Please note that there are 2 crowne plaza hotels in Prague. One is near Prague castle, and the other is located in the area of the Dejvicka metro station. This review is for the latter.

Before starting onto the review itself, it's worth mentioning that the hotel itself is a historical building, as it is a classic example of Stalinist architecture. It was built in the early 1950's in the same form and style as the Moscow State University & the "Seven Sisters" skyscrapers in Moscow. Architectural copies of these original buildings in Moscow were built all over central and eastern Europe as "Soviet gifts" but were in reality a symbol of communist hegemony in these countries. Apart from Prague, you can find copies of these buildings in cities like Warsaw, Riga, Budapest and so forth. The building in Prague still has a large red Soviet star at the very top but it is difficult to see as it has been turned to its side (either intentionally by the hotel, or unintentionally by the wind). Most hammer and sickle symbols have been removed but you can still find some socialist paintings of farmers on the first floor (near the restaurant entrance). Staying as a guest in a place like this gives you a good idea of how the communist party bosses and elite lived, in comparison to the endless dull grey concrete social housing in city suburbs which most normal people were confined to. Also, I found it extremely ironic that above the main entrance to a 4 star "bourgeois" hotel, there still are reliefs carved in stone of "happy and proud socialist workers". (See the photo I attached above).

LOCATION:

Many people who have posted reviews about this hotel complained about the location but we did not find this to be a problem. Your main point of reference should be the DEJVICKA metro (underground, subway) station which is the final northern stop on the A line (green colour).

Just outside the metro station you can take tram number 8 (make sure you don't get another number) which runs down "Jugoslavskych partyzanu" street, only 2 stops, to and from the hotel. The tram stop outside Dejvicka metro station is on "Svatovitska" street (you may need to use the metro underpass to get to tram stop if you're on the other side of the road) The tram's final stop in right in front of the hotel where it turns in a circle, stops, and goes out again 15 min later. Distance between the Dejvicka metro station and the hotel is only 2 tram stops or 10 to 15 min walking along "Jugoslavskych partyzanu" street (it is 2 LONG tram stops). While you can easily walk this distance I wouldn't recommend it if you've just arriving/leaving and have got luggage or it's raining, but for all other times it's fine.

If you're arriving or leaving by plane, the hotel is also in a good location because the cheap public transport bus, number 119, goes directly from the Dejvicka metro station to and from the airport in 20 minutes. Same exact ticket (and same price) as on the metro and trams.

From the metro station its only 3 direct stops (about 5 minutes) to the old town centre (Staromestska metro station). So you can make it from the hotel to the centre in about 20 minutes or less. The hotel reception sells public transport tickets (at the same price as all over town) and in case they run out a small kiosk by the tram station outside the hotel that also sells them during daylight hours.

(I wouldn't recommend buying a day ticket or a 3 day ticket unless you're going and coming back to the hotel more than 2 times in day as single trips are cheaper in the short run.)

Another advantage to the location is that it's very quiet and you will not be woken up by any noise on the streets.

On the downside there aren't many restaurants or places to wander around but as the metro runs until midnight, it shouldn't be a problem getting back after dinner unless you stay out late in which case you'll have to get night buses (trams?) or a taxi. Also, the hotel has a bar open till very late.

GENERAL NOTES ON THE HOTEL

-All common areas look lovely - polished marble and restored 1950's decor. One detail I found very posh and classy was the fact that you could find the hotel logo imprinted in the sand in the standing ashtrays in the lobby. (See the photos I attached above).

-If you're lucky you can get a room with a (distant) view of Prague castle.

-Very nice bathroom amenities

-I cannot comment on breakfast as it was not included in our rate and it cost 16 Euro per person which I thought was too expensive

-The electricity in the room can only be activated by leaving your room key in a slot near the door

-Rooms are very clean and bright

-Staff were helpful and fulfilled all our requests


COMPLAINTS:

We didn't really experience any real problems during our stay, however a few things could use some improvement, such as:

-The so called "business centre" is in reality an empty room with ONE computer with free internet access and printer. While I give them full marks for making the internet access free having only one public computer for a 4 star hotel with hundreds of rooms is not adequate at all.

-While our room was always cleaned to a good standard, certain things seemed to be missed...like the dead fly caught in a spider web above our window (which was hanging there from arrival to departure) and the orange juice I accidentally spilled my bedcovers.

-When shovelling ice from the ice machines into your container it makes a lot of noise. I would hate to be the guests in the room that was right next to machine. I hope that room is sound proof or they'll be hearing that all the time!


CONCLUSION:

We can wholeheartedly recommend this hotel and had a good time staying here. The only thing that I'd really keep an eye on is the rate they may quote you on their website. Always make sure you're paying LESS than other hotels of the same standard which are much closer to the center.

I was a bit skeptical from reading previous reviews about this hotel. When I arrived, it was nothing but a pleasant experience. The front desk staff were courteous and professional. I arrived in the early morning from an overseas flight, way before the check-in time; and they immmediately offered me a room key.
The room was quite large, especially on the European scale. It was a suite with a sitting area and rather large bathroom. Windows looked over the streets below and there was a view of the castle. The room was a bit dated in decor but extremely clean.
The bed was extremely comfortable and it was very quiet.
The food in the dining room was good. The breakfast buffet was your typical hotel chain style. The service was excellent.
The lounge was a nice place to relax just off the lobby. There was a piano player each evening.
The concierge was very accomodating in providing directions and offering suggested tours and concerts.
Location, location, location. OK, so it wasn't in the city center. But don't let that distract you. The tram stopped right out front of the hotel and you were in the city center in less than 10 minutes. Public transportation is very affordable and reliable. I took the bus to the airport and was there in 20 minutes! I ended up walking downtown several times, a good way to see the city.
Prague is quickly catching up with the rest of Europe. Prices have risen and they are catching on to all the tourism
scams. But it is still a charming old world city to enjoy.

My wife and I stayed here for a weekend. Very nice hotel with good food and good service. Very impressive building indeed. We were upgraded to a suite on the 11th floor, with lovely views to Prague Castle. We had dinner there when we arrived on the Friday and the food/service was very good. Breakfast is also very good, but be careful to check times for the weekend. Some guests arrived at 10.45am on Sunday, only to be told that breakfast ended at 10.30am due to the need to prepare the dining room for a lunch function. However, they did allow the guests to help themselves to whatever the staff hadn't managed to clear away by then.

One problem we had on the first night was the heating system. The air conditioning is turned off at this time of year and the central heating system can't be regulated in the room. Our room was like a sauna! A technician came the following day and disconnected our radiator for the remainder of our stay.

Many reviewers have referred to the location of the hotel as a down-side. Yes, it would be ideal if it was in the centre of old Prague, but it is not such an inconvenient location. The tram is regular and cheap, and the metro connection from Devijcka is also good. My wife and I actually walked it to the centre a couple of times. Don't let the location thing put you off.

Stayed at this hotel from October 12 to October 15 as part of a Trafalger Tour. This hotel is definitely NOT close to anything. In order to get into the City, you need to take the Tram No. 8 which is right in front of the hotel. We had already been there for 2 days at another hotel so it was a dissapointment not to be able to be close to the city center.

The hotel itself is nice. Typical 4 star hotel with good breakfast. There are tons of places to stay in Prague. If you are going to be there for a short time, it is not worth staying so far away from the City Center. If you don't mind the tram or train stations, then this hotel will be fine.