Ten hotels in the New Town area — Old Town in ten minutes on foot, the best pools in central Prague, and the full range from a Sugar Palace to reliable budget options
The Wenceslas Square area — officially Nové Město, New Town — was laid out by Charles IV in 1348 and has been the commercial heart of Prague ever since. The square itself is 750 metres long, lined with shops, restaurants and hotels. The streets surrounding it hold some of Prague’s most interesting buildings: the Art Deco Imperial Hotel with its Byzantine maiolica ceiling, the neo-Renaissance former Central Bank that is now the NH Collection Carlo IV, the Art Nouveau building that houses W Prague. None of these are particularly well known outside Prague. All of them are worth staying in.
Why Stay near Wenceslas Square — The Honest Case
- Best pools in central Prague — five hotels within ten minutes of the square have serious indoor pools. Malá Strana and Old Town have almost none. If a pool matters, this area wins.
- 20–30% cheaper than Old Town — equivalent quality hotel, ten minutes further from Charles Bridge, significantly lower nightly rate.
- Metro connections — Můstek (lines A and B) and Muzeum (lines A and C) are on the square. From Můstek to Old Town: two minutes. To the airport: 40 minutes direct.
- Interesting architecture — Art Deco, Art Nouveau, neo-Renaissance and functionalist buildings all within walking distance. The area has more architectural variety than tourist-facing Old Town.
- Local restaurants — one street back from the square, prices drop and quality rises. Vodičkova, Štěpánská and the streets toward Vinohrady have the best restaurant-to-tourist-trap ratio in central Prague.
Hotels with Pools near Wenceslas Square
The NH Collection Carlo IV is the best pool hotel in central Prague — the largest indoor pool of any city-centre hotel, in the converted spaces of the former Central Bank of Bohemia. The neo-Renaissance banking hall with soaring ceilings and marble columns is where breakfast is served. The pool and spa occupy the lower levels, retaining the building’s structural grandeur. For guests whose priority is serious pool and spa facilities at a price below the Four Seasons, this is the clear answer. Rates from CZK 4,500 (€180) per night.
The Novotel Praha is the best value pool hotel in the Wenceslas Square area — large indoor pool, jacuzzi, sauna, family rooms with children under 16 staying free in existing bedding. The most practical choice for families and for guests who want pool access without the NH Carlo IV’s premium price. Rates from CZK 2,800 (€112) per night, significantly less than equivalent pool hotels elsewhere in central Prague.
W Prague occupies a 1906 Art Nouveau building directly on Wenceslas Square — the brand’s high-contrast contemporary interior inside a preserved historic facade. The AWAY Spa with indoor pool, the rooftop bar and the energy of the square location make this the most complete lifestyle hotel in the area. The right choice for guests who want the W experience — bar, pool, design, event spaces — alongside a central Prague address. The rooftop bar is bookable by non-guests and has good square views. Rates from CZK 5,500 (€220) per night.
The Hilton Prague Old Town — the better of the two Prague Hilton properties — sits five minutes from Old Town Square with an indoor pool, children free on breakfast (under 12), and interconnecting room options for families. The location between Wenceslas Square and Old Town gives genuine dual access: metro connections at Náměstí Republiky, Old Town Square walkable, Wenceslas Square ten minutes. Consistent Hilton standards for guests who value reliability. Rates from CZK 3,500 (€140) per night.
Design & Character Hotels
The Art Deco Imperial Hotel has a café with walls and ceiling entirely covered in hand-painted Byzantine-inspired maiolica ceramic tiles from 1914 — the most visually spectacular café interior in Prague. The breakfast served in that room is consistently cited as the best hotel breakfast in the city. The hotel itself retains its full Art Deco character throughout. For guests who want a hotel with genuine design history rather than contemporary design credentials, the Imperial is the answer. Rates from CZK 3,800 (€152) per night.
BoHo Prague is consistently the highest-rated design hotel in Prague — member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, warm natural interiors, indoor pool and wellness area that maintain the same quality as the rooms. The New Town location puts you ten minutes from Old Town by tram, surrounded by good local restaurants. For guests who care about design credentials alongside pool access, BoHo is the best option in the area. Rates from CZK 3,800 (€152) per night.
The Andaz Prague sits technically on the Old Town edge of New Town — on the Vltava embankment between Wenceslas Square and Old Town Square, ten minutes from each. The former Sugar Palace from 1916 gives the building genuine Art Deco character; the Klára Rott Spa with couples treatment rooms is the most specifically romantic spa offering in the area; the ZEM restaurant is in the Michelin Guide. The premium option for guests who want design, spa and river views in the New Town radius. Rates from CZK 8,500 (€340) per night.
