The Czech Republic - Eastern Europe - page 257

Taking a bus to Karlovy Vary is much more convenient. Frequent express buses
make it from Prague's Florenc bus station in 2 1 ⁄ 4 hours at a cost of 130K c ($5.40/£3).
From Karlovy Vary's Dolní nádra z í (bus station) take a 10-minute walk or local bus
no. 4 into Karlovy Vary's spa center. Note that you must have a ticket to board local
transport. You can buy tickets for 10K c (40¢/20p) at the bus station stop, or from the
bus driver, which will then cost you 15K c (60¢/30p). For timetable information go to
www.jizdnirady.cz.
The nearly 2-hour drive from Prague to Karlovy Vary can be very busy and danger-
ous due to undisciplined Czech drivers. If you're going by car, take Highway E48 from
the western end of Prague and follow it straight through to Karlovy Vary.
VISITOR INFORMATION
Infocentrum m ê sta Karlovy Vary is located near the main Ml ; nská kolonáda, on
Láze n ská 1 ( & 353-224-097 ). It's open April to October, Monday to Friday from 7am
to 5pm and Saturday and Sunday from 9am to 3pm; November to March, Monday to
Friday from 7am to 4pm. Alternatively, you'll find information on www.karlovyvary.cz.
WHERE TO STAY
Some of the town's major spa hotels accommodate only those who are paying for com-
plete treatment, unless for some reason their occupancy rates are particularly low. The
hotels I've listed below accept guests for stays of any length.
Expensive
Grandhotel Pupp Well known as one of Karlovy Vary's best hotels, the Pupp,
built in 1701, is also one of Europe's oldest hotels. Its public areas boast the expected
splendor and charm, as do the renovated guest rooms. The best ones tend to be those
facing the town center and are located on the upper floors; these have good views and
sturdy wooden furniture. Some rooms have amenities such as air-conditioning, televi-
sion, minibar, and safe, though not all do. The hotel also has a stylish casino (open
midnight-4am).
Mírové nám. 2, 360 91, Karlovy Vary. & 353-109-630. Fax [phone]. www.pupp.cz. 110 units. Note that there
are no rates in local currency; hotel charges at a converted rate upon checkout. $362 (£181) double deluxe; suite from
$437 (£219); $1,625 (£813) presidential apt. Rates include breakfast. AE, DC, MC, V. Valet parking. Amenities: 4
restaurants; bar; cafe; pool; tennis courts; golf course; health club; limousine/taxi service; salon; room service
(6am-midnight); same-day laundry; casino.
Moderate
Hotel Embassy On the riverbank across from the Pupp, the Embassy has well-
appointed rooms, many with an early-20th-century motif. Set in a historic house, the
rooms are medium-size with medium-size bathrooms. The staff here really helps make
this hotel worthy of consideration, as does the proximity to the pub, which serves up
some of the best goulash and beer in the city.
Nová Louka 21, 360 01 Karlovy Vary. & 353-221-161. Fax [phone]. www.embassy.cz. 20 units.
2,595Kc-3,290Kc ($108-$137/£52-£66) double; 3,415Kc-3,830Kc ($142-$159/£69-£77) suite. AE, MC, V. Ameni-
ties: Pub; lobby bar; indoor golf; pool table. In room:TV, minibar, safe.
Inexpensive
Hotel Astoria In the heart of the historic town, the restored Astoria mainly caters
to spa guests but, unlike many of its competitors, it is big enough to usually have sev-
eral rooms available for nontreatment visitors. The staff can be a little gruff at times,
but the rooms are big, with satellite TV an added bonus. The restaurant serves stan-
dard Czech fare.