video & article by Yaroslav Kofman

Stay in the heart of old world charm and splendor in a refreshingly elegant boutique hotel. Hotel Maximilian, a small luxury hotel designed by famed Czech Designer by Eva Jiricna is a gem within old town Prague. It’s light and airy design contrasts its baroque and medieval surrounding architecture. The heavy use of glass throughout the hotel creates a feeling of transparency and space.

Warm hospitality has always been the signature of this boutique luxury hotel. For visitors that would like an extra companion during their stay, Hotel Maximilian offers a pet gold fish. It is their fine attention to detail, that makes for such a warm and welcoming experience in Prague. In the evening, enjoy an assortment of drinks from the fully stocked honesty bar, before a night on the town. It is conveniently located within minutes of the old town, and what has been the life and heart of Prague for over 700 years.

An ultra modern architectural gem, elements of the hotels form are well seen in the common areas such as the spacious lobby, library and business center. The breakfast area, with its translucent glass ceilings, is a space that is bursting with light. Enjoy a full complimentary breakfast in fine European style of delicious cold cuts, sausages, eggs, potatoes among a wide variety of fruits and cereals.

Click here to view the embedded video.

This hip and trendy boutique hotel introduces a refreshing way to start each morning–a morning jog with hotel guests. Its a great way to exercise and get an up close and personal view of a pristine city from another age. The beautiful Medieval, Baroque, and Renaissance architecture can be thoroughly enjoyed in the early morning light before the city truly wakes.

For more information, please visit:

http://www.maximilianhotel.com/

directed by Yaroslav Kofman
photography and article by David C Lee

Hotel Josef lies in the center of one of the most beautiful cities in the world, Prague. While Prague is known for its medieval architecture, Hotel Josef features an ultra-modern mystique that makes you feel like you have entered the future.

Renowned Czech Designer Eva Jiricna brings a light airy atmosphere to the main hotel lobby.  Jiricna is best known for transforming ordinary shops into innovative spaces of art.  She is a master of creating elegant places for luxury shopping and has a unique style that combines transparency with structure.

In the main lobby, almost everything is white from the floor to the ceiling and chairs.  The main focal point of the room is the circular spiral staircase that sits in the middle of the room.  It is surrounded by the main bar, check in desk and hotel lounge.

Have a seat in the lounge, have a cocktail or two and you will see the hip and trendy world-travelers come through the main entrance of the hotel.  While sitting in the lobby, you feel like you are on top of the world in cloud 9. Though the interior is white, the accents of bright light from the ceiling and lit bar bring inspiration and and relaxation.

The main bar

Breakfast restaurant–feast on cold cuts, fresh orange juice and a variety of menu items; order the scrambled eggs which are served in a short cylindrical formation on a light thin slice of bread

Rooms are bright, quaint with a tinge of bright orange

for more information visit www.hoteljosef.com

Click here to view the embedded video.

directed by Yaroslav Kofman

Stay in the heart of Opulence

The hotel is conveniently located on one of the most luxurious streets in the Czech Republic. Cartier, Gucci and Louis Vuitton are literally steps away from the entrance. Stroll down the street to the Astronomical Clock, Prague Castle and have a hot dog on the main center. For a night on the town, step outside the hotel and hundreds of the trendiest restaurants, clubs and bars are literally in front of your eyes.

Steps away from the Astronomical Clock.

The Club Lounge is conveniently equipped with a business center, couches and conference room. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served daily for a very reasonable daily rate. A fully stocked refrigerator of fresh juices, wine, champagne, beer and water are there at your disposal.

For breakfast, dine on lox, Thai noodles, eggs and mimosas. The friendly and rather charming staff are service oriented and utterly accommodating. They can assist you with finding information on sites, travel and virtually any question you have about the city.

Just get away from it all.

Relaxation Zone

Newly equipped Relaxation Zone is offering the best possible way how to relax after the hard day. Relaxation music, aromalamps, mineralized stone fountain will take you to the world of calm and piece.

