I stayed at the Raffaello with my family while visiting Prague, and it was quite a disappointment for us.

The hotel is presented as 4-star but it's not remotely a 4-star hotel by usual standards. It's an extremely old building with pretty basic service. When we arrived the elevators didn't work and the girl at the frontdesk didn't even offer help to get our luggage to our rooms in the top floor. The lobby is small and basic.

The hotel offered complimentary breakfast, which was also pretty basic and served in the basement.

About the rooms, we were given a huge 2-story, 2 bathroom suite which was very comfortable. The room and beds were good (not very good, though) and the bathrooms were new and convenient. However, the room lacked many amenities expectable in a 4-star hotel: air conditioning, toiletries, etc.

The location has pros and cons. It's a shabby neighborhood, not pleasant to walk through. However, it's within walking distance to Wenceslas Square (less than 10 min) and Old Town (about 20 min), and steps from the subway and the tram. There're also a couple of places to eat nearby (nice Italian restaurant in the corner, various fast food outlets in Wenceslas Square).

All in all, it wasn't a completely negative experience and I might stay there again, but I do think there must be better options in Prague for similar rates.

Stayed here with my wife for Christmas, we where greeted by a very pleasant receptionist, who explained everything in very good English. Room was neat, tidy, clean and very warm. Requested a couple of extra pillows and they where brought up in a few minutes.
Breakfast was fine, a good choice of fruit, yoghurt, breads, eggs, frankfurters, fruit juice, tea or coffee. Hotel is ideally situated for walking to Wenceslass Square, Old town and Charles bridge. The tram stop a few minutes from the door is where to catch the tram up to the castle.
Loads of places nearby for food and drink, although we went to the old town most nights. Would not hesitate to stay there again.

We visited Prague in August 2011. It's a beautiful city and will definitely go back. We stayed at hotel Raffaello which is located in the historical district near (not very) Wenceslas square. The room was quite nice and the washroom was spic and span. The hotel has a certain charm to it. It was probably the best hotel we stayed at during our entire trip. The location was excellent as it was very close (just around the corner) to the metro and tram station, the person at the reception was very helpful and friendly. The only thing is that you don't get wireless in the rooms but it's there in the lobby. Some people may feel that the walk to Wenceslas square and old town is a lot but we loved walking as it helped get a feel of the city and then the metro station is extremely close.
If you're a budget traveler it's great value for money. Even otherwise I would recommend the hotel.

My husband and I stayed at this hotel for 5 nights over Thanksgiving in November. We stayed in room 503 - one of their apartment rooms - only available on the 5th floor.

First off - this is not a 4 star hotel by USA standards - expect more a 2.5 or 3 star hotel.

Plus - location, cleanliness, breakfast, room size, staff.
MInus - broken elevator, broken mini bar fridge, cigarette smell in common areas.

The biggest thing is their elevator is BROKEN. Looking at past reviews it has been for a while. They said they are waiting for a part and it will be fixed "next week". They offered to move us to an apartment room in a sister hotel nearby or to move us to a regular room on a lower floor. We did not do either as a friend was joining us at the hotel later in the week and I wanted the kitchen as I am vegan (strict vegetarian) and wanted the option to cook if needed.

Even with the elevator there are stairs to climb - this is not the hotel for you if you have problems with stairs. To get from street level to reception there are at least a dozen stairs. Next this is an older building and the elevator was added on at a later date so it stops mid floor - you must walk either 13 steps up or down to get to the hallway with the rooms. So to the 5th floor was up and down the stairs - 26 per flight X 5 flights X 2 or 3 times a day = gym workout.

Room 503 - and other rooms on the 5th floor are like loft apartments that can sleep 3 - walk into a small foyer with a wardrobe and hooks to hang jacket. To the immediate left is a half bathroom (toilet and sink). Through a doorway into the large room - kitchenette on one wall (minibar fridge - which did not work), stovetop, sink, storage. Table with 4 chairs, couch, chair, coffee table, single twin bed, nightstand. Up the stairs to the bedroom area with Queen size bed, 2 nightstands, phone, small table with 2 chairs, small dresser, tv, full bathroom. The bedroom is loft style - not walled in - you can see downstairs looking over the railing but looking upwards from below you cannot see the bed area.

