Luxury Travel Advisor - February 2009 - (Page 19)

lar, we discovered the vaulted grotto with walls of rough-hewn stone. Formerly the St. Thomas brewery, this neat space will house a bar filled with tailor-made furniture. A glass-covered floor showcases the archeological foundations beneath, and a secret door leads to the Wallenstein Gardens adjacent to the Czech Senate, home to open-air concerts in the summer months. The Western-European-style spa, also located on the basement level, has a steam room, sauna, hammam and four treatment rooms designed with blue-tile mosaics and built-in showers. Upstairs on the ground level, a glass-enclosed courtyard houses the 90-seat restaurant. Three ancient trees were protected in its construction. Opulently styled under the guidance of the Rocco Forte Collection’s Design Director Olga Polizzi, the 101 guest rooms encompass 10 categories and have unique configurations and special details. No. 235 features ancient decorated doors, one of which opens a window over the bathtub overlooking the monastery courtyard. No. 117 has a painted fresco, and No. 323 (a smaller room category) has original wood beams and a sloped ceiling. Although the hotel exudes a sense of history and place, the interior design reflects Prague today, distinguished by designer chairs and ornamental objects inspired by Czech Cubism. Top Digs: Of the 16 suites, we were smitten with the Ambassador Tower Suite (No. 425), spanning three floors and connected by a spiral staircase. The door opens into the first-floor living room. On the second floor is the bathroom with a free-standing tub and separate walk-in shower. Floating above the city, the top-floor bedroom boasts a stunning, 360-degree panorama over the red rooftops and castle. This suite is ideal for honeymooners, and, in fact, The Augustine promises to lure destination weddings with everything under one roof: the church for the religious ceremony, the fresco-decorated bar for cocktails and ample reception spaces and cloistered terraces. We also liked Suite No. 330 for its high ceilings and castle views. Note: Postcard-perfect views can be found throughout the hotel, but, generally, the higher you go, the better. In Rocco Forte tradition, each room features beautiful volumes of Czech literature (think Kafka) on the nightstand. Nice Perk: A special package will allow hotel guests exclusive access to the monastery’s marvelous library, filled with 35,000 rare THE CHARLES BRIDGE is one of Prague’s most scenic venues, popularized in music videos and movies such as Mission: Impossible. www.luxuryta.com February 2009 | LUXURY TRAVEL ADVISOR 19 http://www.luxuryta.com

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Luxury Travel Advisor - February 2009 Contents Publisher's Letter Editor's Letter Caribbean Mexico Prague Hotel Splendido One Aldwych Liberty Hotel Resorts Cambridge Beaches Luxury Travel Expo Michael's Travel Awards Regent The Pulse Luxury Lifestyles Local Connections Sightings Source List

Luxury Travel Advisor - February 2009

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