Opens in a new windowAugustine, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Prague is an unexpected enclave in the heart of the beguiling Czech city, housed within the historic, still active St. Thomas Monastery. The hotel’s seven sprawling wings share interior gardens and buildings with the monastery, whose roots date back over seven hundred years, immersing guests in the rich history of the city and inviting them to experience its mysteries at every turn.

The first building on the property, St. Thomas’ Church, is still maintained and run by the friars of the Augustinian order, whose predecessors built the original structure during the 13th century. The monks also serve as caretakers of an ancient library directly adjacent to the hotel, which boasts one of the most extensive collections of ancient medical books in Europe. While closed to the general public, Augustine offers an exclusive tour available only to guests. Led by a representative of the Augustinian monks, the experience allows an incredible, mesmerizing peek into the history of Prague without even leaving the hotel.