Corinthia Hotel Prague ★★★★★

After a whirlwind adventure which had taken me through Europe a few summers ago, starting in the vibrant city of Amsterdam and doing a big circle through Eastern Europe, finishing in bella Italia, I had an overwhelming wanderlust to relive my favourite part of my trip… Prague. Despite just spending three nights there, I’d managed to cram in most of the main sights, from the fairytale castles, the striking architecture everywhere you look, the centuries-old bridges and the rest of the iconic gems that lie within the Bohemian wonderland. I’d indulged in the classic goulash and dumplings whilst being serenaded by live jazz, and snacked on a cinnamon-flavoured trdelník or two whilst winding through the quaint back lanes and bustling cobbled streets. But Prague is one of those places where the more you walk, the more hidden corners and secret charms you discover, and the more enchanted you become with the unique essence of the city. Three years later I still couldn’t get its unsurpassed beauty out of my head, so I decided to book myself a holiday there, this time with plenty more time to satisfy my long standing infatuation with this Gothic masterpiece of a city. I decided to upgrade from the hostel that I’d stayed in last time, as nice as it was, so I booked two weeks in the chic Hotel Corinthia*****. My only regret was that I had chosen somewhere so nice that it was difficult to drag myself away each day to go and explore… but it couldn’t have been a more perfect place to spend my nights.

I arrived in Prague on a quiet Sunday morning, and made my way to the hotel – it certainly wasn’t hard to miss, despite my complete lack of sense of direction and orientation! Standing atop a hill, the 26-floor tower is a landmark in itself. I checked in and was shown to my Superior Room, beautifully decorated in soft, natural tones and furnished with state of the art Corinthia Dream Bed and all the luxuries you’d expect from such a fine abode. The sweeping vista of my beloved city from the window was unbeatable, with its beautiful skyline and striking architecture. I was determined to spend as much time exploring the city as possible but it was nice to know that I could come back to my LCD TV with a selection of films, free Wi-Fi, premium tea and coffee making facilities and a wealth of other luxuries.

Desperate to explore, I headed into town and rekindled my love with the UNESCO World Heritage Site. I made my way through the winding streets, stopping at various masterpieces along the way, until I reached Old Town Square… the perfect place for a beer (I couldn’t resist – it’s cheaper than water!) and a spot of people-watching. I carried on to the famous Charles Bridge, a medieval stone link between the city’s two halves, full of Baroque statues, buskers, entertainers and a lively atmosphere.

My evening finished with an hour or two in the Apollo Day Spa, where I allowed myself to be completely pampered in an oasis of calm, before a leisurely dip in the indoor pool which boasts panoramic views of the city. I then enjoyed a delicious meal in The Rickshaw, allowing my taste buds to be taken on an oriental journey encompassing the full spectrum of Far Eastern cuisine.  A quick night cap in the dynamic City Bar followed, and then it was time to get a good sleep, ready for more adventures tomorrow…