Official Name

Karlovy Vary. The German name can be found quite often as well: Karlsbad (Charles' spa). 'Var' means 'simmer', 'Vary' sounds like the plural form. According to legends, the name derives from the discoverer of the springs - King Charles (in German Karl) the IV. There are many spas in Western Bohemia (most of them characterised by the word -lázně in the place name), but Karlovy Vary is the number one by all means.

Location

Location of Karlovy Vary
Karlovy Vary

The town is kocated around 120 km west of →Prague, in West Bohemia at the confluence of Ohře (Eger) river and the smaller Teplá. Parts of the city stretch out across the up to 700 m high mountains.

Population

Around 55,000 people live in Karlovy Vary, which is hard to believe when you walk trough the city centre (i.e. tourist related part) - it looks much less.

Orientation

Most of the sources concentrate along the small river Teplá, which is flowing from south to the north. Here, all the famous colonnades, places where people can drink the mineral water, some hotels and other tourism related facilities line up. Additionally there are some churches. This stretch is simply elegant - only a few modern buildings disturb the chic centre. Many colonnades and hotels were built during the 19th century and are well preserved.

Karlovy Vary has two train stations. The dolní nádraží (lower station) is for local trains, running to Mariánské Lázně (Maria's spa) and other less famous places. More important is the horní nádraží (upper station) for long-distance distance trains, e.g. to →Prague and →Cheb. The lower station faces the right bank of the Ohře (Eger) river, adjacent to the bus terminal. From there it's less than 5 minutes to the city centre. The upper train station is atop a hill on the other side of the river. From there, it takes around 15 minutes to walk to the centre. The suburbs mainly spread to the east and north-west. However, as a visitor to the mineral sources one won't notice the suburbs at all.

History

As far as the legends go, king Charles the Fourth discovered the first hot springs in the year 1350 coincidentally while he was hunting. In 1358, he built the first hunting lodge. The real boom didn't start before the 19th century, when Karlovy Vary, at that time better known as 'Karlsbad', started to be a chic spa. Doctors understood that the mineral water coming from deep in the earth has healing powers, and so Karlovy Vary's water became very famous. Hotels and colonnades mushroomed, and many famous people from all over Europe relaxed in Karlovy Vary - from Goethe to Tolstoy, from Bismarck to Marx - everyone was there. It's claim to faim was not just limited to the mineral water. In 1857, Ludvík Moser started to produce high-quality glass in Karlsbad. Today, the glass is known as Bohemian crystal and as famous as the springs themselves.

Even in socialist times Karlovy Vary could preserve its image as an exclusive and popular spot. After 1990, the number of visitors started increasing steadily. There is almost no need at all for advertising the place. Nice restaurants and exchange booths (don't use them! rather stick to your credit car!!!) as well as souvenir shops mushroomed all over the place.

Getting there / transportation

There are several express trains to Karlovy Vary, although 'express' is slightly exaggerated. International connections are limited to some direct trains (mostly night trains with sleeper berths) to →Slovakian cities, e.g. →Košice. It's not very easy to get to Germany by train - most connections are via →Cheb, which is one hour away. If you're heading for places in the south, for example Plzeň or →České Budějovice (Budweis), it would be better to take the bus. The same can be said about →Prague - although only 120 km away, it takes 3 to 4 hours to get there.

 

 

There are around 100 hot springs in and around Karlovy Vary, but only 12 are used commercially. Most of the springs were put into so-called colonnades (usually the name for a row of columns, but in Karlovy Vary the name for all buildings around springs). All springs are accessible to the public and the water is free of charge. You can drink it from beakers, for free, or stylish from lázeňský póharek - tiny white and blue china pots, which can be bought as a souvenir or rented for a few crowns. The springs deliver mostly sodium-bicarbonate-sulphuric acidulous waters, the water temperatur ranges between 30 and 72 degrees Celsius. The water includes around 40 different mineral substances. Detailed analyze reports are usually on display near the springs. One important question remains - does it taste good? Not really. As has been proved, drinking cures can be used to ease digestive tract problems, metabolic disorder (incl. diabetes) and circulatory disturbances as well as several problems with the limbs. Additionally, the invigorating mountain air is good for the lungs.

