I think we are all a combination of old-fashioned and new, progressive and conservative,…read moretraditional and different. I consider myself a progressive thinker and a very open person to new things, but when it comes to décor, there is no doubt I gravitate towards the old-fashioned and traditional. Such was the case when I just traveled to Prague for a glorious week and stayed at the Hotel Hastal in the Old Town.
What a beautiful city Prague is. Besides that it is clean and safe and welcoming and affordable, I was blown away by how many old buildings are still intact. All you have to do is look up, and each building has some glorious architecture at the top. Maybe a statue, maybe an unusual shape, maybe a glorious terrace. What really blew me away was that the Jewish quarter is still intact. Hitler's plan was to demolish and eliminate the Jewish people and turn Prague into a kind of museum. This is where Jews lived. This is where Jews prayed. This is what a Jew looked like. This is what a Jew wore. Thank God his sick plan did not take effect and even with the devastation of the Jewish Community throughout Europe, Prague holds incredible Judaica from all the synagogues Hitler ravaged during World War II and the synagogues in Prague are still intact. Can you imagine being able to walk into a synagogue that's 500 years old. It was an amazing experience for me as a Jew!
I decided to stay at Hotel Hastal in the Old Town. It was just what the doctor ordered. Everything was in walking distance. I never had to take a bus or a train. I just simply walked to everything and I loved it. It justified my funnel cake filled with ice cream!!
The hotel itself is absolutely gorgeous and so old-fashioned and filled with incredible old world charm. The entrance, the staircase, the elevator, the reception area, the outside garden, the library, the room and the bar that served as our breakfast space in the morning. All these spaces are beautifully decorated with the original woodwork and artistry of its creators. The reception staff was incredibly helpful and guided me in the right direction always as far as where to eat and where to go and how to get there. The breakfast buffet was gorgeous. I wish I ate more in the morning because there was so many options. Fruits and vegetables and yogurt and eggs and cheese and coffee and tea and the list goes on and on. I especially loved their fresh warm bread with a good crust. Every morning I I loved the eating that bread with a cup of coffee... followed by everything else! LOL!
Sometimes after a long day of walking I enjoyed a complimentary cup of hot tea and sitting in the library and taking it all in. So beautiful. Sometimes I woke up early in the morning and loved being able to run downstairs and get a cup of coffee even before breakfast officially began. They even provided some brandy for me in my room. I wish I drank! I could go on and on, but this place is really a gem. I thought the price was quite reasonable for what you got and for the quality of the experience. It was so conveniently located that quite often I would sightsee for a couple of hours, come back to my room to regroup and head out again. Makes a big difference when you're 72!
I would have to put Prague near the top of my list of European cities I have visited. In general. I like Eastern Europe much more than Western Europe. It reminds me a lot of how I envisioned my grandparents lived before they emigrated to the United States. Do yourself a favor and go take a vacation to Prague. Filled with history, incredible Jewish synagogues, great food, easy to navigate, gorgeous churches, wonderful classical concerts and Hotel Hastal!!!
