Four Seasons vs Mandarin Oriental Prague: How They Compare
Trying to decide between Four Seasons vs. Mandarin Oriental Prague?
The Four Seasons and Mandarin Oriental are two of top luxury hotels in Prague.
Both are five-star properties and offer unparalleled service but you may be wondering which one is better.
After experiencing both properties firsthand, it became clear that each delivers a very different interpretation of luxury.
We’re going to tell you how they stack up against each other with regards to location, rooms, dining, service and more. Plus, we’ll show you what we paid and tell you which one we liked better and why!
Four Seasons and Mandarin Oriental: Quick Comparison
|
Feature |
Four Seasons |
Mandarin Oriental |
|---|---|---|
|
Location |
Riverfront; views of Charles Bridge + Prague Castle |
Quiet, historic Mala Strana monastery setting |
|
Atmosphere |
Classic, elegant, upscale luxury |
Zen, serene, modern-with-history blend |
|
Rooms & Design |
Spacious rooms, refined décor, many with river or castle views |
Stylish, minimalist rooms with warm Asian-inspired touches |
|
Dining |
Riverside restaurant with Italian cuisine & iconic views |
Contemporary Czech cuisine with a more intimate feel |
|
Spa |
Full-service spa, gym, sauna |
Award-winning spa in a 14th-century chapel—unique and atmospheric |
|
Best For |
First-time visitors, view lovers, romantic stays, sightseeing |
Serenity seekers, wellness-focused travelers, design lovers |
|
Price Range |
Typically higher due to views + location |
Slightly lower on average, strong value for luxury |
|
Vibe |
Grand, polished, classic luxury hotel |
Quiet, boutique-feel luxury with historic charm |
Which one do we recommend? Both hotels are fantastic but we recommend the Mandarin Oriental Prague for its location and overall value.
Four Seasons vs Mandarin Oriental Prague
We’re going to be completely honest with you by saying that comparing these two hotels is like comparing apples to oranges.
Yes, they’re both five-star luxury properties and each offers amazing service. That’s pretty much where the similarities end.
It doesn’t matter if you’re talking about location, atmosphere, views or prices, they’re just different.
When we were planning our recent visit, I had my heart set on staying at Four Seasons Prague.
However, after doing a bit of research, Mandarin Oriental piqued my interest. So, we decided to split our stay, all in the name of research, of course.
Honestly, I’m so happy we stayed at both properties because they couldn’t be more different.
Location
Some may argue that Four Seasons has the better location when comparing it to Mandarin Oriental.
We say, it depends.
|
Site |
Map Location |
|
Four Seasons Prague |
1 |
|
Old Town Square |
2 |
|
Astronomical Clock |
3 |
|
Jewish Quarter |
4 |
|
Charles Bridge |
5 |
|
Mandarin Oriental Prague |
5 |
|
Lennon Wall |
7 |
|
Prague Castle |
8 |
Four Seasons Location
Four Seasons Prague sits in a beautiful Old Town location along the right bank of the Vltava River, offering gorgeous views of Prague Castle.
Because of its prime setting, the surrounding area can feel quite busy, particularly along the main road beside the hotel, and the proximity to Old Town means the property naturally has a lively, bustling atmosphere.
Still, the location is one of the hotel’s greatest advantages. Guests are just steps from many of Prague’s top sights, including Charles Bridge, the Jewish Quarter, and New Town.
Mandarin Oriental Prague Location
Mandarin Oriental is located on the opposite side of the river from the Four Seasons on the left bank.
Tucked away on a side street in Mala Strana, the area surrounding the hotel is much more tranquil and laid back.
While there are some busy streets nearby, the ones immediately surrounding the hotel are fairly quiet
Mandarin Oriental may not be as close to Old Town as the Four Seasons but it is closer to other attractions including Prague Castle, Lennon Wall and Strahov Monastery.
Who Comes Out On Top?
We love Four Seasons but Mandarin Oriental gets the win for location from us.
We prefer the quiet village feel of Mala Strana over the busy tourist area of Old Town.
After visiting Old Town and the surrounding area, we felt like we had seen everything there was to see after a few hours.
On the other hand, we spent hours exploring the streets of Mala Strana and around Prague Castle and felt like we could’ve easily spent several more hours and still not have seen everything.
Rooms & Atmosphere
Both hotels offer beautifully decorated rooms with all the modern conveniences you would expect from a luxury hotel.
There are some definite differences between the two though.
Four Seasons Prague Room
We stayed in a modern king room at Four Seasons which was nicely decorated in a modern elegance with warm neutral colors.
