beautiful lobby with nice taste, nice amiable service, very kind staff. We enjoyed our stay very much!

The fact that the letter presented to me as I left the hotel, requesting me to write this review, began "Dear Mr xxxx" (I am a woman travelling with my teenage daughter) sums up my experience of the Alchymist - lack of attention to detail.

We had booked through a website and requested a twin room. On arrival we were shown to a room with one small (queen size) double bed. I was told this would be sorted out and handed over the copy of the e-mail containing the words "twin room". The manager said they had not received the request and the hotel's way of rectifying the problem was to provide us with two single quilts. This was not satisfactory. I repeated my request for a twin room for the second night but was told there was none available.

The room itself described as "de luxe" was nothing of the sort. It was on the third floor, a converted attic, with sloping roof timbers severely restricting the floor area. Two tiny rooflights (one with a broken blind) faced directly onto a neighbouring tiled roof so there was very little natural light. The only hanging space was a tiny free-standing wardrobe, which also contained the safe, so there was very little space for hanging clothes. (I haven't seen this room pictured in any of the hotel's publicity!)
By comparison the bathroom was better, although a bit short of towels and toiletries - one small bottle (unreplenished) of shower gel for two people for two nights.

General amenities varied - the tiny plunge pool (it is not a swimming pool) and relaxation area were pleasant enough when we had them more or less to ourselves but at times they were beset by rowdy, largely unsupervised, children. Of course that is not the hotel's fault. There is generous lounge provision, slightly spoiled by the main walkway through the hotel. The tiny lift serves all three hotel floors plus the spa and pool area and was often in use by chambermaids and porters - which is fine if you're happy to run up and down all the stairs. The dining room where breakfast is served was rather cramped when busy - tiny tables close to each other.

The staff were also variable. Some of the hall and door staff were attentive and polite whilst other staff were rude.
Both on arrival and check-out we were ordered to wait in a nearby lounge because the reception area was in use. Some waiting staff barged through doorways in front of guests, chambermaids made little attempt to move trolleys obstructing the corridor & lift and even though we had bothered to learn a few words of Czech our greetings and thanks were largely unacknowledged (whether in Czech or English).

The main advantages of the hotel are its position - wonderfully peaceful but in easy reach of most of Prague's sights, and the distinctive buildings and decor which I'm sure would particularly appeal to non-Europeans. There is a useful business area with computers & interet access. The standard of cleanliness was good. The breakfast also was good, a fairly standard international buffet with a range of hot and cold items with eggs cooked to order.

If you're determined to book check directly with the hotel that you haven't got an attic room on the top floor and that you've got the right number of beds (and don't leave your husband at home - more than once I detected that groups including men were getting more attentive service).

But if you're used to top class hotels and service you may be disappointed

This was my first time in the Czech Republic and Prague. I would not hesitate to return to Prague and I would stay at the Alchymist Grand Hotel.
My wife and I stayed at the Alchymist at the end of March. Not the best time of the year weather-wise, but interesting. There were snow showers for our first three days, but the snow did not stick.
We booked the hotel through a web auction and got a very good price. However you book, make sure breakfast is included.
The location of the Hotel - just up the hill from the American Embassy - means that all vehicles are inspected by the local police before proceeding up the hill. This, however, is not a problem. We arranged for transport from and to the airport with the hotel's driver and jeep. [They also have a Rolls, but that's a little over the top] The inspection took less than two minutes. All taxi drivers in the area are used to stopping for the police inspection. It's really no big deal. I never saw more than two vehicles stopped at the same time; and not for long.
I would recommmend taking the Tram, rather than a Taxi anyway. The Hotel is only about a block to a Tram stop. The Trams are clean and just as fast as any taxi. Get a 3 or 4 day pass that includes the subway, validate it, and never have to even think about transportation.
There are at least two restaurants on the same street, an Irish Pub, and a cafe/restaurant at the botttom of the hill.
The location of the hotel is great, as long as you do not have any major problem walking. It should be noted that there is cobblestone everywhere, so bring comfortable shoes. It is literally just a few minutes walk to the Charles bridge. I read other reviews saying it is a 15 min. walk, and I must assume those individuals were walking really slowly. The hotel is located on the quiet side of the river, away from all the tours, tourists, street artists, etc. It is, however, within walking distance to old town square, all the shopping, and to the jewish quarter.
Our friends stayed in the old town area and, although their hotel was nice, it was a little too close to the activities. However, we walked to and from their hotel without a problem.
The hotel itself is great. It's best assets are the staff members out front. The doormen and front desk people are very helpful. They are more than happy to explain where to go and how to get there by Tram. They also have a great little map of the area.
The rooms are good size by european standard. The typical european bathtub/shower combination. The decor, as has been noted by other reviews, is over the top. Crystal, marble and gold everywhere. The staff keeps them spotless. The only complaint, if it is a complaint, is that the room was a little to warm, even with all three radiators turned off. We just opened a window.
I am not sure that any rooms actually have a view of any note. Our room just looked across to another building. However, we were only there in the evening to sleep. There are a number of locations, Prague Castle - by Tram - up the hill and the Charles bridge - on foot - down the hill, with sufficient views to satisfy any photgrapher.
Finally, unlike some other hotels, the Alchymist Grand has free in room internet access. For us, the savings, using voice over internet calling back to the USA, helped justify spending a little more on Czech crystal to take home.