(The Gym is conveniently located on the bottom floor next to the pool and spa.)

Stay in a room fit for a king (or queen)

The second you lay on the plush comforter, you will gently fall asleep. Sweet dreams! After a long day on the town, take a shower and slip on one of the Intercontinental robes, order room service and you are in for a real treat. Celebrities who have stayed here include Chris Rock and Anthony Hopkins. Michael Jackson rented the entire 8th floor for his HIStory tour.

Zlata Praha Restaurant

the view from Zlata

A top-floor location is only fitting for Zlatá Praha, considered by many to be Prague’s finest restaurant. In a magical atmosphere created by candlelight, live piano music and the cityscape below, Czech and international dishes are served.

Primator Restaurant

Primator Restaurant puts breakfast in the spotlight with a sumptuous buffet often called the best in town. Business people and visitors eager to start the day appreciate the fast service, while the elegant setting and views of the Vltava River are perfect for those who want to linger. An all-you-can-eat “brunch” is presented on Thursday evenings.

www.icprague.com

InterContinental Praha

Namesti Curieovych 43/5

Prague, 110 00

Czech Republic

Tel: +420 296 631 111

Fax: +420 224 811 216

Email: prague@ihg.com

The main dining room

Birds of paradise and traditional southeast Asian statues sit in the middle of a sea of candles. Rectangular shaped candlelit lanterns lay on the floor next to exotic plants while small orchids sit on individual tables. Red light and flickering blown glass candles create a zenlike energy that will fuel your conversation throughout the evening.

photography by David C Lee article by Yaroslav Kofman

private dining rooms

As you step through the halls on a red carpet, you will see gorgeous vaulted private dining rooms. Classic crossed ceilings and a square wall filled with oriental decorations bring the best of the east and west together.  The light beige color of tiles and chairs complement the warmth of the suede tapestries that hang on the chairs. The perspective view seen when looking through the hall creates a modern sense of depth an casual elegance.

The main bar

Virtually every celebrity who comes through Prague has been spotted here. It would not be surprising to see the likes of John Travolta, Pink, or Christina Aguilera sitting at the table next to you. The menu is moderately priced so you will see a crowd of foodies, locals, international travelers and businessmen.

Veal Cheeks & Prime Rib

The menu is a mix of Asian and contemporary cuisine. The restaurant prides itself on having having special cuisine promotions with exotic Asian flavors. The main menu features roast Chilean sea bass, phad Thai, and chicken tikka masala. Try the Balinese roast chicken or nasi goreng which are on he promotional indonesian menu

The Mandarin Oriental Cosmopolitan

Cocktails are sweet, fresh with subtle flavors.  Try the mandarin oriental cosmopolitan, a refreshing mix of finlandia vodka, cointreau, cranberry juice, lime and pomegranate juice. The Mandarin passion features Absolut, roses lime, orange bitter and passion fruit.

The Godfather

For more information visit http://www.mandarinoriental.com/PRAGUE/

]]> http://www.destinationluxury.com/prague/essencia/feed/ 0 http://www.destinationluxury.com/prague/villa-richter/ http://www.destinationluxury.com/prague/villa-richter/#comments Wed, 20 Jan 2010 09:09:16 +0000 admin http://www.lephantmag.com/?p=1414

After feasting your eyes on Prague castle, step through a quaint archway and enter the exclusive villa richter. As you admire the enchanting view of the city lights of Prague, you will see a fresh vineyard of newly sprouted grapes. Historically, wine was grown in the area and villa richter has recently brought back that tradition.

photography by David C Lee

Dine with a glorious view of the city.  Prague is one of the most magical places

Villa richter captures the mood of a Cinderella fairytale. You feel like you are a member of classic European aristocracy. The main dining room is a greenhouse built with medieval vaulted ceilings. Sparkling crystal grapes are intertwined and hang from the  glass ceiling. These vines look like stars as you embark on your storybook romance.

The private dining rooms are delicately furnished with traditional French décor. Classic

A tour of their cavernous wine cellar is priceless.  It was built on the original stone of the mountain and features thousands of wines.

