Location. Set in an ornate Belle Epoque building, Le Palais Hotel is in the fashionable Vinohrady district of Prague, Czech Republic. The late 19th-century hotel is one-and-a-half kilometres from the National Museum, Vysehrad and Wenceslas Square. Prague Ruzyne Airport (PRG) is 12 kilometres from the hotel. Hotel Features. A wrought iron doorway leads into the softly lit marble lobby, reflecting the hotel's turn-of-the-century character with original mosaic floors and elaborate ceiling frescoes.

Le Papillon restaurant has chandeliers, polished wood and floral drapes, and faces a manicured terrace and the Nusle Valley. The lemon-hued restaurant serves international and Czech flavours all day. Signature dishes include hearty duck with dumplings. Tartan armchairs surround a fireplace in the lobby bar that serves cocktails and drinks.

Le Palais Hotel has a business centre and meeting rooms for small groups. High-speed Internet access is available in public areas (surcharge).

A marble staircase winds down to the health club with a mosaic-tiled jetted tub and aromatherapy showers spraying menthol- or lemon-scented water. There is a fitness room with treadmills and step machines, sauna, steam room and solarium. The hotel has a beauty salon and hair salon on site.

Guestrooms. Le Palais Hotel's 72 Belle Epoque-style guestrooms are decorated in warm yellows with rich red fabrics. Overlooking either the Nusle Valley or turn-of-the-century mansions, the soundproofed rooms feature air conditioning, high-speed Internet connections (surcharge), refrigerators, satellite television, CD and DVD players, minibars and safes.

Expert Tip. In the 1890s, Bohemian painter Ludek Marold lived in an apartment at Prague's Le Palais. His work includes the flower motif staircase and ceilings frescoes of swallows in flight.

Room Types:

Superior Room:   One queen bed. 26 square metres. Air conditioning. Direct-dial telephone, high-speed Internet port. Satellite TV and DVD player. Complimentary minibar, tea and coffee-making facilities. Safe and trouser press. Marble bathroom with heated floor, hair dryer, bathrobe, and slippers. Welcome drink, shoe shine. Complimentary health club access.

Executive Room:   One double bed or two twin beds. Air conditioning. Direct-dial telephone, complimentary high-speed Internet connection. Satellite TV and DVD player (with complimentary DVD rental). Minibar, tea and coffee-making facilities. Safe and trouser press. Marble bathroom with heated floor, hair dryer, bathrobe, and slippers.

Driving Directions: From Prague Ruzyne Airport (PRG): Distance to Le Palais Hotel is 12 kilometres, approximately 30 minutes' drive.

Getting there. Registered taxis wait outside the Arrivals hall and cost about 600 CZK-900 CZK (22 EUR-32 EUR) to the city centre. Minibuses depart from outside the Arrivals hall and run to Namesti Republiky square, in the city centre. The single fare is 90 CZK per person. Bus numbers 119 and 254 run to Dejvicka, the airport's closest metro station. The journey takes about 20-30 minutes, and single tickets cost 20 CZK (1 EUR). Prices are all subject to change.

Getting around. Le Palais Hotel is situated one-and-a-half kilometres from Wenceslas Square's shops. Prague's historic centre is compact and easy to explore on foot, as many roads are pedestrianised. There is an efficient and inexpensive public transport system, including trams, buses, metro, and a funicular railway. Tickets are available from tobacconists, stations, and many hotel reception desks, and can be used on all modes of transport. Five of the major metro stations have information offices, with schedules, maps, and directions. The hotel has an onsite parking garage (surcharge).