When I was planning my trip to Czech Republic I knew that it would be cut into three sections. First, I would arrive in Prague and spend three nights on my own. Then, I would spend several nights touring around the rest of the country with a press group before coming back to the city for another three nights on my own.

I often stress to my readers that I have different styles of travel; there is the luxury travel style of press trips, and then there is the budget travel style of my independent trips (a.k.a. the way I used to travel before I started a travel blog). While the fancy hotels and upscale meals are a real treat, I still really enjoy traveling like a backpacker and relying only on myself to explore a city.

So, my first night arriving at PLUS Prague Hostel was a real relief. I dropped my backpack to the floor beside my bed, kicked off my sandals and fell down onto my bed.

*sigh*

There I was in (granted, my very own, as no one else ever checked into my room) a four bed hostel dorm room, on a twin bed with the windows wide open.   This is how travel is supposed to be.

I was pretty jet lagged (a reoccurring theme in my life these days), so I didn’t have the energy to  begin exploring the city yet today. I made my way down to the hostel bar/restaurant and ordered some dinner.

Feeling absolutely famished, I had ordered a chicken burger with fries and sat down to eat in the main dining hall. I was happily surprised; many hostel restaurants aren’t exactly the type of establishments to blow your mind–but this chicken burger was delicious. I would be getting more of these.

If you’re interested in eating outside of the hostel there are plenty of great restaurants and deli’s in the area. One of my favourite places was “7 Tacos” at the corner of Ortenovo and Privozni (like a two minute walk to the end of the street).

It might seems a bit strange to eat Mexican food in Prague, but it was delicious at the interior of the restaurant was really cool, plus free wifi–yay!

The next day, it was time to explore Prague. I stopped at reception and asked for the best way to reach old town. They told me to (turn right out of the hostel and walk to Ortenovo and Privozni) buy a tram ticket for 24ck at any of the shops at the end of the street and then board the tram (turn right at the end of the street and follow the tram line to the tram stop) heading to Holsovice Station (two stops up).

Then, I took the subway from Holsovice to Florenc (yellow line), transferred at Florenc to Mustek Station (red line). I got off at Mustek and had no plan in mind, I just wandered the streets for a few hours.

After getting to know the area better after a couple of weeks, I would suggest getting off at Republiky Station and walking through the Powder Gate toward Old Town Square.

Spend a bit of time here admiring the beautiful buildings as well as the astronomical clock (great to arrive around noon for the chimes).Then, continue on to Charles Bridge for an awesome view of the city.

Getting to the city centre from PLUS Prague Hostel is as simple as that, and it only takes about 15 minutes each way. I went back and forth more times than I can count, and probably know that subway system like the back of my hand. I didn’t get lost once, and have confidence that you won’t either.

My second visit to the hostel took place the following week. I arrived back at the hostel and was happily greeted by the reception staff. I had arrived early, but they told me that my room was already ready for me and I could go right up. This time I would be staying in a private hotel room. Yes–a hotel room in a hostel.

PLUS Prague is a hostel/hotel combination. This means that they have comfortable hotel rooms available, while still in the communal hostel atmosphere. Entering my room, I couldn’t believe it, it felt like I had walked into an IKEA showcase (in the best way possible).

It was the same layout as the dorm room, but had only my double bed in the middle and a desk to the side. It was spacious and bright, and I had my very own shower and toilet (in their own separate rooms).

It was a perfect combination; I was pretty exhausted from my previous days traveling around the country, so the comfort of a private room was looking pretty appealing at that moment. However, if I was feeling socialable after a rest, I could easily head down to the common room for the usual hostel traveler chats. Perfect.

Thinking it couldn’t get any better, I hopped onto my bed. Oh. My. God. It turned out, that after all this time touring around to different hotels around the country, that this hotel/hostel bed at the PLUS Prague was in fact THEE most comfortable bed in the entire country (that I tried anyway, lol)!

There were two layers of down filled duvets and a massive pile of down filled pillows. I felt like I was drifting away on a happy cloud of bed and it was absolute heaven. Okay, I wouldn’t be going anywhere today. I tucked myself in and spent the night working from bed.

My last couple of days were spent exploring a bit more and relaxing at the hostel.   I really liked working in the hostel bar when it wasn’t too busy because it gave me change of surroundings and the much needed wifi.

The Hostel also has a pool and hot tub in the basement, which is awesome, and pretty much unheard of in hostels! I also spent a lot of time in the common room, where I could once again use the wifi, get snacks/drinks and just relax when I planned my days.

I definitely urge you to stay at PLUS Prague hostelif you find yourself in the city, and more specifically suggest the private hotel room. Of course, if you’re on a budget, the dorm rooms are pretty awesome too. Hope you have a great time :]

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