Mosaic House occupies a converted early 20th-century theatre in New Town — the theatrical spaces inform the design throughout, with high ceilings and the spatial generosity that theatre buildings carry. Private rooms from CZK 1,800 (€72) per night make this the most accessible genuine design hotel experience in Prague. The bar in the converted foyer is one of the better hotel bars in the area. For budget-conscious travellers who care about where they sleep without paying boutique prices, Mosaic House is the correct answer.
Best Value Hotels near Wenceslas Square
Grandior Hotel sits on náměstí Republiky — five minutes from Old Town Square, next to the Municipal House, at the edge where New Town meets Old Town. Consistently well-rated for value, service and location. The most central option at the upper mid-range price point. For guests who want a reliable, well-located hotel without the design premium of BoHo or the pool premium of the NH Carlo IV, the Grandior is the straightforward answer. Rates from CZK 3,200 (€128) per night.
Hotel Cosmopolitan is the best option in the area specifically for families needing interconnecting rooms — the configuration works properly, the staff are genuinely helpful with families, and the central New Town location gives easy access to everything. Consistently the highest-rated family hotel in this price bracket. Rates from CZK 3,200 (€128) per night — the same as the Grandior, with the specific advantage of proper interconnecting room availability.
Compare All 10 Hotels
| Hotel | Pool | To Old Town | From/night |
|---|---|---|---|
| NH Collection Carlo IV | ✓ Largest | 10 min walk | €180+ |
| Novotel Praha | ✓ Large | 10 min walk | €112+ |
| W Prague | ✓ AWAY Spa | 10 min walk | €220+ |
| Hilton Prague OT | ✓ Indoor | 5 min walk | €140+ |
| BoHo Prague | ✓ Indoor | 10 min tram | €152+ |
| Art Deco Imperial | ✗ | 8 min walk | €152+ |
| Andaz Prague | ✗ | 5 min walk | €340+ |
| Grandior Hotel | ✗ | 5 min walk | €128+ |
| Hotel Cosmopolitan | ✗ | 8 min walk | €128+ |
| Mosaic House | ✗ | 10 min tram | €72+ |
Area Guide — What’s Around Your Hotel
- Wenceslas Square — 750m commercial boulevard, National Museum at the top end, shops and restaurants throughout. Better for orientation than for spending time — walk through it rather than along it.
- Municipal House — Prague’s greatest Art Nouveau civic building, next to Grandior and Art Deco Imperial hotels. The Kavárna inside is worth a morning coffee. The Smetana Hall is where Czech independence was declared in 1918.
- Náměstí Republiky — the square at the Old Town / New Town boundary. Powder Tower on the corner, Palladium shopping centre opposite. The natural meeting point between the two areas.
- Národní třída — runs from Wenceslas Square to the river, past the National Theatre. Good restaurants on the side streets, the best architecture in New Town on the buildings facing the street.
- Vinohrady — ten minutes east of Wenceslas Square by metro or on foot. Prague’s best neighbourhood café scene, good restaurants, the Riegrovy sady beer garden with city views. Worth a half-day from a New Town base.
Getting to Old Town from the Wenceslas Square Area
- On foot — from Wenceslas Square top (Muzeum metro) to Old Town Square: 15 min. From Náměstí Republiky: 5 min. From the river embankment hotels: 8–10 min.
- Metro — Můstek (lines A+B) is at the bottom of Wenceslas Square, two stops to Staroměstská for Old Town. Two minutes. The fastest connection.
- Tram — multiple lines connect New Town to Malá Strana and the castle. Journey 15–20 min. Tram 22 goes directly to Prague Castle (Pohořelec stop).
- To airport — Metro A from Můstek to Dejvická (6 stops), then Bus 119 to Ruzyně. Total: 45–50 min. Or Bolt/Uber: 25–35 min, CZK 400–500.
More Prague Hotel Guides
- Best Hotels in Prague — complete guide across all budgets and neighbourhoods
- Hotels with Pool & Spa — full pool guide including all central options
- Design Hotels Prague — architecture and interiors across the city
- Hotels in Vinohrady — the neighbourhood ten minutes east
- Boutique Hotels Old Town Square — the alternative five minutes north
- Budget Hotels Prague — best value across the city
- Prague Family Hotels — family rooms, interconnecting and pool options
- Wenceslas Square Guide — what’s on your doorstep
Frequently Asked Questions
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The best pools in central Prague, Old Town in 10 minutes — all with free cancellation on Expedia.
NH Carlo IV — Best Pool → Novotel Praha — Best Value → W Prague — Rooftop Bar →This article contains affiliate links. If you book through them, HelloPrague earns a small commission at no extra cost to you. All recommendations are based on personal experience and honest assessment. Full disclosure here.
Dan