The Grandhotel Pupp: Stay at one of Czechia's most iconic five-star hotels

The Grandhotel Pupp, one of the Czech Republic's most iconic five-star hotels thanks to its striking interiors and exterior that have starred in numerous domestic and foreign films – including Casino Royale, Shanghai Knights, and Last Holiday – has been a landmark fixture in Karlovy Vary since the 18th century.

The famed neo-baroque hotel plays a central role in the city’s annual international film festival, attracting the industry’s glitterati and hosting several renowned soirées each season. It's also a prime spot for those seeking a luxury spa getaway. Stepping through its stately front doors today will immediately transport you to a bygone era.    

The Pupp’s story begins in 1701. Karlovy Vary’s mineral springs were steadily attracting aristocrats from around Europe, and the city built Saxony Hall to hold elaborate balls for its many notable visitors, which, over the years, would include the likes of Beethoven, Bach, Kafka, and Goethe. The hall served as the blueprint of what would eventually become one of the most renowned hotels in the world.   

Johann Georg Pupp arrived in the city in 1760, establishing himself in the local confectionery business. But his ambitions, as it turned out, lay elsewhere. He and his wife soon started buying shares in Saxony Hall and the other buildings that had been slowly going up in the city center – some 300 meters from the spa colonnade – laying the foundation for the Pupp family hotel dynasty.

Six generations of the Pupp family would contribute to the development of this unique property. The sprawling Grandhotel Pupp is the product of the gradual consolidation and reconstruction of houses that the Pupps acquired over the course of three centuries. As a result, no two guest rooms are completely identical, though each comes with modern amenities like Wi-Fi and 24-hour room service.  

The Grandhotel Pupp is divided into three buildings.

Riverside is the main neo-baroque part of the hotel, which has served as a social meeting place since 1894. Here, you’ll find the hotel restaurants, café, and a spa. The Imperial and Presidential Suites, which regularly host film festival stars, are located in this part of the hotel.

Parkside, the oldest part of the hotel, was built in 1877 near the original Pupp alley. The rooms and suites in this building are the hotel’s most affordable options, making it an ideal base for a family or group holiday. Its centerpiece is the Marble Hall, where breakfast and dinner are served.  

Pupp Quisisana Depandance, meanwhile, will charm you with its unmistakable elegance. The building is a combination of neo-renaissance, neo-gothic and neo-baroque architecture. Anton Pupp had it built at the end of the 19th century for his wife, Maria Mattoni. The Meat & Bone Steakhouse, which specializes in steaks and seafood, is located in this area.

When it comes to wining and dining, the Pupp’s kitchen follows three basic pillars: fresh and honest ingredients, proven local suppliers and traditional Czech recipes. 

Enjoy tenderloin in cream sauce with Carlsbad dumplings, homemade cranberry compote, and celery salad at Malá Dvorana, a design restaurant and lobby bar. For something a little more upscale, reserve a table at the Grandrestaurant. The menu by Michelin-trained chef Ondřej Koráb includes duck leg confit, veal schnitzel, and pea risotto. 

At Pupp Quisisana Depandance, the Meat & Bone Steakhouse prepares steaks mainly from the Aberdeen Angus breed, complemented by cuts of premium meats from local producers and world specialties such as Wagyu. The wine list offers the best of the Old World, represented by France and Italy. In addition, the restaurant offers New World wines from Argentina and Chile and a unique selection of more than 120 premium spirits.

At Café Pupp, be sure to try the Pupp cake that is prepared according to Johann Georg’s original recipe, which contains the traditional Carlsbad herbal liqueur Becherovka.

Wrap up your day with a stop at Becher's Bar, a nightclub with the atmosphere of an English club known for its specialty cocktails, like the Vesper 007 cocktail, a blend created right in Becher's Bar for the Bond film Casino Royale. Behind the bar, you’ll likely find Vítězslav Cirok, one of the best bartenders in the world.

The spacious and well-equipped Spa Franziska represents a modern concept of Karlovy Vary’s spa tradition. The large pool with a swimming jet, whirlpools and sauna area are complemented by a fitness center with a cardio zone. If you wish to relax in privacy, the spa staff can prepare a private spa suite for you and your friends. Ayurvedic massages are also available.

Treat yourself with the most popular aesthetic medicine therapies for facial and body rejuvenation, muscle strengthening and remodeling, wrinkle smoothing and deep hydration at the hotel’s Asklepion Clinic. 

From its renowned spa facilities and ornate architecture to its panoramic hiking trails, impressive museum offering and historic landmarks, Karlovy Vary will keep you busy year round. 

The city sits at the base of the Ore Mountains, which turn into a ski paradise during winter, with numerous slopes to explore, making the Pupp a great base for a ski getaway. The runs at Klínovec and the Plešivec ski resort are both popular spots, and day passes to both destinations can be arranged at the hotel reception.    

Whether you are planning a weekend or a week-long stay, the Karlovy Vary Regional Card is a great way to visit many of the area’s top sights for free.   

Rountinuely ranked as one of the top historic hotels in Europe, the Grandhotel Pupp, which lies on the banks of the Teplá River, is among Karlovy Vary’s main attractions, and it’s not hard to see why. From its impressive architecture and unique interior design to its exceptional dining options and spa treatments, this five-star property has lived up to its reputation.  

Book a one-of-a-kind guest room or suite, and enjoy some traditional Czech cuisine at the Pupp’s upscale restaurants and cafe before pampering yourself at its exclusive spa center, where you can relax in a herbal bath or choose from a customized treatment plan.