Bathroom - This will be quite different for most North Americans but is quite common throughout Europe - you do not have a stand up shower like we are used to. There is a bathtub and then a handheld shower head that you hold in your hand to wash yourself with.
Because you are on the 5th floor you are under the roof of the building so the ceiling is slanted - no problem for the bed area. However, in the bathroom it means you can't stand up in the tub - must kneel or sit in the tub. There is also a toilet, bidet, sink and mirror of course.
Our friend was staying in a regular room on the 2nd floor and although no slanted ceiling was a handheld shower as well.

Bed - firm like most hotels but pretty comfortable.
TV - only a few stations - BBC News is the only English one. The German station would play English music videos at night.
Phone - only phone in the room was next to the bedside - not one downstairs.
Digital Safe - in the wardrobe in the entrance there is a safe where you program your own 4 digit code. It is not big enough for a laptop.
Couch - the couch on the lower level has seen better days and should go into retirement.

Kitchenette - the only items in the kitchen was a bottle opener. We had to ask for additional items then they brought up a box with cutlery, 1 pot, plates, bowls etc. The fridge did not work which meant that I could not cook as I could not put anything in the fridge.

Smoking - this is a smoking hotel so if you are sensitive to it you can smell the cigarette smoke as soon as you walk into the building and the common areas. There was some cigarette smell in our room as well - but we kept the door between the foyer and the living area closed so that helped quite a bit. Prague does not have the no smoking bans in restaurants etc that some USA / UK / other European cities do.

Breakfast - my husband and I don't understand the complaints about the breakfast buffet. This was very good and a typical European buffet and the same every day. Served 7:30 until 10am but obviously if you go in high season (summer) you can't go at the last minute and expect to find a full offering.
Hot Food - Scrambled Eggs, Sausages and vegetables (peas, carrots)
Cold Food - Hard Boiled Eggs, lots of different breads, cold ham, deli slices, couple types of cheeses, granola, muselix, 1 cereal (like corn flakes), plain and flavored yogurt, different jams, honey, and nut spreads (Nutella - no peanut butter).
Drinks - coffee, tea, orange juice, apple juice, water.

Staff - friendly and helpful. They kept my soy milk in a separate fridge for me since my minibar was not working. Called a car for us to the airport (650 Kc / 18 Kc to 1 USD at the time of the visit) which was prompt, clean and fast.

Location - Excellent - 10 minute walk to Wencelas Square - additional 5 to 10 minute walk to Old Square. Then a few more minutes to the Charles Bridge - with all the statues and over to the castle. We walked many miles every day enjoying the city.

Public Transport - there is a tram #22 that goes one block away from the hotel - goes down and to the right and it drops you off 1 longer block from the Charles Bridge or you can stay on it and it will go over the river and drop you off near the back entrance of the Castle. Cost 24 Kc (approx $1.50 USD one way). You can buy tickets at a tobacconist shop. There is also a subway system but we did not use it.

Taxis - warning - some taxis will try to rip you off. When my friend arrived they quoted him 25 Euro from the main train station to the hotel - it should have been 10. He took the subway instead - 2 stops away. The hotel recommended AAA Taxis. They often have taxi stands around the city. 1) Agree on the fare before you get into the taxi 2) Ensure they turn the meter on - otherwise they are legally entitled to charge you ANY AMOUNT THEY WANT. 3) Guide book said if this happens thrown them 300 Kc and leave - this should cover most fates within the main center area.

Grocery Store - there is a TESCO nearby that carries the basics - right out of the hotel, right at the corner, first left and walk down you will see it on the left side of the street. They had peanut butter there for which I was looking. There is also an Alberts near the Old Square - very large 2 levels underground and has more exotic stuff such as the soy milk - or if you see a DEM store they usually have a BIO (organic, health) section.

Dining out was good - they have lots of international style restaurants. The closer you are to a historic area the more touristy the prices get but they are not bad especially compared to New York City prices. Recommend near Old Square - they both have websites with menus.
Indian Jewel - Excellent Indian food.
Traditional - U Supa - dates back to the 1400s. Has live gypsy music every night. Food was great - my friend thought their goulash was excellent, my husband and I had great pasta dishes.

We enjoyed our trip to Prague very much. Walked many miles every day enjoying the sites, historic places, Christmas market, hot wine and the atmosphere. Go with the flow, enjoy your trip and safe journey.