The baroque Maria Magdalena church
The baroque Maria Magdalena church

If you do not believe in drinking tepid salt water, you may stick to the so-called 13th spring - the (in)famous Becherovka (Karlsbader Becher) - an odd-tasting, light herb liquor.

If you are in Karlovary Vary just for one day, simply walk along the small Teplá river and enjoy the parks and colonnades. You can enjoy a view over the valley from the Rozhledna Diana (Diana observation tower), accessible on foot and via ropeway. In the Vřídelní (Sprudel) colonnade you can admire the hottest spring (72 degrees Celsius). Every minute, some 2000 liters come out from a layer 2500 meters deep with a fountain that shoots up 12 meters. The building housing the spring is comparatively new. Inside the hall you can pull a cup of water by yourself from different taps with different temperatures. Among the most impressive colonnades, the Tržní (market) colonnade and the Mlýnská (miller) colonnade should be mentioned - both are quite old and charming.

BTW: I visited Karlovy Vary three times or so but mostly without my camera. Thus only one, not very nice picture - more will follow after another visit....

 

 



Accommodation
Karlovy Vary - Hotel 9275

Western Bohemia Spas, Karlovy Vary
Capacity: 64 rooms
Price: 52.3 EUR to 178.2 EUR
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The villa was of exceptional architectural style was build in1890 by famous Viennese architects, Felner and Helmer, who also designed some of the most beautiful Carlsbad´s buildings like the Municipal Theatre, Imperial Bath etc. The hotel has been recently remodeled.



Location
The villa was of exceptional architectural style was build in1890 by famous Viennese architects, Felner and Helmer, who also designed some of the most beautiful Carlsbad´s buildings like the Municipal Theatre, Imperial Bath etc. The hotel has been recently remodeled.

Amenities and Services
Accommodation is provided in the main building and two depandances. In the manor, there are five double rooms, five Junior Suites, one Grand Suite and Mayor´s Apartment . Altogether18 double rooms are available in the depandances. Extra bed is available in some of the rooms. All rooms have satellite TV, minibar, telephone with direct dialing .
Hotel guests are welcome to the restaurant with a club bar (50 seats), the summer terrace overlooking the golf course and surrounding nature, to the lobby bar, and the chateau park where barbecues and garden parties are held.

Leisure Opportunities
18 hole golf course with a training HONEY COURSE,
hotel swimming pool, sightseeing tours to Karlovy Vary (Carlsbad), Mariánské Lázně (Marienbad), Loket etc.

Other Information
A conference area for up to 35 people available, reservation of spa treatment procedures, fishing, hunting. Baby cot available for small fee. Pets allowed, additional fee depends on the size. Parking available in front of the hotel


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Accommodation
Františkovy Lázně - Guesthouses 10217

Western Bohemia Spas, Cheb
Capacity: 24 rooms
Price: 24.1 EUR to 31.4 EUR
>>Make a Reservation

We offer an accommodation in a newly built family hotel which is situated in the rear part of the building.



Silvestr není k dispozici

Location
We offer an accommodation in a newly built family hotel which is situated in the rear part of the building.

Amenities and Services
There are eight double rooms, three single rooms, 2 three- to four-bedrooms, and two apartments. The rooms have their own bathroom with WC, satellite TV, balcony. A large terrace on the second floor of the family hotels is available for relaxation and rest of our guests. We offer also accommodation in our apartment or placing an extra bed to your room.

Leisure Opportunities
Family hotel is situated 5 min walk from the center of Františkovy Lázně. Nearby the hotel you will find sports and cultural facilities (tennis courts, bowling, cinema, theatre...)

Other Information
You can park your car on a private parking or in a garage directly at the hotel. In low season, one-night stay is acceptable. Mountain bike rent at the family hotel.
The price of accommodation includes a self service buffet breakfast and parking . We can arrange for discount dining (lunch, dinner) at one of our partner restaurants nearby the family hotel. Pets allowed upon preliminary agreement with fee of CZK 50 per day. Access to the Internet in the hotel available – will be charged.


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Accommodation
Karlovy Vary - Hotel 9331

Western Bohemia Spas, Karlovy Vary
Capacity: 64 rooms
Price: 44.1 EUR to 94.1 EUR
>>Make a Reservation

Hotel is situated in the center of Karlovy Vary. It offers high quality accommodation which will make your stay in the world famous spa even more enjoyable.



