Augustine, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Prague: Stay in the Heart of History

Just Steps from Prague's Treasures

The Augustine, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Prague enjoys a prime location at the foot of the historic Malá Strana district, offering both centrality and tranquility. Hidden behind discreet walls, it is only a few minutes' walk from Charles Bridge, the Vltava River, and Wallenstein Garden, a true haven of greenery. Prague Castle is just a short uphill stroll away, while Kampa Island, the Franz Kafka Museum, and St. Nicholas Church are close by. Well served by tram lines and the Malostranská metro station, the hotel offers easy access to the city's other districts, while taking advantage of the boutiques, cafés, and restaurants that enliven the surroundings.

A 13th-Century Monastery Reinvented as a Luxury Hotel

This five-star hotel is intimately linked to the city's spiritual and cultural history. Set within a former 13th-century Augustinian monastery, still home to a small community of monks, the hotel offers a unique immersion into a living heritage. Red-roofed buildings, stone arches, and preserved frescoes bear witness to centuries of history, while exclusive visits to the monastery library and the baroque St. Thomas Church allow guests to uncover the secrets of this exceptional place.

The hotel encompasses seven historic buildings, forming a maze of courtyards and passages steeped in memory. Its transformation, led by British designer Olga Polizzi, preserved the soul of the site while infusing it with contemporary elegance. The original monastic austerity harmoniously blends with Cubist and Modernist influences: gray marble floors, clean geometric lines, and rich tones of papal purple, red, and orange, punctuated by delicate greens.

In the common areas, black-and-white photographs of current monks remind visitors that monastic life continues, away from the urban bustle. The central garden, a peaceful green haven, is open to both guests and the public, offering a space of serenity in the heart of Prague. This alchemy of tradition, art, and comfort reflects Olga Polizzi's vision: to create a timeless place where every detail tells a story, and where the lodging experience becomes a true journey through time.

The Tower Suite: Unmatched Panorama over Prague

Augustine Prague features 101 uniquely characterful rooms and suites. Each reflects a harmonious balance between historical heritage and contemporary comfort, combining the charm of period elements — vaulted ceilings, exposed beams, old doors with wrought iron — with design inspired by early 20th-century Czech Cubism.

The rooms feature solid wood parquet floors, rich and warm fabrics, geometric furniture inspired by Pavel Janák and Adolf Loos, as well as marble bathrooms with heated floors and deep bathtubs. Some preserve ancient frescoes or stone arches, recalling their monastic past, and several have been created from two or three former monks' cells. No two rooms are alike, but all share the same soothing atmosphere where discreet luxury meets centuries of history.

The suites, including six signature ones, embody the culmination of this blend of authenticity and modernity. Spacious and filled with light, they reveal breathtaking views of Prague Castle, the red rooftops of Malá Strana, or the adjoining baroque church. Custom-made furniture, noble materials, and decorative details evoke serenity and spirituality while offering five-star comfort worthy of Europe's greatest hotels.

Among these jewels, the Tower Suite, where we had the privilege of staying, holds a place of distinction. Nestled in the monastery's former astrological tower, it stands out as one of Augustine's most spectacular accommodations — and without doubt among the most remarkable suites in the entire city. Spread over three floors connected by a spiral staircase, it offers an unparalleled 360° panorama of Prague. The first floor features an intimate living room; the second houses a vast marble bathroom, a true sanctuary of relaxation; and the top level, dedicated to the bedroom, seems suspended above Malá Strana's rooftops. Staying in the Tower Suite means living a rare experience, where every view embraces Prague's history and timeless beauty.

Morning Flavors Between Elegance and Indulgence

Breakfast at the Augustine is enjoyed in the main restaurant, in an elegant, hushed atmosphere. Served as a refined and deliberately limited buffet, it offers fresh bread, golden pastries, cereals, and homemade sweets. To this is added a generous à la carte menu, offering a wide choice of freshly prepared dishes: eggs Benedict, fluffy omelets, French toast, or light and crispy waffles. Attentive service and quality ingredients turn this morning ritual into a true gastronomic experience.

