The ICON Hotel and Lounge

Much is made of Prague’s medieval history, and to be honest, it’s inescapable. If you’re anywhere near the old town, a walk around the block is a trip to the Middle Ages. But there’s no reason why this historic city’s hotels need to be backward-looking — this place is firmly established as a travel destination, and there’s plenty of demand for stylish, contemporary accommodation. Which is where the ICON Hotel and Lounge comes in.

This 31-room boutique hotel freshens up the usual modern-design formula, avoiding the typical monochrome palette for golden wood and violet. And this is one hotel where you won’t see the same off-the-shelf furniture that’s currently in the catalogs; the ICON was furnished by Modernista, a local firm specializing in reissues of twentieth-century Czech modernist design pieces.

Thoughtful touches include boutique-label toiletries and linens, Hästens handmade beds (which everyone ought to sleep on at least once) and a selection of Thai massages. Czech art abounds, from the hallways on down to the ROOM tapas restaurant and lounge, and just outside is the ancient city center and Wenceslas Square.