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Czech Republic: Kempinski Hotels will open its Augustine Hotel in Prague in early 2027, set within an active 800-year-old monastery.
Located in Prague’s historic Malá Strana district, the hotel occupies seven historic buildings within the 13th-century Augustinian Monastery of St. Thomas and will undergo extensive renovation to bridge the monastery’s history and Kempinski’s branding. The hotel’s theme is “lived duality” — a dialogue between the civic and the secular, as well as between heritage and tradition.
“Kempinski Augustine Hotel, Prague will embody what we believe is the future of experiential travel: deeply individual and intentional — always connected to the place and its people; rich with history, but always evolving,” said Rasha Lababidi, Kempinski Group’s chief product, experience and communications officer.
The hotel will establish its identity as “the living room of the city” and aim to create a community-led setting that feels both residential and social. A key element will be a residential-style bar surrounded by cosy nooks and gathering spaces for guests and locals to connect.
The living room also features a “collector’s table,” which showcases the work of Czech artisans, as well as a “Living City Ceiling” created in collaboration with an emerging local artist.
Elements of the building’s historic architecture and monastic elements are integrated into the hotel’s contemporary setting. The hotel’s design is led by LDS Design Studio, and guests can find elements with Gothic, Baroque and Bohemian influences within the hotel, as well as details drawn from the monastery life at St. Augustine.
“Augustine is a place of extraordinary contrasts,” said Massimo Severo Barbera, LDS’s creative director. “We wanted to preserve that sense of duality — the quiet and the joyful, the historic and the contemporary — and create spaces that encourage both contemplation and connection. Every room and public space has been conceived as part of a larger story of Prague.”
The hotel hosts 101 guest rooms including 20 suites, many of which feature original vaulted ceilings and wooden beams from the monks’ former living quarters. Details across the accommodations, such as the tapestries and the colour palette, draw inspirations from Prague’s rooftops and gardens. Additionally, the hotel’s signature suites will offer more immersive expressions of Prague’s cultural history.
Food and beverage at the hotel are developed in partnership with Gorgeous Group and Russell Sage Studio, showcasing a salon-style neighbourhood dining room that offer live music alongside meals. Furthermore, the bar will offer a 12-gate cocktail program inspired by George Ripley’s 12 alchemical steps as well as locally crafted seasonal drinks. Together, the food and drink scene add the hotel’s overall experience of combining history with community.
“Augustine gives us an extraordinary canvas because its history is still alive,” said Robbie Bargh, founder and partner of Gorgeous Group. “Our ambition is to create desirable hospitality experiences that respect history, whilst giving people new reasons to gather, return and make their own memories here.”
The hotel’s physical transformation will be complemented by The E.R.A.s — Experience Real Access, Kempinski’s program designed to connect guests with the people, places and experiences of a destination, as designed by Resident Curators.
With its unique location within a working monetary, guests at The Augustine get to explore the city through craftspeople and local figures who can offer perspectives beyond the traditional tourist experience.
“Augustine allows us to unlock something that is increasingly rare in luxury hospitality: genuine access to a living piece of history,” Lababidi said. “The monks, the artists, the makers, the spaces and the stories all contribute to a sense of place that is uniquely Prague. Our role is to curate that access in a way that feels natural, meaningful and deeply personal.”
Highlights:
- Kempinski Hotels will open the Augustine Hotel Prague in early 2027, following an extensive renovation of seven historic buildings within the 13th-century Augustinian Monastery of St. Thomas in Prague’s Malá Strana district. The monastery remains active, making the property a distinctive heritage-led luxury hospitality destination
- The hotel will feature 101 guest rooms, including 20 suites, many incorporating original vaulted ceilings and wooden beams from the monks’ former living quarters. Its design, led by LDS Design Studio, blends Gothic, Baroque and Bohemian influences with contemporary interiors inspired by Prague’s rooftops, gardens and cultural heritage
- Augustine Hotel Prague will centre its guest experience on the concept of “lived duality”, bringing together monastic history and contemporary luxury, contemplation and social interaction. Its residential-style bar, gathering spaces, Czech artisan displays and locally commissioned artwork are designed to establish the hotel as a community hub for guests and residents
- The hotel’s food and beverage offering will combine neighbourhood dining, live music and locally inspired cocktails. Developed in partnership with Gorgeous Group and Russell Sage Studio, the programme includes a salon-style dining room, a cocktail menu inspired by George Ripley’s 12 alchemical steps and seasonal drinks crafted with local influences
- Kempinski will introduce its E.R.A.s (Experience Real Access) programme at the property, connecting guests with Prague’s craftspeople, artists, local figures and cultural stories through Resident Curators. The initiative aims to provide access to the city’s living heritage beyond conventional tourist experiences
