Review of Augustine, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Prague

Located in Mala Strana in the heart of the historic city of Prague, the Czech Republic’s capital, the Augustine is close to a clutch of embassies and to major attractions being just a few minutes’ walk over ancient, cobbled streets to both the Charles Bridge and to Prague Castle. Next to the property, there is the Wallenstein Garden, an Italian-style park with parading peacocks and the second largest garden in the city. 

Other city attractions include a visit to the Museum of Communism or the Lego Museum, designer shopping on Parižská Street, the most exclusive in the city or a ride up on the funicular to the Petrin Observation Tower for expansive views over the city. There is also the National Marionette Theatre with its puppet shows, a cruise along the river, a picnic at Kampa Island with its museum of modern art and tribute wall to John Lennon or simply hang out at Naplavka, considered the coolest place in Prague.

Transport wise, there are three tram lines and the metro line nearby for getting around the city, the train station is around a 20 minutes’ drive away whilst Vaclav Havel Airport Prague (PRG) is just 30 minutes away or 9.3 kilometres west. 

For local drivers, there is both valet and off-site parking available.

No two rooms are alike at the Augustine, Prague and the clean, crisp 1920’s / 30’s Czech cubist style décor cleverly complements remaining historic features with a modernist feel. The upper floors of the monastery housed the monk’s cells and the restoration to a hotel saw two or three of these rooms combined to create a more modern, spacious guest room and some interesting room shapes, most with wooden floors. The room colours are significant in that they reflect a Papal style palette paying religious homage with green, highlighted with purple or gray with orange accents, the colours of St Augustine. For that added touch of luxury, all the marble bathroom floors are heated and most have walk-in showers and an abundance of natural daylight. 

Guest rooms range in size from 35 square metres, to the deluxe at around 42 square metres. The most popular however are the Premium Castle Views on the upper floors with magnificent views of Prague Castle. Many of these rooms feature the original wooden ceiling beams. 

The colour palette changes with the 54 square metre Junior Suites into a more pastel and expansive colour scheme with custom furnishings adorning the rooms which have a feel of an artist’s studio. Czech cubist portraits hang on the walls and decorative items from the 20s/30s are found throughout the space. 

From the here on out, from the Classic Suite upwards, guests enjoy Special Suite Benefits which include complimentary breakfast, airport transfers, VIP amenities and fresh flowers.  The Classic Suites are around 50 square metres of space, all of a different layout due to the ancient monastery structure with furnishings including heavy linens and velvets mixed with curated Czech cubist contemporary pieces – the result: cool contemporary vibes. 

Moving up the categories, the Fresco Suite (67 square metres) is quite unique with frescoes dating back to the 19th century, parquet floors and a private terrace ideal for chilling in the summer months. The Monastery Suite meanwhile is another featured Signature Suite with the original vault door which protected monastic treasures now used as a unique bathroom door. The Deluxe Suites (77 square metres) offer an oasis of tranquillity from the busy city streets from the private hallways right through to the spacious living room awash with daylight. The Executive Suites (80 square metres) are on the third floor with views out over the gardens and the city from dual aspect large windows whilst guests may expect Bulgari amenities. 

Perhaps the Tower Suite is the most unusual space in that it is housed in the former astronomical tower of the monastery. Spread out over three floors, connected by a spiral staircase, there are views out over Prague from every side from the third-floor bedroom. 

The Moser Suite (117 square metres), named for the luxury Czech glass company, features a contemporary four poster bed, a walk-in closet with dressing table and a spacious dining table for entertaining. The living room features a large fireplace and examples of Moser’s hand-crafted glassware. The largest and most luxurious suite however is the perfectly proportioned Presidential Suite with views out over the Sundial Garden. Covering a space of 149 square metres, two further bedrooms can be connected to it for security personnel, larger groups or family visits. With the style of a modernist apartment, this light and airy space features a large dining room with bookshelves full of international literature, an office, a kitchen and a spacious living room. 

