Prague

Apple Hostel
Králodvorská
16 Praha 1 Old Town
Prague
Czech Republic 110 00
Phone: +42 077 7277534
Web: applehostel.cz
Stayed there: 5th and 8th of July 2007
Rates: Vary on room, but I found to cheapest to online for 300 Crowns and a 12-bed dorm

Not a bad little place in a good location. Comments I read online complained about noise from construction works nearby and there is certainly something going on, though it didn’t wake me. Earplugs would do the job if you’re a light sleeper.
I was in a vastly spacious 12-bed dorm with a comfy bunk to sleep on. Bedsheets were clean and the view over the square was nice (apart from the construction work!)
It’s hard to spot the hostel on the street. Come round the corner from the square with the bank on your left and it’s the next building. You need to press a buzzer to get in and climb two flights of stairs (or get the lift) before a warm welcome awaits inside. Reception were helpful and know the local layout well enough.
The showers are the “push button” variety so you have to lean back or stick an elbow out to keep the flow going, but the water’s a decent temperature. The bathrooms were very clean when I was there, as were the rooms, kitchen and communal area. Being the Czech Republic, smoking’s allowed indoors so I didn’t use the communal area as it stank, but the rooms are all smoke-free.
Breakfast was included, and was “eat all you can” of the usual style – bread, jam, tea, cheese and so on. The TV showed EuroSports, I think – it’s a decent enough one if you want to chill out there but there’s so much to do in Prague you have no excuse to laze there! One PC is available at a cost of 1 Crown per minute for internet access and has a good connection.
There’s no personal secure lockers that I spotted, but instead of a luggage room there’s a huge “cage” in a public location which I think is a great idea. Luggage rooms always worry me as people can hide inside and go through things with the door closed.
At these prices (one of the cheapest I found) and at that location (barely 5 minutes’ walk to the Old Square) this is a decent enough place.

Hostel and Aparts Krakovska
Krakovska 3
Prague 110 00
Czech Republic
Phone: +42 077 5909002
Web: Hostelbookers
Stayed there: 6th – 7th July 2007
Rates: Around £50 a night for a double/twin

Nice place and very close to Wenceslas Square for those wanting to party. A friendly welcome from a very helpful young lady on reception mad eme feel right at home when I got there. They even went out of their way to sort my room out for me when I arrived really early.
The little apartment we ended up with had a dinky washing machine, bath/shower, hotplate for cooking, coffee machine… but no kettle. Boo!
Still, the beds were comfy and the TV had football on. Doors were nice and secure and there were three of them to get through before anyone could rob the flat so nice and safe.
My only complaint is that the free internet is available in reception which was closed more than it was open. In fact, I think I only ever saw the staff on the first day!