Silvestr není k dispozici

Location
Hotel is situated in the center of Karlovy Vary. It offers high quality accommodation which will make your stay in the world famous spa even more enjoyable.

Amenities and Services
It has 24 standard double rooms, 5 Se Luxe double rooms with balcony, four single rooms, two apartments and two suites. The rooms are furnished with WC, shower or bathtub, hair dryer, satellite TV, telephone with direct dialing, minibar and safe deposit box. Some rooms have a view of the Colonnade. The connection to WiFi internet available in the rooms. The apartment has two separate rooms with a shared bathroom, WC, shower, about 45 to 50 sq m, the capacity up to four persons). The suite (view of the Colonnade, two adjoining rooms with shared bathroom – WC and shower, capacity four persons, 45-50 sq m).
Café Restaurant with lounge and summer terrace overlooking the spa center with capacity of 90 seats. Excellent Czech and international cuisine with a choice of specialties.

Leisure Opportunities
Access to variety of sports activities like golf, horseback riding, canoeing, hunting, minigolf, paintball, pétanque, ricochet, fishing, tennis and others.

Other Information
Other services: laundry, taxi and minibus, exchange office, office services , access to the Internet .
Dogs allowed, additional fee. Baby cot available with fee of CZK 300 per night. Limited number of parking spaces about 100 meters from the hotel with fee of CZK 120 per night. Parking is not supervised.


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Accommodation
Karlovy Vary - Hotel 10537

Western Bohemia Spas, Karlovy Vary
Capacity: 405 rooms
Price: 33 EUR to 131.8 EUR
>>Make a Reservation

The recently restored, stylishly furnished, neo-classic Spa Hotel ****, provides high-level services and amenities to satisfy any guest.



Silvestr není k dispozici

Location
The recently restored, stylishly furnished, neo-classic Spa Hotel ****, provides high-level services and amenities to satisfy any guest.

Amenities and Services
The hotel offers accommodation in 33 single rooms, 169 double rooms, 15 apartments, one Presidential Apartment and one Diplomat Apartment. Apartments have two beds, in some an extra bed is possible. Rooms are furnished with stylish comfortable furniture, bathroom with shower or bathtub and hairdryer, WC with bidet, SAT TV, telephone with direct dialing and minibar. Access to the Internet available in apartments.
Hotel restaurant and two lounges available, convenient for business meetings, seminars, training, or family celebrations.

Other Information
The hotel also features a concert hall, beauty studio and indoor swimming pool. The Sport Centrum and the Indoor Golf Imperial within a short walking distance from the hotel.
Parking possible at a supervised car park. Baby cot available for free. Pets allowed, will be charged CZK 320 per day (pets are not allowed to the balneotherapy areas, to the restaurant and café). WiFi Internet connection at the hotel lounge, café and restaurant.


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Accommodation
Mariánské Lázně - Hotel 10158

Western Bohemia Spas, Cheb
Capacity: 149 rooms
Price: 23.2 EUR to 75.9 EUR
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Hotel** is situated right in the center of the spa part of the town - opposite the park with the spa colonnade and the “Singing Fountain”.



Location
Hotel** is situated right in the center of the spa part of the town - opposite the park with the spa colonnade and the “Singing Fountain”.

Amenities and Services
The hotel has 79 rooms with 149 beds: single rooms, double rooms, three-bed rooms and apartments.
Rooms of the II. category are equipped with washbasin with cold and hot water. Sufficient number of showers, bathrooms and WC available on the corridors.
26 rooms of the I. category have their own shower, WC, TV and telephone.
Barrier-free access is not available in the hotel.

Leisure Opportunities a surrounding
Marked tourist trails, well-kept marked bike trails (we can lend you bikes and cycling trail map). Indoor swimming pool, natural swimming pond Lido, golf course, horse-riding school, tennis courts, squash, fitness rooms, bowling.
Skiing in the "Skiarea" - 2 lifts + cableway, downhill ski runs both for children and experienced skiers. Groomed cross-country ski trails leading through the golf course and the Slavkovský les forest.
Teplá Monastery, the Chateau in Lázně Kynžvart Spa, Bečov Chateau and Castle, Loket Castle, historical town center of Cheb, the Kladská Nature Reserve.

