Prague (Praha) Staré Město

Old Prague Hostel, Benedikstská 2 (☎224 829 058; www.oldpraguehostel.com), Run by the same guys as Prague Square hostel, Old Prague just has a homier, more welcoming feeling to it. Perhaps because an old-school, exposed elevator services the hostel's five stories, but either way, Old Prague does a few things better than its sister hostel. Perhaps most importantly, its desk sells beer in addition to soft drinks. Common areas also have flatscreen TVs and comfortable couches. Rooms are nice and roomy. Beds sit a little close to the ground, and some of the rooms have mental-asylum padded doors, but the brightly colored artwork keeps the experience interesting. B: Náměstí Republiky. From the station, walk north on Revoluční. Take a left on Dlouhá and another quick left onto Benedikstská. Non-smoking. Breakfast, towels, linens, lockers, adapters, irons, and hair dryers included. Wi-Fi available on the mezzanine and in the common area. Key deposit 100Kč. 8-bed dorms 295-430Kč; 4-bed dorms 431-539Kč; doubles 539-700Kč. Reception 24hr. Check-in 2pm. Check-out 10am. Does not take credit cards. Wheelchair access. Serves alcohol.
Prague Square Hostel, Melantrichova 10 (☎224 240 859; www.praguesquarehostel.com), A well-kept joint in a well-frequented part of town, Prague Square Hostel is uncommonly generous with travel amenities. Unfortunately, it also suffers from some typical Old Town maladies. No laundry service and a sparsely stocked desk store mean travelers are on their own. The rooms are clean, if at times a bit small and the sheets are strangely, but cheerfully, colorful. A or B: Můstek. From the station, head north on na Můstku and continue on it as it turns into Melantrichova. The hostel will be on your right. Non-smoking. Hair dryers, irons, adapters, towels, linens, lockers, and breakfast (8am-10am) included. Free computer access and Wi-Fi in common spaces. 8-bed dorms 300-450Kč; 4-bed 300-530Kč. Singles 645-750Kč; doubles 950-1250Kč. Reception 24hr. Check-in 2pm. Check-out 10am. Does not take credit cards. Wheelchair access.
Traveller's Hostel, Dlouhá 33 (☎224 826 662; www.travellers.cz), Travelers staying in Prague for more than a week should consider this slightly dated hostel, where every seventh night comes free of charge. Rooms can be small and it gets oppressively hot on the top floor. The hostel has a cheap 24hr. laundry service (150Kč), though no self service. C: Náměstí Republiky. From the station, walk north along Revoluční. Take a left at Dlouhá. The hostel will be on your right. Smoking only permitted in dining room. Breakfast included. Third floor absinthe bar; beer and soft drinks can be purchased from the front desk. Computer access available in the front lobby. Free Wi-Fi accessible on the 3rd fl. Key deposit 200Kč. Dorms 350Kč; 4-bed rooms 500Kč; singles 1190-1390Kč; doubles 690-800Kč; apartments 2250-2550Kč (2-4 beds). ISIC/IYHF card holders recieve 40Kč discount. Reception 24hr. Check-in 1pm. Check-out 10am. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access.
Hostel Týn, Týnská 19 (☎224 828 519; www.hosteltyn.com), Hostel Týn's digs grow some some fine deals, even if they are sometimes rough around the hedges. The downstairs common and kitchen spaces seem like they might have been designed by your grandpa, but they're kept very clean. Bad news is the downstairs closes at 2am; good news is depending on how charming you are, this time is negotiable. Týn's perks (no bunks and large rooms) offset Týn's faults (no breakfast or laundry). B: Náměstí Republiky. From the station, head south to U Prašná Brány and follow it as it becomes Celetná. Continue towards the river, then take a right at Štupartská and a left onto Týnská. Follow Týnská as it winds around. The hotel will be on your right. Non-smoking. Wi-Fi accessible in common spaces. Towels and lockers included. Dorms 300-400Kč; doubles 1000Kč; triples 1200Kč. Reception 24hr. Check-out 10am. Takes credit cards. No wheelchair access. Serves alcohol.
Ritchie's Hotel and Hostel, 12 Karlova (☎222 221 229; www.ritchieshostel.cz), Ritchie's excellent location and reasonable prices come at the expense of luxury. Untidy carpets that pay tribute to the '80s match the age of the computers in the lobby. The general gloom of the place isn't helped by the photos of drifters plastered on the walls. But if you're okay with a little grit, some torn carpets, and a warm top floor, Ritchie's can be a deal. The reception desk carries soap, toothpaste, and other essentials like beer and candy. Kichen proves to be the only good hangout spot. A: Staroméstka. From the station, head down Křižovnická directly along the river. At the Charles bridge, turn left at Karlova. The hostel will be on your left, through a gallery. Linens and towels included. Breakfast 90Kč. Lockers 30Kč per day. Luggage room 100Kč deposit. Self-service laundry 140Kč; no dryer. Women dorms available. Dorms 330-420Kč. Singles 1380-1200Kč; doubles 1200-900Kč. ISIC holders get a 5% discount. Credit card users charged a 3% fee. Reception 24hr. Check-in 1pm. Check-out 11am. Kitchen access 8am-1am. Takes credit cards. No wheelchair access. Serves alcohol.
Hostel Apple, Králodvorská 16 (☎224 231 050; www.applehostel.cz), While very few Old Town hostels would satisfy the Queen of England, Hostel Apple is dubious even for commoners. Several doors—most notably in bathrooms—have holes in them, and some of the beds have wire frames with only flimsy mattresses. Paint peels from many a dirty wall, but none of this really detracts from the hostel experience. More heinous is the information set up: Apple offers no Wi-Fi, and the only computer available (1Kč per min) is as archaic as an original Apple. Clean bathrooms, a hearty breakfast, plus the spacious rooms might make up for the common area and kitchen closing at midnight. B: Náměstí Republiky. From the station, walk north on Revoluční then loop around onto Králodvorská. The hostel is on the 2nd floor of the building. Breakfast, linens, and towels included. Full-service laundry 150Kč. Safety deposit boxes 200Kč deposit. Free luggage storage. Dorms 330-380Kč. Singles 890-990Kč; doubles 1200Kč; quads around 2000Kč per bed. ISIC Card holders receive a 10% discount. Key requires 200Kč deposit or some item of value. Reception 24hr. Check-in 2pm. Check-out 10am. Takes credit cards. No wheelchair access.
Apartments Bartoloměj, Bartolomějská 3 (☎608 712 854; www.pension-apartment.cz), B: Národní třída. From the metro, take Národní toward the river and then turn right on Karoliny Svétlé and veer right on Bartolomějská. Apartment-style suites for students who are tired of common bathrooms and kitchens. Large, clean bathrooms and pleasant furniture come at the cost of no internet, though several cafes are in the vicinity. Reception 9am-8pm. Check-in 3pm. Check-out 10am. Singles from 800Kč