I was hosted by The Augustine and Visit Czech Republic. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
From boutique hotels to vacation rentals, where to stay in Prague can be met with limitless answers. But for those looking for a historic location, top-tier service, a distinctive sense of place, and prime Prague Castle views, there can only be one.
Enter, The Augustine Prague.
Being the hotel geek that I am, I was dying to stay at The Augustine in Prague for three reasons:
- This hotel was built within the St. Thomas Monastery, which dates back to the 13th century and is still in operation to this day
- Itβs a part of The Luxury Collection by Marriott, an exclusive collective of hotels and resorts selected for being prime stewards of culture, history, and hospitality in their respective destinations (the only other Luxury Collection property Iβd ever stayed in prior to this was The Royal Hawaiian in Oahu!)
- It is home to the one, the onlyβ¦ Christmas Suite!!! (youβll want to see this, so keep reading β I have a whole section on it below)
So, when I spent a month in the Czech Republic during the winter, I knew I had to check out The Augustine and all its Christmas cheer for myself.
If youβre wondering where to stay in Prague and considering this hotel, read on for my full review of The Augustineβs location, history, rooms, food, and whether the Christmas suite really lived up to the hype!
RELATED: The Ultimate 3 Day Prague Itinerary
Location: Prague’s Mala Strana Neighborhood
A stoneβs throw from the Prague Castle, located in the quiet yet hip Mala Strana neighborhood (also known as Lesser Town), youβll find The Augustine tucked away behind tall stone walls on an unassuming street. You might not know youβve arrived right away when you first find it, but youβll soon realize just how centrally located you are.
The Prague Castle, St. Vitus Cathedral, the Lennon Wall, and the Kafka Museum can all be found in the neighborhood. Beyond that, a quick 15-minute walk across the Vltava River gets you to the heart of Old Town, and youβre never more than 10 – 20 minutes by Prague Metro from anywhere else youβd need to be.
Now imagine 13th century Prague, with no metro, few buildings, and just one newly constructed bridge connecting the east and west sides of the river. This is when the story of this monastery-turned-luxury property begins!
The Augustine Prague Property
The Augustine dates back to the year 1227, when the Church of St. Thomas was constructed. A monastery was soon added, but the site suffered several fires over the centuries and constantly needed to be restored (in fact, the most recent restoration took place in the 19th century).
Despite the restoration over the years, you can distinctly feel the history here when walking around the propertyβs seven buildings. Augustinian monks have strolled these corridors, roamed the cloistered courtyards, and dined in these same halls for centuries. If you look around, youβll start to notice that some of the doors are different sizes, and some donβt even lead anywhere anymore because they used to be monksβ quarters. The halls have a bit of an Alice in Wonderland allure to them, and so many stories to tell.
With all this history, you might wonder whether staying in a monastery hotel would feel a little⦠well, dated. But apart from the impeccably well-preserved frescoes, a stay at the Augustine is far from monastic!
In addition to the rooms, which Iβll talk about next, the Augustine also has an onsite fitness center and spa. You can do everything from relax in the sauna to enjoy unique spa treatments like calming candle massages and collagen facials. Czechs take their spa time very seriously, and this spa is a central feature and huge perk of staying at the Augustine, if youβre wondering about what the best places to stay in Prague have to offer.
The Augustine Rooms
Of the Augustineβs 101 rooms, no two are the same. Each has a touch of Augustinian flair in one way or another.
Some rooms might have vaulted ceilings and original doors, others might have wall-to-wall frescoes.
The rooms on the top floor are composed of old monastic βcells.β
The Presidential Suite is a massive, 1,600-square foot apartment that seems to never end.
Finally, the Tower Suite has 360-degree views of Prague and spans three whole floors.
What ties the rooms together are the finishings. In each room, youβll find Czech Cubist furniture, a similar color scheme, and marble mosaic bathrooms. Itβs 1930s Czech luxe with modern finishings like heated bathroom floors and comfy soaking tubs.
When you call for room service, they know you by name (a small touch, but really helps a hotel feel βluxeβ to me). My reservation was made under βRachel Off Duty,β so I was called Mrs. Offduty the whole time, which made me smile π
The Augustine Room Options:
From classic rooms (375 sq ft) to presidential suites (1600 sq ft), there are tons of options when it comes to rooms at the Augustine. Each has its own unique features, so rather than list them here, use this link to compare room types, prices, and amenities for yourself!
