Prague is Eastern Europe’s crown jewel. The city is known for its architectural beauty, its breath-taking forests and mountainsides, its museums, theatrical, and musical attractions, and its rich heritage. Prague was founded in the Romanesque age, more than 1,000 years ago. During the medieval and early modern periods the city was a flourishing cultural center and political power. It has never stopped adding to its repertoire of achievements; cultural and otherwise. It’s no wonder, then, that Prague is the sixth most visited city in Europe.

When in Prague you'll notice that prices are very reasonable, but that doesn't mean you can't live the fine life there. On the contrary, the city has many luxuries to offer. The following are 5 star retreats that pamper its clients as other luxury hotels across Europe do. Each one is not far from Prague’s main attractions and captures the city’s beauty in its own way. All prices associated to the hotels are starting prices only for one night.

10. Hotel Paris: $160 

Don’t be fooled by the starting rate quoted above. Hotel Paris in the Old Town of Prague is a state of the art luxury retreat with the best hospitality the city has to offer. On the outside the building looks like a Bohemian castle, but it actually dates back to 1904.

Hotel Paris is an epitome of Prague’s contribution to the Art Nouveau movement. It boasts the famous Sarah Bernhardt restaurant, a glittering blue and yellow hothouse of mosaic, glass, crystal, exotic statuary and original paintings; as well as many authentic pictures and sculptures from the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. One of its suites is actually named after the great Art Nouveau master Gustave Klimt.

Hotel Paris has 86 rooms. Guests have a choice of a variety of elite interiors, each with its own style: 48 deluxe suites, 22 executive suites, and three apartments. A spa, sauna, cabanas, along with modern amenities make the Hotel Paris an ideal place to choose for a trip to Prague.

9. InterContinental Praha: $180

This luxury hotel has the best position in downtown Prague. It overlooks the historical city center and stands just a few blocks from the Old Town Square, the Old Town Astronomical Clock, Charles Bridge and the Jewish Quarter.

372 rooms are quiet havens where guests can relax. Everyone has access to the hotel’s top of the line salt water swimming pool, sauna, gym and treatment rooms. The rooftop

restaurant Zlata Praha is one of Prague’s top places to dine.

The InterContinental is also a premier business hotel, with many meeting/function rooms and the largest conference hall in Prague.

8. Hotel General: $189

The Hotel General boasts the flavor of Prague’s modern military history. It’s a general’s hotel, but it’s décor is that of a fine villa. The whole building is embellished with marble, crystal chandeliers, red, black, gold and white furnishings. There are French balconies and bay windows in different suites, large marble bathrooms equipped with rainfall showers and hydro-massage tubs, a gourmet restaurant, bar, and sauna complex.

7. Boscolo Prague Hotel: $200

The Boscolo is Prague’s most luxurious hotel. Its neo-classical exterior consists of double registers, pilasters, stone carvings and statues, and two porticos. The hotel’s interior features classical rooms, like the Grand Lounge and the New York Café, as well as modern spaces (i.e. the gourmet Box Block Restaurant) with glass walls and metal fixtures.

The hotel has an indoor pool with an oceanic aqua mosaic floor, a sauna, spa and Turkish bath. All 152 rooms, junior and deluxe suites, are outfitted with Old World furniture, crystal chandeliers, and luxury bedding with original nineteenth-century headboards. Some of the rooms have balconies that afford beautiful views of Prague’s main attractions.

All rooms have a marble bathroom with tub and shower, in addition to a full array of modern amenities. The Boscolo has more than one gourmet bar, a variety of lounge rooms, plus grand ballrooms for weddings and conferences.

6. Hotel Le Palais: $210

Hotel Le Palais is another 5 star hotel close to the city’s main attractions. The outside is heavily neo-classical, while the interior mixes modern and Belle Epoque styles (the hotel was built in 1897).

