Any dessert that survives four rounds of menu changes has to be worth trying. On the plate in front of me sits a large chocolate-covered sphere filled with sponge-cake bites, hazelnut mousse and caramel, with a solid chocolate middle. The ‘Prague ball’ is the perfect way to end any meal, I’m told by the servers at ZEM, an avant-garde Czech bistro that combines the city’s traditional cafés with retro-futuristic Czech art, literature and engineering from the 1920s. Truth be told, I’ve little room for dessert, having already eaten a perfectly cooked beef tenderloin, but the sight of the popular chocolate creation being served at the adjacent table evokes food envy and I order one.

The restaurant celebrates the Earth (which is what ‘zem’ translates to in Czech) and uses simple cooking techniques, along with a hint of a Japanese influence, to entice fine dining lovers from around the world to the Czech Republic. 

The venue is located within the capital’s new five-star luxury lifestyle hotel, the Andaz Prague – an ultra-luxurious, art-inspired retreat that provides authentic moments to its guests by immersing them in the Golden City’s storied past. 

The hotel pays homage to Prague’s distinctive charm and fuses modern art throughout its luxurious interior, including inside each of the 152 lavish rooms and 24 suites. Along with displaying custom-made furniture and classical Bohemian characteristics, it features stucco-decorated high ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows that provide views of remarkable historic landmarks such as Jindřišská Věž tower, Church of St. Henry and St. Kunhuta, the Haymarket and Grainmarket, and the Dancing Musicians Fountain.

Prague has a deep mythological history involving tales and fables with animals and mythical beasts. The lion, in particular, features on the Czech coat of arms, and winged statues can
be found dotted around the city, which is best explored on foot. 

Guests of the Andaz Prague can enjoy an exclusive 90-minute Walk of Myths tour, which takes you 6.5 kilometres across the city’s cobbled streets. Landmarks along the route include the Old Town Astronomical Clock, a stunning marvel from 1410 that’s also the third-oldest astronomical clock in the world, which draws huge crowds to watch animated figures on the clock face move as the hand strikes the hour. 

Other stops include Golden Lane, a row of colourful 16^th-century houses found inside the grounds of the city’s castle and the mightily impressive St. Vitus Cathedral, containing replicas of the priceless Bohemian crown jewels. The originals are kept locked away and only the President has the right to retrieve them for display. This is in fact much simpler than it used to be. Once upon a time, the country’s seven highest-ranking officials were required to meet, each carrying an individual key, in order to open the safe that housed the jewels. 

Another stop on the tour – frankly, a must-see whether you’re on the Walk of Myths or exploring the city at your own leisure – is the Strahov Monastery library, considered a jewel of the Baroque era. Prague is a haven for book lovers and boasts one library for every 2,000 Czech citizens. The Strahov Monastery is a real treat for the senses. Visually, it’s a sight to behold. The endless sea of 42,000 books stacked neatly underneath the curved ceiling with beautifully painted artwork will have you craning your neck in awe at every step. 

It’s a treat for the ears too, thanks to a wonderful calming silence broken only by the soft sound of footsteps slowly making their way through the monastery, which has almost as many stories to tell as the thousands of tomes it’s home to. The building has been rebuilt many times due to a combination of war and neglect. Now, however, it’s home to ancient artefacts and even animal specimens, including the extinct dodo. The venue has also been used as a concert hall for famous composers including Mozart, who performed there in 1789. 

After soaking up the city’s history, your feet deserve a break from the cobblestone pathways. Thankfully, the Andaz Prague has thought that through with a spa located on its lower level. The Femme Spa Next Level is a blissful retreat, offering rejuvenating massages and treatments utilising cutting-edge technology and methods that improve blood circulation, break down fat cells, and strengthen skin structure.

There’s also a luxurious Finnish sauna, steam bath, and even a fitness centre if you feel the need to work up more of a sweat, which I can tell you is unlikely after an hour-long relaxation treatment.

