Casa Marcello - Prague, Czech Republic     

I booked the Casa Marcello from a website and found quite positive reviews on Trip Advisor, so we gave it a go. We stayed five nights. On the postive side, it is a four star hotel in only five minutes walk from Prague's Old Square, and ten minutes walk to Wenszcelas square. The rooms were very clean and the staff tried to be as helpful as possible. My disappointment was with the standard of the a double room, some of the services and fit out I would expect from a four star hotel. We had booked a double room and when we checked in my heart sank as we were shown a very basic double room. My husband was in Prague for business and there was not even a desk in the room where he could set up his laptop. Internet access was indicated, but in reality it was non-existent as the instructions given by staff did not work despite our repeated efforts. The room also had a damp musty smell about it, and I wondered if it had been used for sometime, it certainly needed to be aired. When I queried the absence of a desk we were shown to a junior suite. This was another world, a large bath, separate bedroom and that elusive workspace. We agreed to move and were much happier, but they charged us significantly more for facilities I would have expected in the basic double room of a four star rated hotel. The only thing about the room that annoyed us was that the curtains were really thin and flimsy so there was no hope of sleeping past sunrise, which at the end of May was early. The other area of service that I found a bit annoying was that the hotel would not let us put things on our room tab, such as drinks we consumed in the lovely garden, pay cash as you go, or day tours, which the hotel we stayed at in Budapest, also a four star only too happily agreed to do. There was also no tea or coffee making facilities in the room, something we found in other four star rated hotels in central Europe. On balance I would stay there again if I got stuck, but there must be better value in the same location, where you don't have to pay for a suite. Some other reviewers complained about stairs, these didn't worry us - so I guess we all have our own preferences. Nearby Dhoula street provided many good restaurants and was where we enjoyed our morning coffee at 'Coffee Fellows', two minutes walk away. (coffee at the hotel 's breakfast was undrinkable- rest of breakfast was Ok). We also enjoyed Chez Marcel as other reviewers did. I can recommend a day trip to Terezin, very moving but worthwhile.

We enjoyed our stay at the Casa Marcello for 3 nights. On arrival the guy in reception was most helpful and carried our bag upstairs. We were disappointed to be on the top floor as there were several stairs to climb. (no lift) Pictures of the hotel seem to show it only being two floors high, this is true but you could still do with a lift as it is many flights to the top! The room was a twin and we booked a double but all this was sorted the next day when we moved to the 1st floor and got a double room. Towels are changed each day and the rooms were constantly warm with plenty of hot water. The cleanliness of the hotel could not be faulted. The staff were very pleasant. The breakfasts gave a good start to the day. Plenty to choose from and apart from the usual continental there is self serve bacon egg and sausage. They were only too pleased to cook 2 fresh eggs when we wanted more. Don't be afaid to ask! There are no tea making facilities in the room so I suggest if you like your early morning cuppa take a travel kettle. The hotel is tucked away from any hub-bub yet close enough to all the Prague attractions by foot. We found a gem of a Restaurant just across the road from the hotel called CHEZ MARCEL..the food was exceptional, wouldn't get better in a quality London restaurant but so cheap. We thought they had made a mistake, half the price we had been paying in other places. TRY IT. We took the train to Karlstejn Castle only to find it was closed on a Monday. The journey took an hour and it was good to view the countryside around Prague. The Castle is set in a lovely location. All this for ?4 each return. Of course there would have been an entrance fee to the Castle.