Reviews
No 46, since its launch in May has received very positive coverage by the Irish Media – this will hopefully soon follow further a field. Below you will find a list of media coverage to date as well as some of the reviews. If you would like to send us your comments or indeed a review – good or bad – it would be much appreciated. We are always striving to improve on what we offer.
* Sunday Independent – 2 page spread by Mary O'Sullivan 13th July 2008.
* Cara Magazine – July 2008.
* Image Interiors – 5 page spread – July 2008.
* The Irish Times Magazine – 2 page review by Eoin Lyons – Sat June 21st 2008.
* Saturday Independent - Travel section – 1/2 page review – May 2008.
* Sunday Business Post – Cover story - by Ros Drinkwater 18th May 2008.
* Property Post – 1/2 page review – May 2008.
'No 46 makes hanging out in Prague's chicest uptown district even more enticing. Although just a short walk from Wenceslas square, the Old Town's crowded tourist spots could be a million miles from the calm cobbled streets, stylish cafes and galleries of Vinohrady. With No 46 at it's centre, this is now my favorite part of Prague.' Nick Wilk - June 2008
'Irish couple James and Jo Fennell have taken No 46, a once-dilapidated two-bedroom apartment in Prague’s most fashionable district, and turned it into a residence of impressive elegance. No 46 Prague is the home-from-home of your dreams.
Designed with short lets in mind, the two-bedroom apartment in Prague’s most desirable district offers the last word in chic, a marriage of antique furnishings and contemporary high style, plus a state-of-the-art kitchen and bathroom.
But what makes it unique is the extra service provided.' -
Sunday Business Post - Cover story, May 18, 2008 - By Ros Drinkwater
"WHEN VISITING A CITY on a weekend break, renting an apartment rather than staying in a hotel can be more fun and work out better value for money. In Prague, James Fennell and his wife Jo bought the perfect base for exploring that beautiful place.
Located in the Vinohrady district (think broad tree-lined boulevards and colourful squares) it is large (116 sq m) and a 10-minute walk to Wenceslas Square. After just completing this major renovation, the young couple - he is a photographer and she is an interior designer - decided to offer the place for weekend or week-long stays.
The work that had to be done to make the handsome 19th century apartment habitable - never mind beautiful - was daunting. Wholesale gutting was necessary, but it is now very attractive and welcoming. The original parquet floors were refinished and all the windows and doors stripped and fixed. It has been designed to match what they believe most people want from a weekend stay: "maximum comfort, absolute peace and absolute attention to detail".
The rooms crackle with a mix of old world antiques and luxurious furnishings but also celebrate technology. "We wanted to have an old world feel but with contemporary trimmings," says Fennel. Therefore, the kitchen is contemporary and fully kitted out with everything a serious chef might require.
The bathrooms are state-of-the-art. There are two large double bedrooms and a large living space with high ceiling, stucco cornicing, chandeliers and double panelled doorways.
Nothing is too personal, however: it has a degree of anonymity that visitors want from this kind of bolt-hole. "We had always wanted to take what we've seen while travelling in places like Sri Lanka and Mexico and to use those ideas for our own small project. We want to offer a great service with attention to detail. We hope we've thought of everything that a guest might want while staying in Prague."
To this end, there are flat-screen televisions, surround sound, DVD players, iPod docks, Wi-Fi, a stocked bar, l'Occitane bath products and a booklet written by the couple listing what they consider to be the best coffee houses, bars, restaurants and clubs in the city."
Eoin Lyons, Home from Home, The Irish Times Magazine, June 2008
‘ No 46 is a haven in one of the most beautiful districts of Prague – if you after chic elegance, stylish design with serious attention to detail this is your spot.
The owners of this stylish apartment definitely know their stuff. It is hard to find something that this duo have not thought of, from Ipod docks, compilation mixes of Jazz, Bluegrass, Irish Trad, Classical, House, Techno, Dub, Reggae, Ska to name just some of the music you will find at No 46 – surround sound in the huge living room - piped to the bathroom and kitchen, what more could a music lover ask for.