My partner and I stayed here for Valentines Day weekend in 2008 for 3 nights and absolutely loved it. We chose the hotel due to the brilliant reviews it received here on tripadvisor, and were very glad we did so. We booked the lowest priced room plus standard jeep transfer to and from the airport (50 euros). Imagine our surprise and delight when we were picked up by the Rolls Royce! Apparently the owner of the hotel had gone out for the day in the jeep and could not be located so 'sadly' we got the rolls. A great experience, and the driver was lovely. The price is competitive with standard taxis from the airport so it is well worth it.

The hotel itself is gorgeous, and as is mentioned by previous reviewers - totally over the top in a baroque style but it works!!! The common areas are beautiful and relaxing - especially at happy hour (unlimited free wine and nibbles for an hour - a lovely touch). I'm not usually one for sitting around in hotel common areas - but this was an exception!

Our room was very nice - very nice toiletries, gown and slippers, chandelier, gold wardrobe, very comfy bed, great rainfall shower, safe. No view, but I suspect some of the front facing rooms will have one. We had a peek in an adjacent room when the cleaners were in and it was very nice too - looked to be the one up from ours - more room - I'd say get the best you can afford.

Breakfast was very very nice. Smoked salmon, cereal, cooked brek (including frankfurters!) cakes, pastries, pear strudel, yogurt, fruit, cappuccino etc etc. Really tasty too.

The service is second to none-very helpful friendly staff - spent several minutes talking us through their DVD collection (free to borrow) and touring us round the hotel.

Unfortunately we didn't have time to make use of the spa but it looked very nice, as did the little cafe at the front of the hotel. The location itself is brilliant - you couldn't ask for better - not far the Mala Strana, very close to the castle, excellent location for the Charles Bridge (approx 5 min walk) and some lovely restaurants nearby. As it was Valentines Day we ate at the very swish www.umodrekachnicky.cz. Delicious! 66 pounds for a 3 course meal and a bottle of wine which by Prague standards is very expensive but for the UK pretty standard. Great service, great location - strongly recommend. Another must see is U Černého Vola. It is about a 20 minute walk from the hotel - not far from the castle. An authentic czech pub (no english translations on the menu - just ask for the sausages mmmm) serving Kozel beer and wine for about 90p each. Everyone crams in on a few benches - absolutely great fun - we were quite tipsy after spending about a fiver!

Places to see an do - the Castle, Charles Bridge in the evening, the funicula up to the top of the Mala Strana, and the jewish quarter - great shops, synagogues, and Kafka's statue - plus Bakeshop Praha - try the brownies and see if you can eat an entire meringue - my boyfriend managed it, although it took him over an hour! Also must see the Astronomical Clock on the hour. If only to say 'is that it?!)

Overall I wouldn't recommend you stay anywhere else in Prague. This hotel deserves to be number one.