It definitely had a cozy feel to it which we loved.
Although it was spacious enough for the two of us, it was really just a standard-sized hotel room.
The bathroom was also elegantly designed with a tub and separate shower. We loved the high-end bath amenities as well as the plush robes.
While our room only overlooked a side street, there are rooms that offer views of the river and Prague Castle. Whether or not it’s worth the additional cost is a personal choice.
Mandarin Oriental Prague Room
We stayed in a deluxe room at the Mandarin Oriental and it was roomy, bright and beautifully decorated in warm colors.
Because the hotel is housed in a former monastery, rooms here have several unique features which may include vaulted ceilings, oversized windows and exposed beams so no two are alike.
Similar to Four Seasons, our room overlooked a side street but there are rooms that offer views of Prague Castle.
Who Comes Out On Top?
Based strictly on comfort and amenities, the hotels are tied in this category.
They both offered high end amenities including upgraded bed linens, hair dryers, safes and luxury bath amenities.
However, Mandarin Oriental gets the slight edge because our room was larger. This comes into play in the value section later in this post.
Dining Experience
Both hotels have one main restaurant in addition to a bar and lounge area. However, Four Seasons also has Miru, an upscale rooftop restaurant with a focus on Japanese cuisine.
Four Seasons Prague Dining
The Four Seasons’ signature restaurant is Cottocrudo, which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.
There is an extensive breakfast buffet but you can also choose from some a la carte items if you prefer.
At night, the menu switches to upscale Italian cuisine.
The restaurant has an outdoor terrace which is a nice option during the warmer months. A bonus when dining on the terrace is the distant view of Prague Castle.
In addition, you can order smaller dishes in Cottocrudo Bar if you want a more casual dining experience.
Mandarin Oriental Prague Dining
Mandarin Oriental’s signature restaurant is Monastiq which serves breakfast lunch and dinner.
You have the option of dining inside or al fresco on the Monastiq Terrace which overlooks the entrance courtyard.
Similar to Four Seasons, you can choose from a breakfast buffet or a la carte menu.
For dinner, the menu offers contemporary Czech cuisine.
You can also choose to dine in Monastiq Bar and Lounge for a more casual experience.
Who Comes Out On Top?
Four Seasons edges out Mandarin Oriental on this one for a couple of reasons.
The Mandarin Oriental’s buffet had more than enough to satisfy us but the Four Seasons breakfast buffet was pretty impressive.
Plus, you really can’t compete with the views of Prague Castle while dining.
Amenities
To be honest, we didn’t use the spa or gym at either property. We have a strict no-gym policy when we’re on vacation so, unfortunately, we can’t speak to the quality of the facilities.
However, here’s a quick look at the facilities each hotel offers in case you’re interested.
Four Seasons Prague Amenities
The Four Seasons has an onsite gym that offers both cardio and weight training equipment. They also have AVA Spa with five treatment rooms and a vitality pool.
Quick Note: There’s a max of 3 people allowed in the gym at any given time.
Mandarin Oriental Prague Amenities
While the Mandarin Oriental doesn’t have a pool, there is an award-winning spa housed in a former chapel which is pretty cool.
You also have access to the gym which offers weight and cardio equipment.
There are also morning yoga classes on certain days of the week if you’d like to start your day off right.
Service & Hospitality
When it comes to service, both Four Seasons and Mandarin Oriental excel, but they do so in distinctly different ways.
Each hotel delivers the high level of professionalism you’d expect from a top luxury brand, yet their approaches to hospitality create two very different guest experiences.
Four Seasons Prague Service
Although the hotel was fairly busy during our stay, there was always someone available whenever we had a question.
We didn’t use the concierge, so we can’t speak to that aspect of the service, but housekeeping was excellent; attentive, quiet, and always respectful of the door sign.
One small detail that really stood out to me was finding a Four Seasons bookmark placed inside the book I’d left on the nightstand. It was a tiny gesture, but it made a big impression.
To be fair, we had stayed at the Mandarin Oriental first, and they were actually the ones who introduced me to this thoughtful touch since they also placed a bookmark in my book. So technically, Mandarin Oriental won me over with that detail first.
Mandarin Oriental Prague Service
We also experienced exceptional service at the Mandarin Oriental. As with Four Seasons, there was always someone available whenever we had a question.
We were pleasantly surprised by an unsolicited room upgrade, which was a thoughtful touch.
