Grand Hotel Evropa, the iconic, historic hotel in Prague, has started a new chapter and reopened after being closed for renovations. The storied hotel has reopened as W Prague, marking the entry of W Hotels into the Czech Republic.
The renowned Art Nouveau-style hotel was originally built in 1872 in the Neo-Renaissance style before being redesigned and renamed in 1889. Located on Wenceslas Square, the hotel was rebuilt in the Geometric Art Nouveau style between 1903 and 1905 and was eventually nationalized and renamed Grand Hotel Evropa in 1951. Following years of neglect and disrepair, the hotel was restituted in 1989 and has since changed hands several times.
In 2016, Prague Prime Home Management acquired the hotel from entrepreneur Václav Skala and began reconstructing the hotel into a luxury property.
The hotel, which has appeared in several films, is famed for its façade and ornate interiors and has hosted Prague’s elite in the early 20th century. Novelist and writer Franz Kafka reportedly held his only literary reading in Prague at the hotel in 1912.
W Prague revitalizes the former hotel and now offers 161 rooms (including 23 suites), a signature W Lounge, rooftop bar with views of the city and a spa. Architects Benoy and design firm AvroKO’s London Studio, in collaboration with local designers Chapman Taylor, have reimagined the hotel, while drawing inspiration from the original building’s Art Nouveau roots and Prague’s culture. The atrium has also been restored, featuring stucco details from 1905 and illustrations from 1925, along with a crystal installation by Preciosa Lighting and Pavla Doležalová.
A new nine-story modern elliptical shaped wing, designed by architectural studio DAM, has been added at the property. A corridor connects the heritage building and the new wing, which is inspired by elements of a magical garden.
The iconic Grand Café has also reopened and now partners with with Monaco-based restaurateur Riccardo Giraudi. Guests can access the W Lounge on the ground floor, a lounge garden, multiple bars as well as an outdoor terrace.
“As we debut W Prague, we’re not just opening a new hotel – we are breathing new life into one of the city’s most iconic landmarks,” said George Fleck, senior vice president and global brand leader, W Hotels. “W Prague fuses the enchanted history of the storied destination with bold, visionary design, creating an experience that both honors the city’s deep cultural legacy and embraces its vibrant, modern energy. This opening is a further representation of W Hotels’ momentum in Europe and beyond.”
