The Czech Republic is rife with beautiful contradictions, one of the greatest being that this country was only born in 1993, but its history is one of the most fascinating and dramatic in all of Europe. The Czech Republic's many facets mean there's every kind of travel experience on offer here, and it's the abundance of choice which makes finding the best places to stay in the Czech Republic a challenge.
The small regions within its borders contain an inordinate number of architectural treasures, as well as dense forests and great mountains. But for many people the spectacularly beautiful capital, Prague, is best known for being somewhere to let your hair down.
The Czech Republic occupies the lands formerly covered by Bohemia and Moravia, and as well as the local people, this area has been home to Slovaks, Germans, Jews, French and Italian traders and artists, and deserters from Napoleon's army. It's the mix of cultures which makes the modern way of life here so colourful, and which has made the country's architecture so beautiful. Skills were brought from all over Europe and applied to the Czech Republic's castles, manors or chateaux, churches and monasteries and even whole towns.
Prague has long been known for the charm of its old town, with its great, crowning castle and the Staromak Square, but the Czech Republic is littered with beautiful towns and cities.
Ceský Krumlov is also well known for its elegance, with its Renaissance and Baroque buildings and views over the meandering Vltava river.
Telc, with its 15th Century Gothic castle and Kutná Hora with its medieval treasures are less well known, but also worth visiting.
With its beautifully preserved Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque buildings, and its famed '100 Golden Spires', Prague rivals Paris and Rome in the historic beauty stakes. Prague's centre is compact, bounded on three sides by a wide loop of the river. At its heart is Staré Mesto, the lively Old Town on the east bank of the Vltava, rich in architecture and full of restaurants, bars and nightclubs.
There's plenty of modern appeal in Prague too, lots of street art and people adding their own touches to the beauty of their surroundings.
And pretty much everywhere you go you'll be able to buy a beer - from Pilsner Urquell to regional beers and local brews, you're spoiled for choice.
Prague is a great city for walking, although almost all the streets and pavements are cobbled, so comfortable shoes are essential.
The majority of our recommendations in Prague are easily accessible on foot from all of the major attractions. Public transport is excellent and cheap, and you can use trams or buses to get to parts of the city not served by the Metro. Trams are a particularly good way to see the sights.
Uae our guide to the best places to stay in the Czech Republic and start to plan your visit.
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Prague (Petrská čtvrť)
City style with contemporary bedrooms, comfortable beds and granite bathrooms. A quiet lobby, suitable for business meetings or relaxing after a day exploring the city. Located in Prague's first district in the city centre, there are lots of restaurants and lively bars nearby.
Prague (Holešovice)
An eclectic hotel blending quirky post-modern design with minimalist chic and local artistic flair, in the vibrant Holešovice district. Guests can enjoy spacious rooms, a lively lobby with library, and a trendy bar and restaurant that draw both guests and locals. A perfect urban retreat in Prague.