Other Information
You can have classical massages right in the hotel. Solarium, hairdresser´s, beauty salon and pedicure also available. We can arrange for therapy in a salt cave, spa cures and relaxation procedures.
Reception desk with a small shop, copy machine and fax. Complimentary hotel safe box.
Baby cot available.
Pets allowed with fee of CZK 120 per night. Parking available within the hotel area, will be charged.


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Accommodation
Mariánské Lázně - Hotel 10429

Western Bohemia Spas, Cheb
Capacity: 60 rooms
Price: 38.9 EUR to 93.2 EUR
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The Hotel is perfectly located right opposite the Spa Colonnade in the Spa Center. Over half of the guest rooms have a balcony with a superb view of the City Center and the Spa Colonnade. A cozy hotel restaurant with a terrace overlooking the City is located on the upper ground of the building.



Silvestr není k dispozici

Location
The Hotel is perfectly located right opposite the Spa Colonnade in the Spa Center. Over half of the guest rooms have a balcony with a superb view of the City Center and the Spa Colonnade. A cozy hotel restaurant with a terrace overlooking the City is located on the upper ground of the building.

Amenities and Services
The Hotel offers altogether 30 double rooms with possibility of extra beds. Rooms are equipped with own bathroom with shower and WC, satellite TV and telephone with direct dialing. Eight rooms are barrier-free. Elevator is available. Safe deposit box is available at the reception desk. A cozy hotel restaurant with a panoramic terrace with 60 seats is located on the upper ground of the building.

Leisure Opportunities
Wellness Program:
Aromatherapy , lymfodrainage, hydrotherapy, oxygenotherapy, personalized exercise workout,
magnetotherapy, peat wrap and much more.

Other Information
Bathrobe available for a small fee.
Pets allowed with charge of CZK150 per night.
The hotel has its own supervised parking for up to six cars. Complimentary baby cot available


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Accommodation
Loket - Hotel 10384

Western Bohemia Spas, Sokolov
Capacity: 51 rooms
Price: 42 EUR to 48.2 EUR
>>Make a Reservation

A newly built hotel in the heart of Loket – the most romantic town of the Karlovy Vary region. Loket is a historical suburb of Karlovy Vary and used to be a popular summer destination of J. W. Goethe and attracts numerous visitors nowadays. The hotel is situated in the ancient town of Loket in the vicinity of a medieval castle. Its location makes it a convenient starting point for many interesting itineraries in the surroundings.



Silvestr není k dispozici

Location
A newly built hotel in the heart of Loket – the most romantic town of the Karlovy Vary region. Loket is a historical suburb of Karlovy Vary and used to be a popular summer destination of J. W. Goethe and attracts numerous visitors nowadays. The hotel is situated in the ancient town of Loket in the vicinity of a medieval castle. Its location makes it a convenient starting point for many interesting itineraries in the surroundings.

Amenities and Services
The hotel offers 23 spacious rooms with 51 beds, these consist of: 20 double rooms, one three-bed room and two four-bed rooms. Each room has a telephone, satellite TV, WC and shower. There is a stylish restaurant, a brewery with a beer pub, summer terrace, elevator, sauna and whirlpool. Family rooms for parents with children are also available.

Leisure Opportunities
You definitely should not miss the medieval Loket Castle. The town of Loket boasts unique architectural sights like the ancient stone Castle of Loket, Slavic Rotund, City Hall, the Baroque Church of St. Wenceslas, Trinity Column, St. Anna Church. You may like to visit the Chateau in Bečov nad Teplou and the Shrine of Saint Maur, Mariánské Lázně, Karlovy Vary or Františkovy Lázně Spas.

Other Information
A part of the hotel is its own brewery and beer pub which serves a semi-dark beer, a classical Czech stock beer, made of natural products. Electronic locking system parking available. S Dogs allowed without fee.