Cross this with stunning architecture, design, art, sumptuous beds, baths, shower, curtains sofa’s –this is the ultimate pad to while away evenings or to indulge yourself on wet days. You will be calm, relaxed and inspired when you walk through the huge elegant doors of No 46. Forget about hotels when you have the option to stay in a place like No 46 – why are there not more places such as this on offer in cities– for me this is the ultimate pad for basing oneself in a fabulous city and I can imagine for all those who venture through No 46’s elegant doors.’
Curtis Smiles – NYT May 2008.
No 46 Prague – Head Space and Creative Thinking – Turtle Bunbury visits No 46 - www.turtlebunbury.com
There is an old Czech legend that one day Good King Wenceslas will return to bring peace and prosperity to his people. The benevolent Bohemian was enjoying a popular reign a thousand years ago when murdered on the steps of his church by his evil younger brother. Should he return, his advisors would no doubt suggest that he head straight to Prague Castle, reputedly the biggest ancient castle in the world, where he was based during his short reign. But truth is he would find it pretty tricky getting into the castle what with the umpteen million tourists knocking on its door every day.
For peace and contemplation, the King would be far better off renting the magnificent escapade that is No 46 Prague. This first floor property is the perfect antidote to chaotic living. From the moment one enters through the 10 foot high pistachio green front doors, one is enveloped in a mist of Bohemian-hued serenity. The apartment is located on the quiet street of Zahrebska in the increasingly hip Vinohrady district. The area takes its name form the vineyards, aka vino, that grew upon its gentle slopes in ancient times. The vineyards may have gone but there is no shortage of fine taverns, cheerful cafes and romantic restaurants to while away the days and nights. An entire holiday could be spent just rolling up and down these streets and the neighbouring parklands. A ten minute walk down these elegant boulevards – or 2 minutes in a tram – will bring you to the top of Wenceslas Square, the main square, named for the aforementioned king. From here the City of Prague is at your beck and call – the market stalls and garnet shops, the Gothic churches and Charles Bridge, the coffee houses and crazy clocks and Cubist galleries …
When you’ve completed a day’s sight-seeing in a foreign city, you are invariably absolutely exhausted by the time you get back to your hotel. You just want to zone out with a TV and watch the same old news reports recycled every 15 minutes. No 46 is a different experience. It makes returning ‘home’ one of the highlights of the trip. This is the sort of place that encourages you to be creative, to take control of your own holiday, to sit back and think about how to improve your life back home. Creativity often starts in the kitchen and here you will find a fantastic, practical space with all the pots and utensils you need to concoct a feast of your own, and a solid walnut dining table on which to hold the banquet. Shop local and you’ll find fruit, vegetables, meat and fish bursting with sun-drenched nutrition. The owners lay on a classy selections of well-priced wines, mainly French, with local Czech wines and Champagne also represented. You pay for what you drink at the end of it all.
The lay-out ideally suited to the short stay. The entrance hall / landing area is delightfully large, instantly imbibing one with a feeling of mental and physical space. From here, large panelled doors lead into the bedrooms, bathroom and extremely generous living room. Our daughter took her first guided steps circling the giant bellows that ingeniously doubles as the drinks table. Instead of the news, try watching one of the in-house DVDs provided, kids classics included. Or scrap the visuals and listen to some of the jazz, blue-grass, house, classical and traditional Irish CD compilations put together by the owners. Kick back on the plush sofas and day-dream over the gigantic photographs of local cityscapes, obscure statuary and faraway islands by owner-photographer James Fennell. Bohemian Crystal chandeliers are confidently suspended from the warm white ceilings. A constant heat emanates from cast iron radiators. Rich red curtains frame the massive 19th century sash windows.
In the bedrooms, the voluptuous beds boast panelled headboards and lush floral bedspreads. By night, a green and red tinged light radiates from clay bedside lamps set on wicker tables and ceiling lights hanging like Cardinal’s hats. The handsomely tiled bathroom has everything you need – a good deep bath to stew in, an abundantly spacious shower and everything reflected in elaborate Indian mirrors.
With two well equipped and beautifully decorated double-bedrooms, this is the perfect retreat for a family of four, two couples, one couple seeking time out or, in our case, a couple with a baby daughter. The ambience of No 46 was so calm that she slept 12 hours straight every night and gave us a wonderful holiday that we’ve been dreaming of ever since.