THE ROCCO FORTE COLLECTION EXPANDS INTO PRAGUE WITH NEW PROPERTY 13th Century Monastery Converted into Luxury Hotel

The Rocco Forte Collection’s newest property, The Augustine opened in Prague in May 2009. The 101 room luxury property, which overlooks the Wallenstein Gardens, will be the twelfth hotel to join The Rocco Forte Collection and is being created from a complex of seven buildings, most of which are historical monuments, including the St. Thomas Monastery, which dates to the 13th century. The Monastery will provide the hotel with a picturesque setting of established courtyards and elegant garden squares, while retaining certain areas for several practicing monks who will continue to live in a separate part of the monastery adjacent to the hotel.
The Augustine’s beautiful historic features have been restored and carefully crafted into the hotel’s design by London-based design company RDD under the guidance of Olga Polizzi, The Rocco Forte Collection’s Director of Design. As with all Rocco Forte Collection properties, the hotel’s design will reflect its location as well as the building’s remarkable history. Olga Polizzi’s design philosophy is simple and incorporates fabrics, colors and materials commensurate with the monastery setting. Through a number of key approaches, including the use of local materials as well as traditional methods by craftsmen, The Rocco Forte Collection preserved the original historical features of the property and retained many of the monastery’s original historical features, such as cloistered gardens, wooden ceilings, wine vaults and stone arches. More than 60% of all the historical timber has been restored by Czech craftsmen using traditional methods and the designers have used local materials wherever possible. Additionally, more than 141,258 cubic feet of archaeological excavation has taken place; where interesting features have been unearthed during construction, they have been incorporated into the design, specifically in the grotto bar which highlights stalactite features dating from the same time as the Wallenstein gardens. These are now a focal point in the bar and a former water source and pool have been excavated and covered with a glass floor.
All guest rooms will enjoy stunning views over the courtyards, the monastery chapel and the city’s main cathedral on the nearby hill. The hotel will also have two suites -- an impressive 1,615 square foot Presidential Suite and a Tower Suite, located in the monastery’s original tower. The outstanding Tower Suite comprises three floors, one for the living room, another for the bathroom, complete with freestanding bathtub and large walk-in shower, and the top floor for the bedroom, with breathtaking panoramic views of the rooftops and brightly colored spires of Prague. Both suites will boast 360 degree panoramic views of Prague.
Other new additions include a tranquil courtyard entrance and a glassed-in courtyard, which will be The Monastery, The Augustine’s 90-seat main restaurant, complete with two protected trees and outside seating during the summer months. Guests will also have the choice of two bars: Tom’s Bar, located in the monastery’s former barrel-vaulted double-height hall and The Brewery bar, housed in the cellar, in the former St Thomas’s brewery building, complete with 17th century stalactites and stalagmites. The hotel’s spa will feature four treatment rooms, a hammam offering special heat treatments, a steamroom, relaxation area and a fully-equipped gym.
The Augustine will have four private rooms suitable for exclusive events, dinners and meetings as well as a large 2,210 square foot ballroom in a protected double-height vaulted hall, ideal for elegant weddings and parties. The hotel also has direct access to St. Thomas’s Church and the stunning Wallenstein Gardens for the ultimate summer event or wedding reception.
The hotel, located in the Lesser Town (or Mala Strana) quarter of the city, is ideal for both business and leisure travelers. The property is within walking distance of Prague’s commercial district, the Czech Parliament and Senate, embassies, shopping areas, entertainment facilities and key historical sites, such as the Prague Castle, the Charles Bridge and the Wallenstein Gardens, where classical open-air concerts are held between April and October. Prague’s Ruzyne International Airport is approximately 6.2 miles away, and takes approximately 30 minutes by taxi, depending on traffic conditions. Access to the subway and other public transport systems are all nearby. For further information on Rocco Forte’s The Augustine, please call +1 888 667 9477 or visit www.roccofortecollection.com