From Fine Dining to Ancestral Flavors

The Augustine, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Prague, offers guests an exceptional culinary journey across several uniquely characterful venues. At the heart of the hotel, the Augustine Restaurant combines the light and elegance of a contemporary setting with the historic soul of the place. Under the direction of Chef Jan Horák, the menu blends French inspirations with Bohemian tradition, reinterpreting Czech cuisine with creativity and lightness. Fresh, seasonal ingredients, often sourced from the hotel's garden, are transformed into plates as beautiful as they are delicious. The space, bathed in light thanks to large bay windows overlooking a verdant terrace, lends itself to every occasion, from refined lunches to summer dinners punctuated with barbecues and jazz concerts.

In the evening, the Refectory Bar, set in the former monks' refectory, transforms into a place of theatrical charm. Beneath its vaulted ceiling adorned with 19th-century frescoes, it offers a menu of signature cocktails inspired by the four archangels — Gabriel, Raphael, Jophiel, and Michael — enhanced with fresh herbs from the garden. Beer lovers can discover St. Thomas, first brewed by the monks in 1352 and today recreated by a local microbrewery following the original recipe.

For a more intimate experience, head to the St. Thomas Brewery, the monastery's former brewery, where medieval brewing tradition is revived in a striking setting that combines baroque frescoes, exposed stone, and contemporary details. In this authentic vaulted cellar, guests can taste the famous St. Thomas dark beer alongside a selection of wines, spirits, and dishes inspired by Czech gastronomy. The venue, accessible from the street, attracts both travelers seeking authenticity and neighborhood locals.

Finally, when the weather permits, the Sundial Garden reveals itself as one of Prague's best-kept secrets. This peaceful garden, away from the city's hustle, is the perfect spot for savoring a morning coffee, a light lunch, or a romantic dinner under the stars. Here, the timeless charm of history blends with the Prague art of living, offering guests an unforgettable setting where every meal becomes a cherished moment.

Our Exceptional Dinner at the Heart of the Augustine Restaurant

Our dinner at the Augustine Restaurant was a true celebration of flavors, elevated by an elegant, hushed setting where the history of the place intertwined with the contemporary creativity of Chef Jan Horák. For starters, my husband chose roasted daikon, accompanied by a silky parsley root purée, brightened with a touch of sour cream and enhanced with a delicately flavored tomato-olive sauce. For my part, I opted for a scallop carpaccio of exquisite freshness, served with salt-crusted kohlrabi, thin slices of beef speck, a hint of bottarga, and a pea sauce that added a lovely liveliness to the dish.

For the main course, my husband indulged in a beef fillet Rossini, served over mashed potatoes, accompanied by creamy spinach, topped with seared foie gras, and perfumed with fresh truffle — a marriage of textures and flavors worthy of the finest tables. As for me, I savored a superb farmhouse lamb leg “Maso z lúky”, delicately grilled, resting on a watercress purée, paired with baked potato mousse infused with bone marrow, all draped in a lamb sauce of remarkable aromatic depth.

The meal ended on a sweet note, as refined as it was original. My husband enjoyed tapioca pudding with coconut milk, accompanied by poached rhubarb, hibiscus jelly, and wild strawberry sorbet — a blend of sweetness and freshness. As for me, I succumbed to the lightness of a matcha tea mousse, served with spinach sponge cake, spicy mango salsa, and cucumber–elderflower sorbet — a bold, balanced, and wonderfully refreshing dessert.

A Spa That Invites Inner Journey

Located beneath the hotel, the Augustine Spa is a sanctuary of well-being where refinement meets monastic heritage. In a hushed atmosphere, it offers a wide range of treatments, from soothing massages to regenerating wraps, including scrubs made from natural ingredients. The wellness area also includes a sauna, a hammam, a steam bath, and a fully equipped fitness room — ideal for recharging or working out. Although particularly tempting, we unfortunately did not have the chance to experience this space during our stay.

My Review

My stay at the Augustine Hotel was far more than a luxurious interlude in the heart of Prague. I found there a unique alliance between historical heritage and contemporary comfort, in a setting where every detail seems designed to awaken the senses and soothe the spirit. The unforgettable panoramas of the Tower Suite, the finesse of the dishes, the serenity of the gardens, and the richness of the history-laden buildings composed a journey both intimate and grand. I leave with the feeling of having lived a rare experience, where the art of hospitality merges with the art of living.

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Practical Information

Many thanks to the Augustine, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Prague for the invitation to discover their establishment. Of course, I remain free in my opinions expressed in this article!