Apartment by Pepsi

Honestly, I wasn’t sure what to expect from a place called “Apartment by Pepsi” – I mean, that name had me scratching my head at first. But here’s the thing about this little spot on Lázeňská Street: it’s actually become one of my go-to recommendations for people who want to stay right in the thick of Karlovy Vary’s spa district without breaking the bank.

The location is what really gets me excited about this place. You’re literally a two-minute walk from the Mill Colonnade, and I’m not exaggerating – I’ve timed it. You know how some hotels claim they’re “near everything” but you end up hiking uphill for twenty minutes with your luggage? Not here. You can roll out of bed and be sipping that famous (and honestly, pretty awful-tasting) thermal water before you’re even fully awake. The building itself sits on one of those charming cobblestone streets that make Karlovy Vary feel like a fairy tale, though fair warning – those same cobblestones will make you grateful you packed light.

What surprised me most was how quiet it stays, even during the busy summer months when the town is crawling with German and Russian tourists. The apartments – and they really are proper apartments, not just hotel rooms with a mini-fridge – have these thick walls that seem to muffle most of the street noise. I stayed there during the film festival once (complete chaos everywhere else) and could barely hear the crowds. The 9.1 rating makes total sense when you factor in little touches like actually having counter space in the kitchenette and windows that open properly – you’d be amazed how many places in the old town have those tiny casement windows that barely crack open. Check-in was refreshingly straightforward too, none of that “sorry, your room isn’t ready until 4 PM even though you called ahead” nonsense that seems to plague half the hotels in this tourist-heavy town.

Look, it’s not going to wow you with marble lobbies or concierge services – it’s a solid three-star spot that knows exactly what it is. But there’s something to be said for a place that gets the basics absolutely right. The apartments are clean (that new-carpet smell when you walk in), the beds are actually comfortable, and you’ve got enough space to spread out your stuff without living out of a suitcase. Plus, having a proper kitchen means you can grab groceries from the Billa down the street instead of paying hotel restaurant prices for every meal. The thermal baths at Hotel Thermal are just a quick walk up the hill if you want the full spa experience, but honestly, half the charm of staying here is being able to duck back to your own space between all the spa-hopping and wandering around the colonnades.

Best hotels in Karlovy Vary range from charming boutique properties in the historic spa district to elegant grand hotels with stunning views of the thermal valley and surrounding forests.