Augustine Hotel, Prague: A Monastery in Malá Strana

The Buildings

The Augustine complex comprises seven separate structures — medieval townhouses, a brewery (now the bar), a convent, and the monastery church — connected by corridors, courtyards, and unexpected stairways. It sprawls across a city block in the heart of Malá Strana, a five-minute walk from the Charles Bridge. Getting lost en route to breakfast is genuinely enjoyable.

The Room

We stayed in a Monastery Suite, which occupied two floors of the original monastery building — a vaulted stone room with exposed brick, a spiral staircase to an upper mezzanine with the bedroom, and views onto the courtyard. Medieval architectural bones, Rocco Forte upholstery and linens, contemporary bathroom with rainfall shower. The combination is not uncomfortable.

St. Thomas Bar

The bar occupies the original 14th-century brewery, and it remains — three centuries of historical discontinuity aside — a brewing concern. St. Thomas dark lager is produced on-site and served in the bar and restaurant. The brewing history of the monastery dates to 1352; the contemporary revival is entirely convincing. Order the dark lager alongside whatever you drink.

Terasa Restaurant

The rooftop restaurant and terrace look north to Prague Castle — the most demanded view in the city. The cooking is contemporary Czech with European influences: roast duck with red cabbage and potato dumplings done properly, freshwater fish from Bohemian rivers, seasonal game in autumn. The wine list leans Moravian, which is the right choice.

The Location

Malá Strana is the most beautiful of Prague's historic districts — the baroque side of the river, less crowded than the old town, more residential in character. The Augustine is within walking distance of the castle, the Charles Bridge, Petřín hill, and a collection of excellent small restaurants that tourists rarely find.

Verdict

The Augustine is the best hotel in Prague and one of the finest urban heritage hotels in Europe. The monastic setting is handled with intelligence and the quality of the restoration is exceptional.

Best for: History lovers, architecture enthusiasts, those who want to experience Prague's less-visited side Room rate: From £250 per night Tip: Book a monastery building room rather than one of the modern additions.