For those making the seven-hour direct flight from the UAE, Prague is a contrast to the Emirates’ modernity – but is no less luxurious. The Gothic architecture and stone arch bridges crossing the Vltava River have stood proudly since the Medieval era and now blur the lines between old and new – a change of pace from high-rise buildings and digitalisation found in most cities today. The roads and streets are also lined with global and local high-end fashion and jewellery boutiques. You can also find large gold bullion coins in stores from the Czech Mint, embossed with the powerful face of the iconic Czech lion wearing a jewel-encrusted crown. 

The streets in the city centre are awash with activity year-round, which means flights in the winter months are popular, with GCC travellers looking to experience Prague’s cosy Christmas markets. But perhaps what’s lesser known is that Prague also has similar Easter markets to celebrate the start of spring. During April, decorated wooden huts sell handmade jewellery, candles, toys, and ceramics, along with hearty food and hot beverages. 

One of the must-try sweet treats is the trdelník, or chimney cake – a hot pastry made from rolled dough and baked on an open fire before being covered in sugar and cinnamon, and filled with chocolate sauce and ice cream. 

The Prague 1 district, where the Andaz Prague is located, is where most of the sightseeing and entertainment happens. This is therefore a popular place for tourists. 

It’s not uncommon to see large groups navigating the cobbled alleyways, making their way in and out of candy shops lined with barrels of sweets, or touring one of the many galleries. 

Tours of the National Library are also popular and sell out within minutes. So, be sure to head to the Old Town before 9am to secure your spot. For an even quieter tour, you can take yourself into the World of Banksy gallery, which is open daily and doesn’t require a set time to enter, alone or with a group. The exhibition displays murals from private collectors along with reproductions of Banksy’s early career in an 18^th-century Baroque-style church.

Should you be looking for more of a unique activity and something that kids will enjoy too, try a glass-blowing experience. A rich part of Prague’s creative history, you’ll be taught the history behind the art form, while you make your very own creation – as long as you can stand the heat because it gets toasty in the Pragl hot shop. You’re literally standing near a burning furnace in the boutique gallery, so be prepared. But there’s no need to worry – it’s perfectly safe and safety gear is provided. You also get to keep your creation but bear in mind that blown glass takes time to cool. So, you’ll need to come back and collect your masterpiece the following day.

That gives you the perfect excuse to retreat to the Andaz Prague, just a ten-minute walk away, and put your feet up for the evening. If the restaurant is closed, there’s nothing to fear – the hotel offers a 24/7 room service menu that can be ordered from at any hour. There’s also a free mini counter located in the hotel lobby, so you can pick up a beverage or snack en route back to your room. The hotel suites also have separate lounges and dining areas, allowing you to enjoy your food at your own table in the comfort of your room. 

Staying at the Andaz Prague means a lot of your thinking is done for you, which, in today’s fast-paced society, is a welcome luxury. Items such as eye masks, soaps, slippers, and other self-care essentials are available on request, so you can pamper yourself in your opulent bathroom in complete comfort. For a small fee, you can also take home larger items from the hotel suite such as yoga mats, curling irons and even the non-feather duvet – if you have room in your luggage. 

Perhaps the hardest part about staying at the Andaz Prague is the fact that you eventually have to leave it. The hotel ensures every detail of your stay is well thought-out, so having to think for yourself again upon departure is a reminder of the blissful stay you’ve just enjoyed. 

After all, the temptation when staying in a five-star hotel is doing just that – staying in it – which would be a crime in a city like Prague, which boasts such a rich history that it needs to be seen to be properly appreciated. 

However, the Andaz Prague acts as an ambassador for the city, promoting its activities to guests by handing you a guide upon check-in and explaining more about the local amenities and culture. Its rooms are also laden with artwork and sculptures by local artists, ensuring connectivity with local creatives and teasing you enough to go out and explore, while also being a place you can’t wait to return to.

Visit hyatt.com/andaz/prgaz-andaz-prague