Hilton is splashing out Euros 50 million on upgrading its mammoth hotel in Prague. The renovations include all 788 rooms along with the various food and beverage outlets and other facilities and the work is expected to be finished by 2008.
Prague is an increasingly popular destination with both business and leisure travellers. According to the Hilton Prague's marketing manager Marketa Sebkova, "The renovations are necessary to meet clients' increasing expectations and to keep track of the latest accommodation trends. They will provide greater comfort for corporate and leisure travellers alike.
Over 20 per cent of the accommodation has already been totally modernised and upgraded including the CzecHouse Grill and Restaurant with its open kitchen and which specialises in modern European and Czech traditional cuisine.
The two-level executive floor with its 137-rooms, 32-suites and dedicated lounge has been totally renewed. Guests staying here receive the usual benefits (separate check-in, free breakfast, snacks and so on) along with a free broadband link (in the lounge area) and use of a meeting room.
The current room size (28 square metres) reflects the standards when the hotel (originally called the Atrium but rebranded as a Hilton 10 years ago) opened some 15 years ago. In those days Prague had only a handful of Western-style hotels so the room size was considered perfectly adequate and guests found the atrium lobby to be jaw-dropping. But today the accommodation isn't as spacious as some guests might expect to find at a leading business hotel.
Says Marketa Sebkova, "The size of the rooms is driven by the architectural structure of the building and there isn't much that can be done in terms of size. However during the renovation we have maximised the space by adjusting the furniture layout. Also in the executive rooms we removed the wall between the bathroom and toilet. We now have four point bathrooms with a separate shower cabin."
The Hilton is located on the right bank of the Vltava River, a short walk to the city's historical centre.
Room rates (including service and tax) for a mid-week stay in early May start at Euros 165 for a Value and Euros 205 for a Flexible rate room. Executive rooms cost Euros 230 and Euros 270 respectively.
Hilton Prague, Pobrezni 1, Prague 18600.
Tel + 420 224841111
For more information go to hilton.com
Report by Alex McWhirter