Čertousy Hotel - History

Čertousy Hotel introduces itself

The Čertousy Hotel, a certified three-star hotel, was opened in 1999 after an extensive reconstruction of an estate located in the eastern part of Prague, not far from the Černý Most shopping center on the main route leading to Horní Počernice, near exits from both motorways. The idea to build a hotel from the original agricultural buildings of a historical estate in Prague 9, Horní Počernice, occurred to the owners while they were trying to decide on the scheme of reconstruction of the buildings they acquired in restitution. As they have professional experience in hotel industry and as there are no hotel facilities in this area, they finally resolved to build a hotel.

The conception of the hotel building was based on the specific features of the estate (a 110m long linear construction consisting of 5 farm buildings) and the overall style of the area characterized by diversity, different age and location of the original buildings and also by the adjacent pond. The main focus of the architectural plan was to combine comfortable accommodation with a pleasant, unpretentious, old country style and distinctive colors used not only in the interior but also in the exterior. A stone walled courtyard with ancient lamps adds the final touch to the genuine atmosphere of old country manors, so agreeable and so gratifying.

Thanks to fact that the buildings had been a part of an estate, they have an interesting history. In 1322, the Čertousy Courtyard (Tyrczus) was owned by Seiboth from Benešov, a rich burger. In 1357 it was sold by his son to the archbishop Arnošt from Pardubice, who bought the Courtyard to provide for the material welfare of Charles University. In 1366, the Courtyard passed into the ownership of the newly founded Charles College as is documented in its foundation charter. After the Hussitte Wars, the Courtyard again passed to the hands of the Masters of the Charles College. In 1639, during the Thirty Year’s War, the Courtyard was ravaged by the Swedes but the owners, Masters of the Charles College, repaired it. In 1906, the Courtyard passed to the hands of the ancestors of the present owners. In 1948, the Courtyard was nationalized, moving into another stage of major devastation (seven original buildings were pulled down, all wells were filled up and the adjacent pond was polluted) and in the 1980s, the state-owned organization of Prague estates even considered its complete demolition and replacement with a large-scale heifer farm and piggery. Fortunately, due to the social changes after 1989, these “bold socialistic plans” were abandoned. In 1994, the descendants of the original owners started a fast reconstruction of the remaining historic buildings of the Čertousy farm courtyard.

The hotel offers accommodation in 28 atypical double-rooms, of which 2 are apartments, 2 manager-style rooms and 2 rooms for immobile persons. The rooms have bathrooms with a bath and are equipped with satellite TV, telephone, internet access and a key card system. Visitors can also use the hotel’s central safe. The ground floor of the hotel is barrier-free and features a stylish restaurant for 57 persons and a meeting room for 140 persons with modern technical equipment and convertible furniture, which makes it possible to use the room in many different ways. The hotel also offers 4 lounges, each with the capacity of up to 15 seats and full service.

A garden restaurant with pergola and dance floor can be accessed through the restaurant, offering relaxation in a pleasant environment and a possibility to organize events with music and dancing or a grilling or barbecue party in the hotel courtyard for up to 80 persons. Hanging above the pond, there is also a terrace for 20 persons. On the first floor of the hotel, the café divides the hall with hotel rooms into two parts. The atmosphere of the café is enhanced by the original wooden roof beams that are several hundred years old. The hotel precincts further offer a parking lot for 80 cars. At night, the entrance to the parking lot can be opened with the hotel key card. The hotel’s cuisine offers both typical Czech meals and a wide range of international meals. Further, there are many local entertainment facilities, e.g. an inline skating route, a petanque court, four clay tennis courts and indoor tennis courts with synthetic surface, riding horses (riding courses) and an indoor riding hall, routes for cycling, tourism and jogging etc.

For golf lovers there are 2 golf courses (5km to Mstětice and Klánovice and 10km to Borek u Staré Boleslavi). The original precincts also include a wine cellar. Apart from quality cask wines from Moravia, other selected variety wines including suitable foods are served. The cellar accommodates 55 people sitting. The atmosphere of the original stone vaults may be further enhanced by live music performances.

Each of the hotel and restaurant facilities mentioned above provide comprehensive services, offering the possibility of hosting celebrations and events of any kind (jubilees, weddings incl. wedding ceremonies in the café or outside on the terrace, New Year’s entertainment programs, corporate events – trainings, seminars, presentations, contracting exhibitions, business meetings, exhibitions, concerts, dance parties etc.). Assistance in organizing cultural-educational events focusing on Prague and the region is also provided.