The best budget places to stay in Prague.

Prague, the capital city of the Czech Republic has tonnes to offer with regards to culture, architecture, food and drink. To maximize on the opportunity to enjoy Prague to the fullest, here are some of my tried and tested luxury hostel and budget boutique hotel recommendations.

Mosaic House Hostel

Located in the heart of Prague, the Mosaic House Hostel is the perfect starting place to explore the sights of the city. As regards transportation, the nearest metro is just a 5-minute walk away Charles Square (Karlovo náměstí).

The most outstanding feature of the Mosaic House Hostel is its focus on maintaining a green, eco-conscious environment in the hostel. It uses a water recycling system an

d generates 100% renewable energy. The other cool feature of the hostel is their in-house music bar and lounge where they host a mix of international and local bands.

The Mosaic House Hostel, as the name suggests, is an admixture of a hotel and hostel, retaining cool features of both. The emphasis is on good design and comfort. There are 55 shared and 41 private rooms, which have ensuite bathrooms.

The dorms are mixed or female only. Key features include security lockers, personal storage space, reading light and plugs. If you feel like splurging, the hostel offers a buffet breakfast for €8.50.

Rates: A bed in a dorm from €10-€15, depending on the time of year.

Czech Inn Prague

If you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the touristy city-centre of Prague, we recommend a stay at the Czech Inn, in Prague’s upbeat Vrsovice Neighbourhood.

This part of town, previously a working class area, has been recently revived into a hipster/artsy neighbourhood. The hostel is accessible (Krymska stop) via the 10, 16, 22 trams or the 135 Bus from Florenc bus station.

The Czech Inn provides the option of private rooms or beds in hostel dorms. You can choose from 4-36 bed dorms. Some of these are all-male or all-female.

The private rooms are fitted out with all sorts of creature comforts, but the premium dorms are pretty fancy too. These dorms consist of 2 bedrooms with a common kitchen

and living room area, more than one bathroom and no bunk beds. The standard dorms are more basic but are due an upgrade.

Czech Inn has the option of breakfast for €6. Other great amenities include free linen and Wi-Fi, free local maps sharing points of interest, towels for rent, borrowing of alarm clocks, hairdryers and adapters.

An on site bar in the basement with microbrew bar and scheduled entertainment, make this a lively spot at night.

The beautiful and unique decor make this one of the most visually interesting hostels I have ever visited.

Rates: Dorm beds from €12, premium dorm beds €19 (all low season).

Sophie’s Hostel

The location of Sophie’s Hostel has the best of both worlds – a short tram ride or metro stop into the city centre but located in a relatively quiet corner of New Town. The hostel can be found in a pretty locale, on the edge of the Vinohrady area.

The nearest metro stop is IP Pavlova stop on the Red C line tram; IP Pavlova on the 10,11,16 or 22 trams.

If you are interested in finding out how the locals live, then the area surrounding the hostel has a number of bars, restaurants and markets and also Namesti Miru- the location of the Christmas Market.

Facilities provided by the hostel include complimentary Wi-Fi, linens and local maps. Towels need to be rented though. Sophie’s also hosts events like beer tasting, pancake nights or 10K riverside runs.

There are all sorts of rooms at Sophie’s Hostel: apartments, dorms and private’s. Dorms (option of female only also available) have comfy bunkbeds with individual lockers, a shelf, personal light and a plug point. The rain-showers in the bathroom are notable too!

Rates: €14 for a dorm bed (all in low season).

Sir Toby’s 

If you are not fussed about being in an upscale or central location in Prague, then Sir Toby’s is the hostel for you. You will find it in Northern Prague, in a previously industrial district called Holesovice.

The hostel more than makes up for neighbourhood ambience with the beautiful antiquated interiors. It’s a mix of several styles the antique, Art Deco- ornate yet still very affor dable.

To get to the historic centre of town, avail of the 1,12,14 or 25 trams. The nearest stop to the hostel is the Delnická stop.

Regarding rooms, choose from 5 to 12 person dorm rooms that also include male or female dorms, artistically designed private rooms with wooden floors, interesting wallpaper and vintage features.

As regards perks, Sir Toby’s offers free barbecues in their pub. The friendly staff, social atmosphere and beautiful vintage design elements, make this an outstanding hostel.

Rates: Dorm beds start from €11 in low season.

Plus Hostels Prague

Plus Hostels Prague is located in Praha 7, which might seem to be in an off-central location but the immediate neighborhood is quiet and just opposite a tram stop. The tram will drop you conveniently into Mala Strana in just 15 minutes and the Holesevice train station is very close by.

The hostel has a number of cool facilities to offer- an indoor salt-water swimming pool, sauna, private gym, beach volleyball court and onsite bar and restaurant that doubles up into a night time entertainment spot.

Dorm rooms and privates are quite spacious and comfortable. The 8-bed dorms and private rooms are all ensuite and are great value for money. All the beds come with free linens, a duvet and pillow. The female only dorms have a free welcome pack. Choose from double standard ensuite, twin private ensuite, triple standard ensuite, quadruple standard ensuite, 4,6 or 8 bed dorms or female dorms.

With luxurious facilities like a swimming pool and sauna and the lower price point, you can’t really complain with this hostel.

Rates: for a bed in an 8-bed dorm €10.

NYX Hotel Prague 

This is a hotel whose philosophy centres around fusing the budget accommodation brand, with style that’s not bland or boring. The hotel aims to cater to a wide range of people with different ideas and expectations.

Facilities provided by this cool hotel include free Wi-Fi in all areas, a Skype box for calls, live music, a shisha lounge, a playroom with interactive electronic games and much more.The rooms range from doubles, triples, quadruples, family rooms (two adults two children) and the ‘Xtensive Room’ sleeping 2-6 people in the ‘largest bed in Central Europe’.

The location is unparalleled- close to all the sites, 50m from historic Wenceslaw Square. The Mustek metro line A,B is 50m away.

Rates: Rooms start rom €62 per night.

Miss Sophie’s Hotel

This recently renovated Hotel is right next to its sister hostel, Sophie’s Hostel. The design is chic and has great aesthetic appeal. The ambience in calm and relaxing. Pop next door for breakfast at Sophie’s Hostel.

The hotel is well located- just a 5 minute walk away from Wenceslaw Square. It will take you 30 minutes to walk into the Old Town Square.

This hotel definitely fits the budget boutique category. Though there might be a lack of things to do at the hotel itself, you can benefit from all the standard facilities: free Wi-Fi, free local area maps, advice from friendly staff about places to eat and visit, luggage storage facilities etc.

There are 16 rooms in total: of which 6 are triples. The hotel is housed in an old Art Nouveau building but the interior is very modern in design. The bathrooms are clean and adequate. They are installed with rain showers. The triple rooms are good for couples travelling with one child.

Rates: Rooms start from €43 per night.