In the 1980s, a Communist-era television tower was erected in Prague, ruining its picturesque skyline. Now you can stay at a hotel with a view that’s guaranteed not to include the tower, because it’s located inside the tower itself, perched 70m over the city.
The imaginatively named One Room Hotel is located inside what was once known as the Žižkov Television Tower, designed by Václav Aulický and Jiří Kozák in 1985. Because it was such a jarring presence, it was hated by the city when it was built, although residents in the Communist-ruled country were not formally allowed to criticise the structure. The tower was also rumoured to jam communication signals from the west.
In 2012, the tower was renovated and re-opened to the public and is now named Tower Park Praha. In addition to adding a garden and park around the base, the city tried to humanize the thing with public art, like these not-at-all-creepy kids crawling up the outside of the tower (above). One of the pods was converted into an exclusive hotel (three of the pods are still used for communications).
The hotel, sadly, did not retain much of the tower’s Brutalist charm. The room is thoughtfully appointed in contemporary Vitra furnishings. However, you do have the option to transform it into a private conference room to conduct important business if that’s more important to your needs.
Rental rates for the hotel start at the low, low price of only $US900 per night.
Should the stunning 360-degree views begin to bore you, of course, there’s plenty to do without having to return to street level. Just one floor below you is the Oblaca restaurant, which also provides in-room dining, and at the tippy top of the tower is an observatory. Yes, that’s right: food and entertainment. You never need to leave the tower! [T]