HistoryThe Crowne Plaza Hotel was built In 1952-1954. It evolved from an
original combination of the architecture of Socialist Reali known as Sorela, and
art-deco of the American type, completed by Czech artists and craftsmen. The
Hotel thus acquired elements strongly reminiscent of buildings constructed in
the twenties and thirties of the 20th century in the USA.
The Hotel was designed in 1950 by the architect Frantisek]erabek in co-operation
with architect Frantisek Trmae, who formed the collective of the Military
Project Institute in Prague. The Hotel was planned on the basis of a
pre-selected town-planning study as a dominant landmark along the lines of the
Lomonosov University in Moscow. The building of the Hotel is constructed as a
combined skeleton with the footprint in the shape of the letter "T".
In the interior, classical materials were used, worked with great craftsmanship
in the individual details which was a tradition of craftsmen from the First
Republic, who were still active at that time. Under the guidance of the
architects a number of leading artists created a number of noteworthy originals
for the Hotel, dominant among which are tapestries, stained glass, mosaics,
chandeliers, wrought iron, hammered copper banisters and various pieces of
stonework. Exceptional are also the paintings opposite the grand staircase which
were created by means of an old Italian technique known as stucco lustro. Among
the most important artists who participated in the construction of the Hotel
were Cyril Bouda and Max Svabinsky.
The furniture, a considerable part of which, after renovation, is still used by
guests today, was manufactured in the style of cubist-like reminiscence, in the
spirit of the already-mentioned art-deco and also partly after the pattern of
the presidential library in Prague Castle. After forty years of operation the
Hotel furnishings were worn to such an extent that it was essential to carry out
a general reconstruction. This was entrusted to architect Michal Sourek. The
reconstruction was also a condition for the inclusion of this Hotel into the
worldwide network of Hotels bearing the name of Holiday Inn. In the building of
the original military building no expense was spared on high-quality material
and therefore it was possible to keep all the marble tiling and many other
architectural elements. It was also possible to lighten the dark Rooms and
sensitively extend the Entrance Hall, where a new place was found for Reception.
Through opening it up towards the exterior, the Lobby Bar acquired a unique
atmosphere, with the extra light emphasizing details of the art work evocative
of the fifties.
After furthermore investments by Austria Hotel International - today's owner -
in order to meet the tough quality standards, the Hotel was renamed/upgraded to
the Crowne Plaza Prague Hotel.
At the present time, the Hotel is considered, from the point of view of art
history, to be a unique historical building which was recently included in the
Central List of Historical Buildings of the Czech Republic.
The Crowne Plaza Hotel is situated in one of the quietest parts of
Prague, near Prague Castle and 10 minutes by car from the airport at Prague
Ruzyne.
The Harvest Room Restaurant is the main gastronomic centre of the Hotel where
specialities of Czech and international cuisine are served. The furniture of
massive wood, which has been refurbished, gives a very pleasant period look,
giving the Restaurant a unique ambience and atmosphere. The Restaurant has
seating for 160 guests. Breakfast is served in Buffet style, Luncheon and Dinner
a la Carte.
With an atmosphere all of its own is the Café in the Lobby Bar, on the ground
floor in the right wing of the Hotel, with seating for 80 guests. In the
evenings guests can relax here with live Piano music.
Raca Wine Restaurant offers a special opportunity to spend an evening tasting
wines straight from local cellars with its frequent Wine Party Folklore
programme. Ideal for groups and Incentives.
