An Honest Review of Pentahotel Prague in the Czech Republic

Yogurt and other items at Penta's breakfast

Heading to Prague and wondering where to stay? Today I'm sharing all about my stay at Pentahotel Prague in the Karlín neighborhood.

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I confess, it took all my might to resist titling this post “Czeching In.” (Clearly, my willpower only got me this far, so here we are.)

But let’s be honest: there’s nothing amusing about the process of booking a hotel in a city you’ve never visited before. It’s daunting. The easiest approach is often to zero in on the city center and pick the best option your budget allows. But what if you flipped the script? What if, instead of focusing solely on proximity to tourist sights, you thought about where you’d want to spend your mornings and evenings?

Maybe you’d love to start your day with an early morning run through a scenic park, or perhaps your ideal evening involves staying out late enough to cross paths with those early risers on their way to the track. By reframing your priorities this way, you might bypass the overpriced, tourist-heavy zones and land in a local, livable neighborhood surrounded by green spaces, great restaurants, and fun bars.

This small shift in perspective can transform a trip. Instead of just visiting a destination, you start to feel like you’re truly experiencing it.

Today's post is in partnership with Penta Hotels, but as always, all opinions, photographs, and foosball victories are my own.

When planning my recent trip to Prague, evening activities were my focus—not in the wild way a stag party might prioritize nightlife, but because I saw myself winding down each day in a cozy pub with a perfectly poured Czech beer. I also wanted the convenience of grocery stores and coffee shops within easy reach for those slower mornings.

That focus led me to consider a few neighborhoods, but Prague 8 quickly captured my attention. Known for its youthful energy and charm, Karlín felt like the perfect base for our trip. And there, I discovered a new-to-me hotel brand bursting with personality and offering an incredible value: Penta Hotels.

ABOUT PENTA

Penta Hotels didn’t start on the ground floor—it began in the sky. Originally a cooperative venture among five European airlines, Penta Hotels was created to compete with the major airline-affiliated hotels of the time. This heritage is still reflected in some of its locations near key airports, such as Brussels and Paris—though most Penta locations are ideally located in lively parts of each city, making them a great home base for visitors, and not just those passing through.

Since its founding in 1971, Penta Hotels has evolved into a distinctive brand with sixteen design-forward properties across Europe and Asia. At the heart of the Penta experience is the Pentalounge, a vibrant communal space where guests can relax, eat, drink, and play. The lounge also houses the bar, which doubles as the check-in area—the hotel chain pioneered the practice of eschewing traditional reception desks for a more laid-back and welcoming vibe.

Who will feel right at home at Penta? The global traveler seeking a stay that feels as much like their own living room as it does an adventure.

ABOUT PENTAHOTEL PRAGUE

Pentahotel Prague became the first Penta property in the Czech Republic when it opened in 2013 in the lively Karlín neighborhood. The hotel features 227 bedrooms, six meeting rooms, a fitness center, and a spacious lobby that combines the lounge, restaurant, and bar into one welcoming space. Its design blends modern touches with a laid-back atmosphere, offering a comfortable base for visitors to experience both Prague’s rich history and its modern energy.

Located near stops on Prague’s excellent public transportation network, the hotel provides easy access to some of the city’s most famous landmarks, including Old Town Square, Charles Bridge, and Prague Castle. Whether for business or leisure, Pentahotel Prague offers a relaxed and convenient place to stay while exploring one of Europe’s most fascinating cities.

ROOMS AND AMENITIES AT PENTAHOTEL PRAGUE

View of a Double room at Pentahotel Prague, with a wardrobe and a bed reflected in the mirror — The rooms at Pentahotel Prague are simply outfitted, but spacious

A sink with body products and a desk with window and chair — Each room includes a well-lit bathroom and a workstation

Each room includes a well-lit bathroom and a workstation

A pool table, lounge chairs, and dining area at Pentahotel Prague — Play or relax? The Pentalounge invites you to do both.

There’s a room for every type of traveler or group at Pentahotel Prague, from efficient Single Rooms to classically outfitted Standard Rooms to options with a little more space and comforts like the Plus Room and Penta Junior Suite. But no matter which room you choose, you’ll find all the essentials for a great stay, like a comfortable bed, well-equipped workstation, spacious bathroom with premium hair and body products, hairdryer, kettle and tea, flatscreen TV, clothing storage, and more.