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Accommodation
Loket - Guesthouses 10446

Western Bohemia Spas, Sokolov
Capacity: 30 rooms
Price: 18.2 EUR to 27.3 EUR
>>Make a Reservation

The family hotel is situated at the edge of the historical center of the Loket town. Thanks to its convenient location at the river it has a unique view of the Loket Castle from every room and the terrace. It is only 300 m from the town center. The town of Loket is popular with tourists for its rich cultural and sports program. Below the castle, at the elbow of the Ohře River, there is the Loket Amphitheater (operas, music festivals, theater performances etc.). You may be also interested in visiting the motocross area or just have a rest in stylish pubs and restaurants



Location
The family hotel is situated at the edge of the historical center of the Loket town. Thanks to its convenient location at the river it has a unique view of the Loket Castle from every room and the terrace. It is only 300 m from the town center. The town of Loket is popular with tourists for its rich cultural and sports program. Below the castle, at the elbow of the Ohře River, there is the Loket Amphitheater (operas, music festivals, theater performances etc.). You may be also interested in visiting the motocross area or just have a rest in stylish pubs and restaurants

Amenities and Services
The hotel consists of:
3 double rooms with possibility of one or two extra bed, shower corner, WC, balcony, SAT TV.
One five-bed apartment - two rooms with two and three beds, common entrance room, own shower corner, WC, balcony, SAT TV.
Lounge:
A newly furnished room can be used as a friendly sitting area and a kitchenette. Two kitchen units opened all day long, fridge with freezer and other kitchen equipment. This room is ideal for a group of people to spend a pleasant evening.

Parking: Directly in front of the house, also on the opposite site of the road.

Leisure Opportunities
The family hotel offers a perfect base for traveling around the Karlovy Vary region and the Loket surrounding with numerous recreation possibilities. The town lies within the West Boehmian spa triangle, so you should certainly not miss Karlovy Vary (Carlsbad). Also Mariánské Lázně and Františkovy Lázně spas are definitely worth seeing. The Loket town is surrounded with beautiful nature of the Slavkovský les Landscape Protected Area, convenient not only for walking and hiking but also for cycling and boating. The recreation area at the Michal water reservoir invites you to spend hot summer days there while in winter season you can enjoy ski runs in the Krušné hory Mts.


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Accommodation
Karlovy Vary - Hotel 9277

Western Bohemia Spas, Karlovy Vary
Capacity: 52 rooms
Price: 26.6 EUR to 47.7 EUR
>>Make a Reservation

The hotel is situated in the center of Karlovy Vary (Carlsbad).



Location
The hotel is situated in the center of Karlovy Vary (Carlsbad).

Amenities and Services
The hotel offers accommodation in ten double rooms, six three-bed rooms and in one apartment. The rooms are equipped with own bathroom, TV and fridge. The single rooms have their own bathroom on the corridor, though.
Dining is offered in the hotel restaurant.

Leisure Opportunities
The hotel is ready to arrange spa treatment procedures for our guests. The spa facility is located 5 min walk from the hotel.

Other Information
Parking is 5 min walk from the hotel in an underground garage, on M. Horákové square, at CZK 300 per day. Another parking is at Thermal Hotel, also 5 min walk from the hotel, at CZK 150 per day.
Pets are allowed (without fee).


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Accommodation
Karlovy Vary - Hotel 10744

Western Bohemia Spas, Karlovy Vary
Capacity: 70 rooms
Price: 19.3 EUR to 43.6 EUR
>>Make a Reservation

The Hotel is located not far from the business and spa centre of Karlovy Vary. Our hotel is located near major-road to Prague and a bus stop of city transport right in front of the Eurohotel Garni. The whole building has been newly reconstructed with its own garden and the car park is watched by a video-camera.



Silvestr není k dispozici

Location
The Hotel is located not far from the business and spa centre of Karlovy Vary. Our hotel is located near major-road to Prague and a bus stop of city transport right in front of the Eurohotel Garni. The whole building has been newly reconstructed with its own garden and the car park is watched by a video-camera.

Amenities and Services
You can find here:
- 6 single rooms
- 27 double rooms
- 1 four-bed room
- 2 suites
The total capacity is 70 beds.
The rooms have their own WC, shower, minibar and TV-satellite.
We offer buffet breakfast.
The car park and spa tax is included in the price of a room.
Our hotel provides a pleasant and calm stay.

Leisure Activities
The town was founded by the Roman Emperor and Czech King Charles IV in 1358. Its natural hot springs with the temperature from 42 to 73 C play an important role in a wide range of spa procedures with drinking cures.


>>Make a Reservation

I've never stayed inside the city, therefore no recommendation. One thing is for sure - to stay in Karlovy Vary is more expensive than staying in other cities. One of the reasons is a health resort tax of 15 Kč per night and person. There seems to be no pension or hotel charging less than 350 Kč. Especially during the summer months it's better to book in advance since the city might get crowded.

 

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