Hotel Questenberg
History and Architecture
Monasteries have always had a mission to care for the poor and needy. Abbot Kašpar of Questenberg, after whom our hotel is named, built a hospital with the chapel of St. Elizabeth in 1622 on the site of the former Imperial Gate (remnants of which can still be seen in front of the main monastery gate). This institution had a capacity for 16 elderly men and women. The construction cost a total of 16,100 gold coins, but the abbot also managed to create an endowment of 28,000 gold coins to finance the operation. He personally contributed one thousand gold coins on behalf of the monastery, the former Strahov Premonstratensian Archbishop Lohel added another thousand, and the abbot's brothers Gerard, Heřman, and Jan of Questenberg, who worked in high imperial services, donated the remaining sum of 26,000 gold coins. However, the abbot's poorhouse was demolished after his death in 1664 to make way for the aforementioned Imperial Gate and adjacent bastion, part of the Baroque fortifications of Prague. The monastery was compensated with 6,000 gold coins. Abbot Vincenc Makarius Frank, with the help of builder Jan Jiří Gottwieck, constructed a new hospital between 1665-68—our hotel Questenberg—whose front wall resembles a church facade. This hospital also had a chapel dedicated to St. Elizabeth. In 1726, the hospital was baroqued and received a new staircase with a beautiful stone calvary in front of the facade. The hospital even served as a refuge for the monastery, as masses were held in the local chapel in 1742 when the monastery basilica suffered heavy damage from French shelling of Prague from the nearby Strahov heights. Emperor Joseph II closed the hospital on April 18, 1787, and ordered it to be turned into a parish school. After the emperor's death, Abbot Milon Grün managed to restore the hospital. Interestingly, from the restoration of the hospital until 1880, no mass was ever held in the chapel, which was remedied in the mentioned year by Abbot Zikmund Starý, and since then, mass has been held there at least once a year. The hospital residents gathered in the chapel for common prayers for the monastery, from whose property they were housed.
The building of today's Hotel Questenberg has retained many of its original architectural features. While walking through the hotel corridors, you can admire authentic wooden beams, stone portals, and other historical elements. Since 2021, Hotel Questenberg has been once again under the care of the Royal Canonry of Premonstratensians at Strahov.
Accommodation and Amenities
The room amenities are a combination of traditional and modern design. Room amenities include Wi-Fi internet access, a television, and a minibar. A safety deposit box is also available in the room. Some rooms offer panoramic views of Prague Castle, Strahov Monastery, or the ancient rooftops of Malá Strana, depending on which room you choose. Each room is individually heated or air-conditioned.
Dining
The hotel offers breakfast for its guests from 7:00 to 10:30. During the summer months, the outdoor garden is open from 10:30 to 18:00, providing visitors with stunning views of the Prague skyline. Here, you can enjoy not only drinks but also hot meals according to the daily menu.
Location
Hotel Questenberg boasts a prime location, which is one of its greatest advantages. It is just a short distance from major landmarks such as Prague Castle, Loreta, and Strahov Monastery. At the same time, Hotel Questenberg is sufficiently away from the main tourist routes, ensuring a peaceful retreat. In short, it serves as an ideal starting point for exploring the city.
To Book Accomodation
