in the footsteps of 007
David.247
UKPosts: 29MI6 Agent
I'm thinking of going to the GRANDHOTEL PUPP in Karlovy Vary in the Czech Republic next year (you know the place, doubled up for Hotel Splendide in Casino Royal). Anyway as you may or may not know they do a 2 nights package called 'In the footsteps of 007' and i was just wondering if anybody has done this and if so what was it like? Incidentally just up the road from Karlovy Vary is another place called Loket where they filmed bond and Vesper meeting Mathis where they set up the chief of police (Michael G Wilson's cameo)
Comments
Never done it but I imagine it's going to be a heck of a place!
First, Karlovy Vary is realy easy & cheap to get to. Fly to Prague (Jet2 etc) then get the bus from Florenc bus station (leaves every hour, about £9 return fare!). The Hotel is about 30 mins walk or 10 mins by Taxi (about £6) from the bus station.
The Hotel seems to be trading on its reputation a bit-it is rated as being 5*, but I'm not sure this is an accurate reflection. The building is old but in fair condition, the rooms were 'ok' (I'd have expected better for 5*) BTW-there isn't a Room 378!. Most of the Staff were friendly & helpful except the breakfast Staff who were generally rude & ignorant.
The Restaurant was 'ok' but expensive-Michelin star price but not quality.
The Vesper was good-you just gotta have one!
The front of the Hotel is now cobbled (not tarmac as in CR) with interesting plaques for many of the big names that have stayed there. The 'Casino' in the film is actually an old Spa building at the back of the hotel just over the river from the car park. It looked a bit derelict to me, but there was scaffolding up & signs of work going on.
Karlovy Vary itself is a beautiful old Spa town, very clean & well looked after. Restaurants are plentiful and mostly sensibly priced. A lot of the shops, particularly nearer the Hotel are upmarket (Versace etc), so keep tabs or your other half!
Over all-well worth a visit, but the Hotel is not as flash as you might imagine.