Hotel Josef
Rybna, Prague

Through the looking-glass. Which is what one can inadvertently attempt, so lavish has been architect Eva Jircina's use of glass.Bump, ouch. It's probably the only hotel for which it's prudent to pack Band-Aid. The bar, staircase, desks, showers and bathroom wall are glass and the lobby has illuminated, curved glass, sticky - out bits. In this glacial world the only points of reference are orange chairs. My, it's cool. It's in the Josefov, the former Jewish ghetto (and setting of Bruce Chatwin's novel Utz), and within walking distance of every sight. Prague makes for a great weekend. For more minimalist design, eat at Square, one of the city's new Generation of modern restaurants but with the cooking of Bohemia, which was once considered among the best in Europe.