The Christmas Suite at the Augustine Prague
Want a special stay in Prague for the holidays? Letβs talk about The Christmas Suite!
Once a year, from November till early January, the Augustine transforms one of its suites and one of its rooms into a cozy, elaborately decorated Christmas wonderland. Families who book the Christmas Suite, and couples who book the Christmas Room, can expect their own Christmas tree, lights and wreaths, freshly baked sweets, a complimentary Christmas gift, and other fun surprises throughout. You can also receive complimentary parking and daily buffet breakfast.
As I opened the door to our Christmas Room, I let out an audible βWOWβ at the sight of a hotel room decked out with lights and gold trimmings. When it comes to where to stay in Prague, especially during the holidays, the Christmas Suite at the Augustine is unlike any other.
How to Book the Christmas Suite at the Augustine?
Though the Christmas accommodations at the Augustine do not come cheap, they are an amazing and cheery option thatβll put you in the festive spirit. Early reservations are strongly recommended, and you can check availability and pricing by emailing Santaβs helpers at the Augustine (reservations.augustine@luxurycollection.com).
Food and Drink at the Augustine
There are three and a βhalfβ main dining and drinking options at The Augustine. And, while there are so many good places to eat in Prague, I definitely recommend indulging in at least one meal here at the hotel!
The Augustine Restaurant
The onsite restaurant, the Augustine Restaurant, offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner. While I only visited for their buffet breakfast (which I really enjoyed and which comes with mimosas on request), what Iβve been told is that the restaurant focuses on international cuisine with distinctively Czech flavor and seasonal ingredients. Throughout the year, the restaurant might also host seasonal events like garden BBQs in the summer.
The Refectory Bar
For drinks and light bites, youβll head to The Refectory. This quiet but elegant bar is a showstopper in my opinion. Decorated with original 19th century pink frescoes, The Refectory was the former dining hall of the Augustinian monks.
Fun fact: Augustinian monks brewed their own beer here until the mid 1900s! In the 16th century, they were even the official beer distributors for the royalty at the Prague Castle. And let me tell you β Augustinian beer is pretty strong! You can try it here at The Refectory, along with a great selection of cocktails. In the winter months, you can even order seasonal drinks like mulled wine (known locally as SvaΕΓ‘k), which is delicious.
Room Service at the Augustine
The Augustineβs room service options come from the Augustine Restaurant, and as far as room service goes, itβs pretty tasty and well-presented! We ordered room service one night for a lowkey evening, and had a beautiful root vegetable soup, charcuterie, a burger, and a glass of wine.
St. Thomas Brewery Bar
Last but not least, the βhalfβ I mentioned earlier is the hotelβs St. Thomas Brewery Bar. This stunning artificial grotto was once the cellar of the original St. Thomas Brewery! While we got to tour it during our visit, this venue is currently only open for private events.
Tips to Know Before You Go
1. HOW TO GET AROUND IN PRAGUE
Prague is an incredibly walkable city with a super efficient metro. You can also find Uber and Bolt (Europeβs rideshare app, which I recommend downloading).
You wonβt likely need a rental car if youβre planning to stay within the city itself. But if you do plan to explore the rest of the Czech Republic, use this link to rent a car. I recommend Sixt by the train station in town, or the rental car options at the Prague airport.
2. WHAT TO DO IN THE AREA
- Get a massage or a facial at the Augustine Spa
- Grab a beer from The Refectory
- Wander up the Prague Castle for sweeping city views, and donβt miss the St. Vitus Cathedral, the Lobkowitz Gallery, and The Golden Lane
- Snap your photo at the John Lennon Wall (be sure to bring a sharpie so you can add your own mark!)
- Stroll across the Vltava River for Old Town Square, Wenceslas Square, the Dancing House, and more
- Hike up the hill to see Prague from the Petrin Tower
- Take a Foodie Tour with Taste of Prague
- Take a walking tour or biking tour of the city
Ready to pack your bags? Book your stay at The Augustine, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Prague here.
Book Activities In Or Near This Hotel Here:
Read This Next:
- The Ultimate 3 Day Prague Itinerary: Landmarks, Food, History, and Art
- Your Year-Round Guide to Cesky Krumlov (1 and 2 Day Itineraries)
- Amazing Places to Visit in the Czech Republic [Ultimate List!]
- Your Complete Guide to Working Remotely from the Czech Republic