Beyond the room, you can expect amenities like:

Free Wi-Fi
Common areas for lounging
Activities and games in the lobby
Game consoles for checkout
Extended hours at the restaurant and bar
Housekeeping upon request
Fitness center
Infused water in the lobby

MY EXPERIENCE AT PENTAHOTEL PRAGUE

The lounge area of Pentahotel Prague — Pentahotel Prague’s lobby is more like a lounge—and the bar serves as the front desk

As I stepped out of the rotating doors of Pentahotel Prague with my luggage in tow, I had no choice but to pause to let my eyes adjust to the low lighting. It had been a long journey from Vienna by train, made even longer by delay after delay. But once I’d acclimated to the moody atmosphere, I didn’t find a porter or a traditional check-in desk waiting for me. Instead, I was greeted by a pub-like lounge encircling a lively bar—surprisingly busy for 4 o’clock in the afternoon.

Michael and I rolled our bags up to the bar, where a friendly face quickly checked us in. Moments later, we were gliding past groups of people laughing, playing games, and watching soccer on the many TVs in the lounge. After a brief wait for the elevator, we rounded the corner to find our room.

The oversized bed at Pentahotel Prague — Our room made it easy to unpack and quickly feel settled

Clothing storage, a safe, and a kettle at Pentahotel Prague — Our room made it easy to unpack and quickly feel settled

Inside, we discovered an incredibly spacious room with thoughtful touches: hooks ready for our heavy coats and a much-needed chair where we could take turns removing our heavy winter boots. After a five-hour train ride with barricaded lavatories, the oversized bathroom was a welcome sight—gleaming, bright, and spotless.

Once we unpacked our luggage into the cleverly designed storage cabinet and hung our clothes on the generous number of hangers, I was tempted to collapse into the biggest bed I’ve ever seen and dig into the kind welcome snacks they gifted to us. But there was a city waiting to be explored, so I whispered a reluctant “see you later” to the bed, and we set off to discover Prague.

Sofas in the lounge at Pentahotel Prague — Though the lobby was frequently filled with people, there was always room to sit

Prague’s transit system is convenient and well-organized, and we were delighted to find stops for multiple tram lines just down the block and the Křižíkova metro station only a three-minute walk away. December in Prague is chilly, so we hopped on the Wi-Fi (to conserve our data) and waited in the warm lobby until the last possible moment before dashing for the tram.

I probably don’t need to tell you that Prague is breathtaking and endlessly explorable (though I’ll soon do exactly that in my upcoming weekend guide to the city!). We returned to the hotel that evening exhausted from a whirlwind tour of Christmas markets, hearty food, and local beer. Only one thing stood between me and that glorious bed: a shower.

The shower with a half-door at Penta — Pentahotel Prague’s showers are Euro-style, with a half-pane of glass

Look, I don’t enjoy the feeling of ignorance—I am an obsessive Googler and an annoying question-asker in an effort to try to understand why things are done a certain way. But I do not and will never understand the European shower. Admittedly, the shower at Penta was better than others I’ve encountered, with a rain shower head that can be rotated to reduce the amount of spray outside of the half-panel of glass. But I still spent more time than I’d like mopping up the mess I made while trying to get clean.

Moments later, the shower was forgotten and I was far away in dreamland, wrapped in my own comforter on a bed that felt twice the size of the one I have at home. Though I surely slept a solid eight hours, the next thing I knew, it was morning, and breakfast was calling.

Pastries at Penta — Sweet, savory, light, or hearty—the breakfast buffet at Penta has it all

A quiche and salad items at Pentahotel Prague — Sweet, savory, light, or hearty—the breakfast buffet at Penta has it all

As it turned out, breakfast was calling for everyone else too. We waited as several packed elevators passed us by before finally opting for the stairs. In hindsight, that little burst of exercise was probably a good thing because the breakfast buffet was more of a feast.

There was truly something for everyone at Penta’s breakfast buffet. Pastries? Check. Fruit? Check. Yogurt, porridge, bacon, eggs? All there. Coffee and juice? Plenty of options. Smoked salmon, salami, brie, and even chicken soup—yes, chicken soup—made the spread. Despite the fact that there was plenty to go around, there was a noticeable sense of urgency among our fellow guests as they swooped in from all directions to make sure they could fill their plates.

Alyssa and Michael's plates of breakfast at Pentahotel Prague — Switching up our breakfast routine was a treat—as was finding some new favorites like Lučina, a fresh Czech cheese

A rack of pool cues — Lobby game options were a great way to warm up between activities in the city

Michael plays Space Invaders — Lobby game options were a great way to warm up between activities in the city

For the rest of our stay, we fell into a delightful rhythm. Mornings began with breakfast (though we learned to follow the hotel’s recommendations for when to dine to avoid the chaos of large crowds at the buffet), followed by exploring the city. We’d return occasionally to warm up in the cozy lobby, playing games or planning our next outing, and then retreat to our room at night to recharge for another day.