Food is French contemporary with subtlely rich flavor. Textures blend together delicately with a light and balanced approach to fine cuisine.  Traditional elements are combined with innovative modern twists.

Quail terine with candied apple, Ginger jelly and star anise foam–sweet, smooth an playful approach

Duck foie GRAS au torchon with compressed melon and mango yolk–smooth, complex and adventurous

Irish lamb saddle with spinach, mushrooms, ricotta raviolli and bagna cauda sauce

www.villarichter.cz

Staré zámecké schody 6
118 00 Praha 1, Praha, Czech Republic
+420 257 219 079

photography and article by David C Lee

The restaurant and hotel was designed by the famed London based RPW Design which has created interiors of Ritz Carlton Hotels, Hyatt and many other luxurious hotel chains.

The main focal point of the restaurant is the magnificient red Baroque-esque glass chandelier. The Czech-designed chandelier is traditional with a modern flair that rivals those of noted artist Dale Chihuly. The custom made chandelier was built in northern Bohemia, the region renowned from 11th century for its crystal glass chandeliers.

The environment is sexy, sleek and alluring. It rivals those powerful restaurants that you would see in New York or London because of the audacious shapes and the wide spaces between the tables. Le Grill is a masculine restaurant with assertive, daring, and fashionable qualities. It is for the international movers and shakers who run the world.

Six auburn circles of light are housed in the ceiling and breath warmth and energy into the candlelit ambiance. Striking tall plush couches line the left side of the restaurant while wide striped pillows add a graphic visual accent. A floral patterned felt velvet wall serves as a plush backdrop for the center table. Paintings from contemporary artists hang on the walls which are supplied by London gallery Peter Millard & Partners.

Portions are large and every dish makes a statement.

Irish Beef Filet

Bouillabaisse “Le Grill” Soup

Once you enter the lower level, you will see 3 parallel fans sway back and forth. The uniformity is a visual sight which moves the eye to see a beautiul plethora.

Step down below to the bottom basement and you will enter a spectvular basement with rich history.  Vaulted ceilings and crossed stone arches sit above patrons as they dine on the finest Italian cuisine.  The back of the restaurant features a fresco of a family enjoying delicious pasta.

The space was orginally a horse stable that was built 500 years ago. The street entrance used to lie at the back if the restauarant Which was blocked in recent years.

Ambi is home to some of the most delicious cheeses in Prague.

Walls are decorated with black and  white photographs and bottles of wine. Noodles hang on the wall for interesting conversation. The environment is festive and lively. Families, singles and friends converse about great times and delicious food.

Ambi
Celetná 11, 110 00 Praha 1
tel.: +420 224 230 244
fax: +420 222 322 865

www.ambi.cz

photography & article by David C Lee

Bohemian chic is the only way to describe the exclusive hangout known as Radost FX. This place has been a Czech favorite for over 20 years and keeps it’s reputation for good reason. Though the venue is hidden behind a rundown 70s complex, stepping foot into the space transports you to one of the most eclectic artsy places you will ever see.

Classic baroque chandeliers hang from the ceiling while large gaudy mirrors decorate the walls. Rows of square mirrors line the walls and the color green shines throughout the main bar. The handmade furniture is rich with floral prints.

Step into the second bar room and you will notice an enormous mirrored star sculpture over head. Sharp lines and circles shoot from the center to the end of the walls. This room is pink and the contrast of green brings a psychedellic mood to the space.

Morrocan and Meditteranean influence  permeate the space. A grided morrocan lamp hangs from the ceiling and casts a graphic grid onto the ceiling.  Tan arches lie above ornate pink floral printed walls.

Radost mixes a plethora of colors, eras, and styles together and it all seems to work. A rich history and cultural elements make the club special, something that can never be replicated. It’s almost like organic elements and hip social crowds flock to Radnost for great times, beautiful drinks and a Bohemian rockin time.

http://www.radostfx.cz/