Immerse yourself in a captivating world where decades of famous stories come alive, captured in a timeless Art Deco style that continues to write the history of Prague luxury to this day.
A Living Legend in the Heart of Prague
Our story began in 1932. It was then, thanks to the bold vision of our founder and architect Alois Krofta, that the doors of the Alcron Hotel first opened. An iconic “Grande Dame” of the Prague hospitality scene, it was a symbol of world-class luxury from its very inception. History walked through these halls; it was a meeting place for the brightest stars of the silver screen, jazz legends, and global statesmen. We have lived through the glamour of the First Republic, the turbulent moments of war, years of espionage during the Cold War, and the joyful return of freedom.
A Visionary with a Bold Dream
The story of our hotel is inextricably linked with the architect and builder Ing. Alois Krofta, one of the most prominent pioneers of interwar architecture in Czechoslovakia. Krofta possessed an extraordinary gift for seeing Prague as a diamond in the rough, never hesitating to take risks even during times of post-war crisis. He was the first in Prague to utilize modern tower cranes for construction, breathed life into the new district around Flora, and gradually built a reputation as a builder whose projects were highly original, precise, and technically flawless.
His ultimate life triumph came with his decision to give Prague a world-class hotel that would remedy the capital’s poor reputation for accommodating international visitors at the time. Thus, in 1932, he opened a luxurious Art Deco style hotel, its name crafted from the initial letters of his own name—ALois KROfta—while drawing inspiration from the mythical Greek ship Alcron. The hotel became an overnight sensation and a technological marvel of its era, featuring its own backup power generators, underground garages with a service station, and an advanced signaling system to summon staff to the rooms.
However, with the arrival of World War II and the subsequent communist regime in 1948, the idyll came to an end, and Krofta was forced to witness the nationalization of his beloved life’s work. Alongside the hotel, he lived a novel-like story full of twists with his first wife, Olga, who, through wartime resistance work and emigration, eventually worked her way up to become the world’s very first female operator of giant oil tankers. Although Alois Krofta passed away in 1958 with a broken heart, his dedication to innovation and absolute exclusivity remains a solid foundation upon which Almanac X Prague continues to build today.
Fateful Moments That Tested the Strength of an Icon
The story of our hotel has always faithfully mirrored the destiny of Prague itself. When World War II struck Europe in 1939, the Alcron had to face its first major trial. Alois Krofta was forced to hand over the daily management of the hotel into foreign hands to protect its very existence, while his wife, Olga, bravely joined the anti-Nazi resistance. It was a period filled with tension that took a heavy toll on their personal lives as well.
Another pivotal turning point came in 1948 with the nationalization of the property. The hotel passed under state administration, which marked the end of a deeply personal era for Alois Krofta, who had poured his entire heart and vision into it.
Yet, even during these challenging decades, the hotel preserved its pride. Although the pages of the guest book were filled with the signatures of official delegations rather than global maharajas, the noble Art Deco soul of the Alcron waited quietly within, ready for the moment it could shine at full strength once again.
Stories Written into the Hotel Walls
The 1960s and the Prague Spring era breathed new life and a breath of international freedom into the hotel. The Alcron became a sought-after sanctuary for global cultural icons and the unofficial headquarters for prestigious Western media outlets such as the New York Times, Boston Globe, and Associated Press. Jazz legends Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald found their haven here. Another regular patron was the famous director Miloš Forman, who drew inspiration in the hotel bar from the fates of the guests of that era—it was right here that the idea for his world-renowned film Loves of a Blonde was born, inspired by the poignant life of a beautiful girl from Zruč who sought her fortune at the bar.
The most dramatic night, however, came on August 20, 1968, when foreign correspondents were debating over drinks as usual. Around midnight, the calm evening was pierced by the roaring sound of aircraft. While the British writer Graham Greene was fast asleep in one of the rooms, Czech-speaking reporter Petr Rehak from the Associated Press instantly recognized the gravity of the situation, rushed down to the reception, and sent the world’s very first urgent dispatch via the hotel teletype, announcing that Czechoslovakia was being occupied by Warsaw Pact troops. In the ensuing chaos, the legendary American actress Shirley Temple Black, who was staying at the hotel, had to be swiftly evacuated to Munich by a US Embassy vehicle—yet destiny would have it that she returned to Prague in 1989 as the United States Ambassador.
To commemorate this pivotal evening, an extraordinary tradition was born in the hotel bar, enduring for many years. On the 21st day of every month, foreign journalists would regularly organize what they called the “Charter Flight to Dubrovnik Dinner”. Gathering around a single table, they dined together, keeping alive the remarkable professional and personal bond that connected them to the hotel. This steadfast sense of togetherness and respect for rituals ran so deep throughout the entire property that, according to contemporaries, even the British Empire itself could have paled in envy.
This era also had its darker, almost cinematic espionage side. When the archives of the communist State Security were declassified after the fall of the regime, it was revealed that both the hotel and its staff were under constant pressure. The secret police kept files on individual journalists that exceeded a thousand pages. To surveillance the guests at the Alcron, the StB even went as far as inventing a unique eavesdropping device built directly into the ashtrays, which carried the code name Alcron in secret technical files.
A New Beginning
The fall of the communist regime in 1989 brought long-awaited freedom to the country, and for our hotel, it marked the beginning of a brilliant new era. In the wild 1990s, the descendants of our founder Alois Krofta asserted their restitution claim, and the hotel, which at the time was in dire need of extensive care, was subsequently sold. By the late 1990s, under the wings of the family-owned company WSF Group (now Almanac Hotels), a spectacular return to the absolute pinnacle of the Prague hotel scene began to take shape.
Stardust returned to the hotel rooms and corridors in full glory. Whenever the world’s biggest celebrities visited Prague during this era, their steps led straight to us. We had the honor of hosting Hollywood actor John Malkovich, rock legends Lou Reed and Nick Cave, pop icon Cher, and Henri, the Grand Duke of Luxembourg.
In addition to accommodating the global elite, the hotel also made history in the culinary world. Bold visions, along with the introduction of international standards and modern culinary trends, turned our Alcron restaurant into a legendary destination. This long-standing journey toward culinary perfection was officially crowned with a prestigious Michelin star, which the restaurant held until 2017. The iconic “Grande Dame” thus proved to the entire world that her elegance and exclusivity are truly eternal.
Tradition in a Modern Coat
In March 2023, a new chapter began to unfold in the chronicle of our hotel. Under the leadership of the family-owned company Almanac Hotels, which has owned the property since 1995, the former Alcron Hotel underwent an extensive, deeply sensitive renovation, introducing itself to the world under a fresh concept as Almanac X Alcron Prague. The goal was not to erase history, but rather to celebrate it with profound respect and carry its unique atmosphere into the twenty-first century.
The unique interior design was masterminded by the Spanish creative studio Tres Cinco Uno in collaboration with the Czech Marani Studio. The architects drew inspiration from idyllic walks along the Vltava riverbanks and the unmistakable architecture of the magical Old Town. The result is an elegant, minimalist design where historical elements seamlessly blend with a modern, chic style.
Furthermore, the historical heart of the hotel remained untouched. The original rare wood paneling, marble details, and the historic fireplace were all carefully preserved in the lobby and restaurant. By removing a dividing wall, the space also regained its original, natural daylight. The Alcron Bar underwent an exceptional transformation as well; its Art Deco design stands today as a direct tribute to the muses and powerful women of the First Republic era.