The only exceptions to this routine were small but still worth mentioning. When our toilet paper supply ran low, the staff quickly replenished it and kindly refreshed our room by making the bed and providing new towels. And when it came time to check in for our departing flights, I spent a while at the large desk in our room, grateful for the natural light streaming through the windows and the abundance of outlets. I couldn’t help but think that it would’ve been a comfortable space to work, though thankfully, this trip didn’t require it.

The bar at Penta — On my next visit to Prague, I’ll be sure to make time for a drink at the bar

I do have some regrets. With such a long list of restaurants and bars to visit while in Prague, we never got around to trying dinner or drinks at the hotel bar. And despite the fitness center being just steps away, I skipped a visit—though our daily miles of walking probably made up for it. Thankfully, I’m a glass-half-full traveler, so all I see is the perfect excuse to return.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Where is Pentahotel Prague located?

You can find Pentahotel Prague in the trendy Karlín neighborhood at Sokolovská 112, 186 00 Praha 8-Karlín, Czechia.

What time can I check in? And when do I need to check out?

Check-in begins at 3 p.m., and check-out is until noon. Arriving early or leaving late? Ask the staff at the reception desk, and they’ll be glad to hold your luggage for you. Nowhere to go? The bar and lounge are designed for hanging out.

Does the hotel offer parking?

Yes, guests can park for €29 per day in one of the hotel’s fifty dedicated parking spaces.

Two coffees from Můj šálek kávy — You’ll find just about everything you could want within a few minutes’ walk (especially coffee—there are so many coffee shops in Karlín!)

What is near the hotel?

You’re mere steps away from all the conveniences a traveler might need like grocery stores, pharmacies, banks, restaurants, bars, and coffee shops (the most essential!). Some favorites from this trip include Albert Supermarket, Polévkárna (soup), Lokál Hamburk (food and beer), and Můj šálek kávy (coffee).

As for the city’s sights and attractions, you’re just a twenty-minute tram ride away from Prague’s Old Town Square and thirty minutes from Prague Castle. The hotel is incredibly well served by public transit, with the Křižíkova and Urxova stops practically at the front door and the Křižíkova Metro station just around the corner.

Is breakfast included?

No, however, you can include breakfast in your reservation at a rate of €16 per person (or even less if you’re a Friend – more on that a few questions down!).

What types of rooms are available?

Find a room to fit just about everyone’s needs, from a single to a junior suite.

Pastries at breakfast at Penta — Penta works to reduce food waste by partnering with Too Good To Go

Can you tell me about Penta’s sustainability efforts?

Hotels are notorious waste generators, but Penta Hotels takes sustainability seriously. Initiatives include partnerships with Too Good To Go, tackling food waste, and Click A Tree, supporting global reforestation efforts. You can learn more about their environmental and social initiatives here.

Can I bring my pet?

Yes, Pentahotel Prague allows pets at a nightly rate of €20 per pet.

Can I host an event at the hotel?

Yes! It seemed like there was always a meeting or event going on at the hotel, and with six separate spaces, it’s easy to see why. Head here to learn about each space, whether you’re holding a small gathering or bringing in up to 200 people.

Are there any specials or discounts?

It’s good to be a Friend of Penta! By signing up for the hotel’s loyalty program, you’ll receive 10% off your booking and 10% off your food and beverage bill. I recommend signing up sooner rather than later, as they also send extra discounts and offers throughout the year.

CHECKING OUT: MY FINAL THOUGHTS ON STAYING AT PENTAHOTEL PRAGUE

With an outstanding location and reasonable rates that offer a phenomenal value, I would gladly return for another stay at Pentahotel Prague next time I’m in the city. Every employee we encountered was warm and friendly, and we truly had everything we needed for our stay in Prague. Not to mention, a sanctuary of a room (our corner room was so quiet) with a lively lobby tailor-made for meeting other travelers is the perfect combination for travelers wanting to make the most of their trips.

Thank you, Penta, for your warm hospitality and for allowing me to share a real-life look at the Penta experience!

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Questions for you

Describe the best hotel breakfast of your life.

How much time do you usually spend hanging out in a hotel lobby?


While I always encourage readers to book directly with a hotel (don't forget to sign up for their loyalty program!), I am aware that many travelers prefer to use third-party platforms. If you found this post helpful and would like to book through a third-party platform, would you consider booking through my affiliate link at Expedia, Priceline, Agoda, or Booking.com? It doesn't impact the price of your stay but generates a small commission so I can continue to run this site ad-free. Thank you for your support, it means the world to me!

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One Comment on “Checking In: A Review of Pentahotel Prague”

Johannes Schuschu says:

January 7, 2025 at 7:55 am

Thank you very much for this great post. It really describes who and what we are, in one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Much appreciated, and many greetings from the Team of Pentahotels.

Checking In: A Review of Pentahotel Prague