Spotlight on Luxury Travel Provider: The Augustine, Prague

As a part of our Spotlight on Luxury Travel Providers series, we were honored to interview Jodi Masterson, Director of Sales and Marketing for The Augustine, Prague.

The Augustine, Prague, is an exceptional hotel comprised of an elegant ambiance, 5-star amenities, superior concierge services, a remarkable spa, and a lavish décor inspired by 1930s Czech cubism and contemporary art.

Comprised of seven buildings with historical and cultural significance, The Augustine, Prague transports visitors back in time to a place where rich heritage comes to life around every corner. Each room offers a stunning view of the Prague Castle, Malá Strana, The St. Thomas Church, or the serine monastery courtyards, providing visitors with a holistic look at Prague’s most charming elements.

In this interview, Jodi paints a wonderful picture of what it’s like to stay at The Augustine in beautiful Prague.

See below for the interview:

1. How does the location of The Augustine play a role in the experience travelers have while visiting?

Location is vital. The Augustine is centrally located in the heart of Prague and very close to the Charles Bridge, Prague Castle and the Old Town Square, making the hotel an ideal choice for travelers.

2. What makes The Augustine completely unique from other hotels in Prague?

The Augustine is a development of seven historical buildings and is the quintessence of Prague’s history, character, and beauty. All of the rooms feature a range of decorative accessories inspired by early 20^th-century Czech cubism, many of which are reproductions from Czech design specialist Modernista, including timber chairs by Pavel Janak and chaise-lounges in some of the larger rooms by Adolf Loos. The hotel also boasts fantastic outdoor spaces creating resort feel while still being in the middle of a capital city.

3. The hotel was constructed using various historical buildings, significant works of art, and the ultimate vision of luxury. Describe the type of ambiance visitors witness when they step into the hotel. How does this ambiance play a significant role in their vacation?

As described above, while being very centrally located, the hotel’s location offers a calm oasis once our guests enter the hotel. All of the staff members are geared to service our guests’ every wish, ensuring they have the most memorable experience while they are staying at the hotel. In addition, the hotel is adjacent to a working monastery, so if anyone wants to seek solace, they are able to sit in the Monastery Gardens and speak to one of the six monks for spiritual guidance.

4. The Augustine is comprised of 101 luxury rooms and is known for superior service. Many visitors might fear that their personal needs and preferences won’t be catered to while staying at an accommodation with 101 rooms. How does the hotel ensure that visitors have a personalized experience?

The Rocco Forte Collection philosophy is to never have a hotel which has too many rooms, so we are always able to give our guests the highest levels of service they expect when staying in our hotels. We have the right number of staff with the right levels of international experience, so they are able to give a personal experience. We have a system where we can profile our guests’ needs and expectations so we can deliver to them, especially if they have stayed in one Rocco Forte hotel previously. We can detail their likes and dislikes so when they arrive we know exactly what they are looking for—this is very important for the guests experience.

5. Is there anything else you’d like to add?

There are many unique features your guests can experience while staying at The Augustine, including sampling the St. Thomas Beer, which the monks used to brew for hundreds of years, and since the hotel is adjacent to a working Monastery, we are able to organize private guided tours of the Monastery, which culminates at their library with books that date back to the 13^th-century. The Monastery is NOT open to the general public and is only available to The Augustine guests and offers a truly unique experience while staying at the hotel.

About The Augustine, Prague:

“Centrally located in the heart of Prague between Prague Castle and The Charles Bridge, in the picturesque Malá Strana district, The Augustine is the quintessence of Prague’s history, character and beauty. Adjacent to the beautiful Wallenstein Garden, the hotel is within easy reach of the city’s many colourful tourist attractions, making it a natural choice for business and leisure travellers. The Augustine is also in close proximity to Prague’s commercial district; Prague’s Ruzyne International Airport is a 30-minute drive away.”

Contact me for more information on planning your trip to Prague.

Barcelona’s Architectural Inspirations

When people think of the architecture of Barcelona, they think of the intricate and highly individual style of Antoni Gaudí. While Gaudí’s influence is prominently showcased throughout the city, other architects have made their mark as well.

Sagrada Familia (Holy or Sacred Family)

The most famous of Gaudí’s works is Sagrada Familia, the almost hypnotically beautiful Catholic church. Construction began in 1882, and the following year, Gaudí became involved. He fused the curvilinear Art Nouveau and stark Gothic styles to create a unique combination of elaborate towers, spires, and façades. The three entrances celebrate the virtues of Hope, Faith, and Love.