For those with dogs, four-legged friends under 20 kilograms are welcomed at the property.

The Augustine Spa offers a harmonious haven away from the stresses and strains of everyday city life. Offering a wide range of treatments either in the spa or in-suite, there are also scrubs, wraps, eye treatments, facials, massages and scalp and hair treatments. Signature treatments include the Monastery Spa Ritual, a restful two-hour experience from the Augustine traditional foot cleanse, to a candle back massage and a deeply cleansing facial – perfect for finding inner peace and harmony once again – and the St Thomas Beer Body Ritual using the secret recipe from the Augustinian monks. 

For relaxation, there is also a steam room and saunas. For fitness warriors, there is a small gym, complete with TechnoGym equipment and free weights with personal trainers on demand.

The Augustine, Prague has to be one of the most unique hotels in the world. Based in a former monastery, part of which is still used by Augustinian monks, this historic property has been cleverly and sensitively converted to an outstanding boutique hotel by British designer and hotelier, Olga Polizzi.  As the monastery is still partially in use, guests may experience an exclusive tour of the 14th century library, fully of ancient tomes, and visit the publicly inaccessible parts of St Thomas Church, learning about the Augustinian order in Bohemia from practicing friars. 

Now operated by The Luxury Collection, the historic elements of the property have been restored whilst the décor is contemporary Czech cubist – a clever nod to the heritage of the area. Even the colour scheme was chosen to honour the religious Augustinian order whilst other suites acknowledge the order’s monastery and astronomical tower and the famous hand-crafted glassworks of Moser. Guests can even taste the monks’ own lager, still faithful to a closely guarded 14th century recipe brewed for the hotel by micro-brewery Matuška. 

It seems in fact the perfect historic hideaway from which to explore the ancient heart of the fascinating city of Prague, ideal for those discreet low profile guests who appreciate style and substance. In fact, with impeccable service, a pampering spa and delicious cuisine, it also gives the city’s other luxury abodes a real run for their money.

There are two restaurants at the hotel - the Augustine Restaurant for all day dining and The Refectory with its barrel-vaulted, double height ceiling for casual cocktails, light bites and a pint of the heritage St Thomas Beer brewed from a 14th century recipe. There is also St Thomas Brewery Bar currently open for special events only, based in the atmospheric original cellars. 

The fine dining Augustine Restaurant is located close to the courtyard of the former monastery, spilling out onto the terrace in clement weather. Open for all day dining, Executive Chef Martin Boháček and his team work with local, seasonal and sustainable fresh ingredients, treating each with respect, and in doing so, creating nutritionally balanced and healthy meals. At the same time, each dish is tasty, has rich, intense flavours, offers a multitude of texture and is renowned for the quality of its presentation.

In the summer months of April - September, there will be Thursday barbecues in the Sundial Gardens, with live jazz by the Czech Philharmonic whilst in winter, there’s the Austro-Hungarian Feast inspired from recipes from 1905, alongside the Sunday Brunch Bubble & Chill with unlimited champagne or prosecco. Martin also creates a multi-course degustation menu for gourmands.

The Refectory meanwhile was once the monk’s own dining room. With an amazing, vaulted ceiling and a light, retro décor, locals, and guests alike meet for a tasty pint of St Thomas’ beer or one of a series of innovative cocktails. The signature tipples include the Angels’ Cocktails inspired by the four archangels depicted on the fresco ceiling.

There is also a menu of light snacks available and at the time of writing, an à la carte menu is available in the bar. During the summer months, the space extends out onto the cloister terrace.

The Augustine, Prague is keenly aware of the need to walk lightly on the earth and has a long-term sustainability strategy in place. They work with local producers and suppliers to save on their energy footprint, have energy and water saving practices in place, use recyclable and reusable products where possible thus avoiding single use plastics and they work at reducing their food waste.