Alchymist Grand Hotel & Spa, Prague

This sumptuous hotel is so grand old school it’s more like a small palace or museum than a series of rooms to stay in. The wildly baroque building that houses the Alchymist Grand Hotel is a throw back to medieval Prague, and minutes away from other attractions from that era, including Charles Bridge and the old town. Yet, set in a quiet street, the Alchymist seems to exist out of time, partly because of the modern and historical blend that runs through this boutique hotel, creating a dimension of its own.  

Underground passages that might have been spooky centuries ago now house a superb spa, steam room and a small indoor pool. Upstairs, the 49 rooms are a mix of size and style, accommodating age-old legacies. There are gilded pillars, four poster beds and antique pieces, painted ceilings and bathrooms are masterpieces of marble. 

The café and restaurant are just as lavishly elegant, the former serving exquisite pastries best enjoyed in the tranquil courtyard, the latter, international and local classics. Chandeliers, crystal, massive mirrors add to the lustre that lines this central but serene space, and service is first class too.