaborate trees or over-the-top decorations. I’ve heard Abu Dhabi does that quite well if that’s what you need to have a nice Christmas. MO Prague did things were tastefully and very much in tune with the establishment they have set up.

A Bit About Prague...
I really loved Prague. Not as much as I loved Florence which we visited in October, but I’m perhaps attributing that to (a) Florence being the first place outside London we saw in Europe, (b) Italian food, culture, people, etc. make me melt, (c) it was so freaking freezing in Prague it was ridiculous (I’m an Aussie, other half is a Kiwi, we don’t do sightseeing in -9°C very well).
That aside, the Prague castle complex is gorgeous – the views are terrific too. The Charles Bridge was cool. The Old Town Square was okay (too crowded for me, but looked great at Christmas). The Astronomical Clock was lame – totally glad we ended up here by accident at 1:55pm one day and stood wondering why everyone was looking at the tower. Shopping is lame too – unless perhaps you’re looking for stuff you can only buy in Prague – which we weren’t. The Jewish Quarter was interesting. Overall though, it was one of those cities you just walk around and soak up. Nice architecture (prefer Florence though), nice sights, just a whole lot of nice in a compact little package you can easily absorb over a few days. I would like to go back in a warmer month though – albeit walking around constantly slightly tipsy from mulled / hot wine was fun.
Oh and Prague isn’t too expensive. Have heard people say it is getting pricey, but we found it fine. Only thing we noticed was that foreign wines were a bit cheekily priced!

Some Pictures...

Room with tree:


Bathroom:


Gardens:


me in Monastery Lounge:


me in Bar for High Tea:


high tea shot again. yum.


Entry:


Mala Strana (just by hotel):


Castle (15 mins up the hill on foot):


Castle / bridge statues / Jesus thing: