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A unique journey through ultimate relaxation, history and impeccable service at the Mandarin Oriental Prague
Review 18 February 2012
Housed in a former monastery, the Mandarin Oriental Prague has an ideal location in the Czech capital city for those travelling on business as well as leisure travellers, but especially for those seeking privacy and a more residential feel. The hotel is within 20 minutes-walk from the old town centre or 5 minutes by taxi.
The views from the rooms, especially those of the cobbled streets overlook the Museum of Music and a Music College as well as renaissance residential buildings, instilling an overall feeling of belonging to the community and to the neighbourhood. Some of the rooms and suites overlook the interior garden, which the hotel is currently preparing for the summer - abundant in roses and greenery, as I learned. I was told there is also a summer garden terrace, which I am sure, is a blessing in the hot months of July and August, providing an oasis in the middle of a city which can see very hot days in summer.
From the pick up at the airport, to the in-room check-in, my arrival experience was flawless. Consistent with the Mandarin Oriental chain, the Mandarin Oriental in Prague boasts the highest quality of service. The team is genuinely welcoming, caring and intuitive, anticipating every need of the guest in the most efficient and courteous manner.
I had the privilege to stay in the Lazar Suite, one of the signature suites of the hotel, which also hosted Dalai Lama, among many other top international celebrities. The investment in restoring the buildings which make up the hotel and its facilities is impressive! Probably the most illustrative section is the SPA, where a large glass floor covers the relics found when the building was being restored, while many of the original walls have been kept. Bathrooms are huge, made entirely of exquisit limestone (floor heating), all with separate shower and bath tub.
The impressive preservation efforts can be found throughout the entire hotel. For instance, my suite had a light coloured wooden floor, the only room with such floor in the hotel, while there were several rooms with designs elements from the times of the monastery, such as wooden painted ceilings. Even in the newly built sections, the hotel features a contemporary design which has a very distinct feel, yet perfectly blending with the style of the heritage monastery buildings.
The most memorable experience I had at the Mandarin Oriental, Prague was the SPA. I pampered myself with a ''Linden Embrace'' - a journey SPA treatment, with Nikola, a certified physiotherapist, with an amazing technique and an out-of-this-world connectivity, in terms of feeling every single muscle strain and point of tension. Having stayed at many top international luxury hotels and having experienced many top international rated SPAs, rarely have I encoutered such perfection in a treatment. Inspired by the legendary linden tree, the treatment instills a deep sense of peace, safety, and warmth. The treatment begins with a drink of the deliciously scented linden tea sweetened with honey, while the therapist learns about the needs and preferences. This is followed by a full body scrub and a gentle but thorough full body massage with heated linden poultices. You will then be wrapped in a warmed blanket while the therapist completes the experience with a relaxing scalp massage. The effect was a lightweight feel, complete relaxation and a perfect night sleep.
Oliver Petcu