Le Palais boasts 60 rooms and 12 suites with full bathrooms. Le Palais has an exclusive conference room, a library with fireplace, and the gourmet Restaurant Le Papillon, which serves a variety of European cuisines. Plus, guests can indulge at the wellness center’s spa/sauna, fitness facility, and solarium, and beauty salon.

5. Grand Hotel Pupp: $220

Grand Hotel Pupp is one of Europe’s oldest retreats: it dates back to 1701. The majestic exterior looks like a rippling ivory carving. Inside, all four floors dazzle the eye with crystal chandeliers, stucco ceiling and wall ornamentation, mahogany furniture, etc. Pupp has 226 rooms and 46 suites, all linked to spacious marble bathrooms.

The hotel is known for its enormous rococo concert hall, which doubles as a function room. Plus, Grandrestaurant Pupp is one of the best places to find gourmet European cuisine. Guests have access to several bars, a spa, casino club, golfing grounds, and a variety of lounge rooms.

4. Chateau Mcely: $252

This beautiful chateau is less than an hour’s drive from Prague’s main city attractions. It’s the only hotel of its kind located in the Czech countryside. Ideal for romantic getaways, wedding, and family vacations, the Chateau Mcely has 1200 acres of surrounding forest, 60 acres of lakes and ponds and all types of sports to play outdoors (golfing, swimming, etc.).

Each of the 24 bedrooms and suites has a different décor (regular clients can request a room of their choice), but they're all fashioned in Old World style to complement the chateau’s general style and pastoral setting.

Chateau Mcely is known for its fine Bohemian cuisine and forest dishes. It also serves a variety of other European foods, and caters to vegetarians. There’s a fine wine room, a spa and an outdoor pool. Plus, modern amenities (internet access, T.V., etc.) make it easy to connect to life in the city.

3. Four Seasons Hotel: $300

The Four Seasons comprises four structures: the “modern building,” the “classical building,” the “Renaissance building,” and the “Baroque building”, each of which houses grand suites and rooms in their respective period style. There is a total of 182 compartments.

The hotel, which is entirely decorated in luxurious Old World style, is located in the Old Town of Prague; so guests have gorgeous views of renowned monuments, like the Charles Bridge and Prague Castle.

There are also outdoor terraces and manicured gardens, which set the hotel complex off from surrounding buildings.

Guests have access to a spa facility, indoor and outdoor/terrace gourmet dining, numerous conference and party rooms, and many modern amenities.

2. Aria Hotel Prague: $300

If you’re looking for an authentic Bohemian experience, then Aria Hotel is for you. Its quaint red rooftops and white façade capture the flavor of Old Prague. An upper level terrace/walkway with Italianate statues, and lush topiary gardens add to Aria’s bright, Old World charm. As indicated in the picture above, the hotel complex has a variety of vantage points to view the city beyond.

This 5 star sensation pays homage to the city’s musical achievements. Italian mosaics throughout the main building depict the Gregorian chant, while pictures of famous musicians grace the interior. Each of its 52 rooms and 24 suites have a flat screen computer equipped with the biography of a featured composer, or artist, as well as an iPod with music by 52 composers.

The Coda restaurant is one of the finest places to dine in Prague. It has an Art Deco interior and a rooftop terrace view of the city. Guests also have access to a spa and fitness center.

1. Alchymist Grand Hotel: $328

The Alchymist Hotel stands only a few steps from Prague Castle. Its massive entrance hall, shown above, is vaulted in stone, and accented with iron grails. The hotel’s 46 rooms and 19 suites are, likewise, decorated in castle style. Some of the rooms have original painted wooden ceilings, stucco ceilings, wooden beams, marble floors, crystal chandeliers and four poster beds. Several suites are two-level. All bathrooms are spacious and outfitted in marble.

The Alchymist is home to the famous Aquarius Restaurant, which serves French, Italian and authentic Czech food and wine.

The Lobby Bar serves world famous whiskeys and other fine spirits. Guests also have access to the famous Café Barocco Veneziano, which is outfitted in stucco and original paintings that remind one of Casanova’s influence.