Courtesy of barcelonatraveller.info

Shaped like a Latin cross, the interior has five aisles, with roof pillars that resemble branched trees. Stone caricatures tell the story of Christianity inside and out, and as in all his works, Gaudí included elements of nature throughout the building. Known as Gaudí’s unfinished masterpiece, Sagrada Familia is set to be completed around 2026.

Palau del Baró de Quadras

Designed by Josep Puig in 1904, this architectural marvel was built in the Modernist style and houses Casa Asia today. Its main façade combines Gothic and Plateresque styles, and features ornate sculptures of flowers, garlands, and busts by the famed sculptor Eusebi Arnau. Gargoyles appear frequently, and one corner depicts St. George fighting with a dragon. Some visitors have remarked that the façade appears to be made of lace.

Four Gothic style windows adorn the second floor, the third floor has a long row of arches, and the fourth floor’s mansard roof has gables and glazed ceramics to catch interest.

Barcelona Cathedral (Cathedral of Santa Eulalia)

Courtesy of Catedral de Barcelona.org

Constructed from 1298–1448, this Gothic cathedral is the seat of the Archbishop of Barcelona. The cathedral was built over the crypt of the former chapel of St. James, the church of the Viscounts of Barcelona. The ornate roof fascinates visitors because it features not only the typical gargoyles but also a variety of domestic and mythical animals.

The interior is divided into five aisles, with chapels at the outer two aisles. A side chapel is dedicated to Christ of Lepanto and contains an ornate cross from a ship that fought at the Battle of Lepanto. Coats-of-arms of the knights of the Order of the Golden Fleece decorate the choir stalls.

Barcelona Cathedral is dedicated to Eulalia of Barcelona, a young girl who was martyred during the Roman era. She was put into a barrel, which was then stuck with knives and rolled down a street. The cathedral’s crypt holds Eulalia’s body. The cloister houses thirteen white geese to commemorate the fact that Eulalia was 13 years old when she was martyred.

We’ve covered only three of the many architectural treasures of Barcelona. Have you seen any others, and which aspects of the architecture did you enjoy most? 

The Grapes of Spain: Touring the Ribera del Duero Wine Region

With over 250 wineries, the rural Ribera del Duero in central Spain is one of the world’s celebrated wine regions. Specializing in fragrant, robust Tinto Fino red wines, Ribera del Duero lies north of Madrid along the Duero River and is home to the Tempranillo grape.

Unlike the Napa Valley or other temperate wine regions, Ribera del Duero’s weather ranges from harsh winters to warm summers. With these temperature extremes, high altitude, and limestone soil, the region creates red wines as brazen and unique as the land that grows the grapes.

The region has been making wine since the Roman era, but the world did not discover Ribera del Duero until the late 20^th Century. The main wine of the region is the bold, intense Tinto Fino, but Ribera del Duero also produces Cabernet Sauvignon, Garnacha, and Malbec. Winemakers delight in blending their reds, and you can expect any Ribera del Duero wine to have strong fruit flavors and distinct woody notes. To complement these aromatic reds, you’ll find the simple, delicious cuisine you would expect in a rural region, such as rich cheeses, stews, and roast lamb.

When you visit the wineries of Ribera del Duero, you’ll enjoy the architecture and history of the area. The region straddles four historic Spanish provinces: Valladolid, Soria, Segovia, and Burgos, and you’ll see castles, Roman ruins, and medieval churches as you journey through the vineyards and the charming villages that surround them.

The region’s most famous winery is the Vega Sicilia, which was founded in 1864 and makes the complex aged Unico wine. The small, family-owned Emilio Moro winery has also been making wine for over 100 years. Other exclusive wineries to look out for include Aalto, Hacienda Monasterio, and Viña Sastre. Alejandro Fernández makes the renowned Tinto Pesquero, and the winery at Pingus is said to resemble a pink flying saucer.

Abadia Retuerta is a fascinating confluence of history and contemporary winemaking. The winery was established in 1996, and a spectacular 12^th Century monastery sits on the property. The monastery was founded in 1145 by the daughter of the Lord of Valladolid, and wine tasting takes place in the monks’ dining quarters.

Red wine lovers could not find a more enchanting region, with more multi-dimensional wine, than Ribera del Duero. With its stunning architecture, lovely villages, and hearty cuisine, the region is the perfect getaway for the wine connoisseur.

Have you ever been wine tasting in Spain?