Housekeeping was excellent and never intrusive, and upon arrival, the front desk associate who checked us in personally escorted us to our room. Along the way, he shared a brief overview of the hotel’s history—a small gesture that made the welcome feel warm and personal.
Who Comes Out On Top?
For us, Mandarin Oriental wins this one.
Both hotels offered great service, but the personal escort to our room and the little history lesson made the experience feel more individualized.
And let’s be honest, an upgrade always helps to sway things.
Price Comparison & Value
As much as we liked both properties, there’s a definite gap between the two properties when it comes to price versus value.
Here’s a price comparison based on what we paid for our stays. For reference, we visited in September.
|
Fees |
Four Seasons |
Mandarin Oriental |
|---|---|---|
|
Nightly Rate |
$854.00 |
$478.00 |
|
VAT 12% |
$102.00 |
$57.00 |
|
Parking |
$68.00 |
$75.00 |
|
City Tax |
$5.00 |
$5.00 |
|
Breakfast |
Included |
Included |
|
Total Rate |
$1,029.00 |
$615.00 |
Four Seasons Prague
The Four Seasons has a higher nightly rate but there are some things to consider when deciding price versus value.
You really can’t beat the location if you want to be close to the heart of Old Town.
Its location along the Vltava River with views of Prague Castle and Charles Bridge is worth its weight in gold but whether it’s worth the premium pricing will be a personal decision.
We loved our experience at the Four Seasons Prague and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to anyone. Its location made it easy enough to come back and rest for a bit after exploring Old Town for a while.
In addition to the exceptional service and premium amenities, the location is part of what you’re paying for with this hotel.
Keep in mind, that you may be able to find lower rates at different times of the year so it helps to do some research if you’re flexible with your dates.
While some may think it’s still overpriced, if you compare it to other Four Seasons hotels around the world, it’s actually a bargain.
Mandarin Oriental Prague
While you can’t argue the fact that Four Seasons has a spectacular location, Mandarin Oriental also has a fantastic location. It may not be as close to Old Town as the Four Seasons but it is closer to Prague Castle plus its distance to Charles Bridge is about the same.
Mandarin Oriental offers a much different kind of luxury experience, one that’s more understated which may appeal to different travelers.
We found the service and amenities to be comparable to Four Seasons.
Who Comes Out On Top?
As you can see, there’s quite a difference in the total nightly rate between the two hotels.
If we had to choose between them, we would pick Mandarin Oriental over Four Seasons.
What it really comes down to for us is the location. We prefer the quiet Mala Strana neighborhood over the tourist-heavy Old Town.
The Best Hotel for Your Trip: How to Decide
If you enjoy the hustle and bustle of downtown cities and want a hotel that offers exceptional service, amenities and rooms that have spectacular views of Prague Castle and Charles Bridge, then the Four Seasons Prague is the way to go.
However, if you”d prefer a hotel that offers all the same level of service and amenities in a quieter setting, Mandarin Oriental is the way to go.
Mandarin Oriental & Four Seasons Prague: Full Reviews
If you want a more in-depth look into each of these beautiful properties, check out our full reviews of each one.
👉 Read the full Four Seasons Prague review
👉 Read the full Mandarin Oriental Prague review
FAQs
There’s a lot to consider when deciding between Four Seasons and Mandarin Oriental Prague. To help, here are our answers to some common questions many travelers ask.
Is Four Seasons Prague worth it?
Four Seasons Prague is worth staying at if you’re looking for a luxury hotel with a premium location that’s close to many of the city’s major attractions.
How far is Mandarin Oriental from Old Town?
It takes approximately 20 minutes to walk from Mandarin Oriental Prague to Old Town.
Which hotel is closer to Charles Bridge?
Four Seasons Prague is approximately a 5-minute walk to the Charles Bridge and Mandarin Oriental Prague is a 10 minute walk. The hotels are located near opposite ends of the bridge from one another.
Final Takeaway: Four Seasons vs. Mandarin Oriental Prague
Comparing the Four Seasons vs. Mandarin Oriental Prague isn’t entirely straightforward. They both offer excellent service and a luxurious experience.
However, given the choice, we would stay at Mandarin Oriental Prague over the Four Seasons.
We preferred the Mandarin Oriental over the Four Seasons because we liked the Mala Strana neighborhood over Old Town. There were fewer crowds, less traffic and it was a much more tranquil area.
Strolling through the quiet cobblestone streets surrounding the hotel and Prague Castle was one of our favorite things to do while there.
However, deciding the best one for you will come down what you want your experience to be. They’re both amazing properties so you can’t go wrong with either one. Happy traveling!
