What is(are) your name(s)?
Jaroslava Votavová
For how long have you been running a B&B?
18 years
Please share something about the history of your present bed and breakfast.
A true story about us, written by one of our best friends: Prior to the fall of the Communist Iron Curtain in what was then Czechoslovakia, Antonin (Toni) and Jarka Votava purchased a small lot in the village of Chodov, a community on the edge of Prague. Over a period of ten years they would spend evenings and weekends constructing their new home while living with their two daughters and Jarka's mother in a small two bedroom flat. They eventually moved into their new house in 1987. After the Velvet Revolution in 1989, the Votava's soon realized that Prague was becoming the destination for many western European travelers, especially Germans and Italians; the Americans would soon follow. It was then that they began to consider turning their home into a bed and breakfast. They would spend long hours talking of the possibilities, challenges and dream, but were never quite ready to make the entrepreneurial leap into such a venture and leave their jobs with the civil engineering companies owned by the Czechoslovakian government. One rainy day in 1990 while Toni and Jarka were walking near their home they were stopped by a man from Sweden who was bicycling his way through Eastern Europe; that evening he was in search of a ‘dry’ room. Through the use of some key words in various languages and added gestures the young man asked Toni and Jarka if they knew where he could find a room for the night. Toni turned and looked at Jarka and then responded: "young man, it's your lucky day - our home is a bed and breakfast." My association with the Votava’s began in 1991 when I traveled to Prague as a volunteer English teacher immediately after the fall of the Iron Curtain. Toni and Jarka were two of my students in my ‘Introduction to English’ class. They invited me to dinner at their home during the first week of class. At the time I was living in a small hostel which previously housed Vietnamese workers during the communist era. During dinner Toni invited me to come live in one of their rooms in exchange for my sitting at their dinner table each evening and giving the entire family 'English' lessons. (The food in the Votava house is excellent - I obviously drew the long straw in that deal). Unfortunately, Toni died in 1998 from congestive heart failure but Jarka continues to operate the business quite efficiently. Several years after his death, Toni’s daughter, Lenka, called to invite me to her wedding and asked me stand-in for her Dad - and escort her down the aisle. Without a doubt, I have remained very close to this family through the years.
What are the unique characteristics of your B&B?
Thus the first step had been taken in what has become a successful business. A.V. Pension Praha is located on a quiet residential street and a short four minute walk to the Chodov Metro - which connects to the centrum of Prague in a mere 20 minutes. The Chodov Metro is also located beneath 'Centrum Chodov' - the newest and largest shopping mall in Prague.
Based on your guests' opinions, what feature of your B&B has made their stay special?
Our guests especially admire the location of our Pension although in a quiet green area of houses with gardens, offering a garden with swimming pool, it is close to the Chodov Metro with a great connection to the city center. Often, they also mention the family atmosphere and delicious breakfasts.
Please describe in short your bed and breakfast and its general services and amenities.
We offer a green garden with a terrace, summer swimming pool and an outside fireplace.
How many rooms are offered at your B&B and what is its maximum capacity?
The pension has 8 rooms and sleeps 20 persons. Most of the rooms in the pension have their own private bathroom. The pension recently added a new dining room too. Other information about the pension, including a host of photos, may be found at the website
What kinds of rooms do you offer?
See our answers above. In detail: Each room has a view of local gardens and is comfortably equipped with minibar, free WiFi Internet access, hair dryer, electric kettle with tea and coffee etc; by request color TV-SAT. Room Nr. 1 - Double bedroom on the ground floor – king size bed (160 x 200 cm); en-suite bathroom with shower and WC. Room Nr. 2 - Double bedroom – two single beds (90 x 200 cm), extra bed available; en-suite small bathroom with shower and WC. Room Nr. 3 - Double bedroom – queen size bed (140 x 200 cm); bathroom on the floor. Room Nr. 4 - Double bedroom – two single beds (85 x 200 cm), extra bed available; kitchenette; en-suite bathroom with bathtub and WC. Room Nr. 5 - Double bedroom – king size bed (160 x 200 cm), extra bed available; en-suite bathroom with shower and WC. Room Nr. 6 - Suite – king size bed (160 x 200 cm) and one single bed (80 x 200 cm), extra bed and baby cot available, kitchenette, en-suite bathroom with shower and WC. Room Nr. 7 - Double bedroom in the attic – king size bed (170 x 200 cm), bathroom with bathtub and WC shared with the room No. 8. Room Nr. 8 - Double bedroom in the attic – king size bed (160 x 200 cm), extra bed available; bathroom with bathtub and WC shared with the room No. 7.
Please describe the in-room facilities for each type of room in your B&B.
See above.
Which room is your personal favorite?
Room Nr. 5 - it has a nice balcony and large windows.
What do the room rates include?
Our room rates include: Breakfast and WI-FI Internet connection. There are no additional taxes or insurance fees charged.
Do you offer any special packages?
We offer the following discounts: Room used as a single 30% discount, Child up to 2 years old stays free, Child up to 6 years old has 50% discount, stays longer than 3 days - 10% discount.
What may guests expect from a typical breakfast at your property?
Tea, Coffee, selection of juices, milk, cereals, yogurts, fresh fruits, jam, butter, spread cheese, ham, eggs, pates and vegetables.
When and where is breakfast served?
The breakfast is served in our dining room from 8:00 till 10:00 a.m.
Are dietary needs accommodated?
Vegetarians may choose from the wide offer served.
Do you serve other meals?
No.
Are there cooking facilities, which guests may use?
Yes, specifically in the rooms Nr. 4 and 6.
Is your bed and breakfast suitable for children?
Yes, children are welcome. We offer a sandpit, rope swing and with parents they may enjoy our summer swimming pool.
Do you accept pets?
Yes, after prior specification and agreement.
What is your smoking policy?
We are a non smoking facility in all areas.
Is there a parking facility on premises or nearby?
Parking is available either directly in front of the house in Malebná Street or in the nearby P+R supervised car park in the Centrum Chodov.
Is your B&B suitable for disabled guests?
Unfortunately no.
What safety precautions are provided at your B&B?
Smoke and fire alarms are installed in every room.
What is your check-in/check-out policy?
Check in according to a prior telephone or email agreement, Check out - 10:00 a.m.
Are there a minimum number of nights for staying at your B&B?
There is no minimum number of nights limitation.
How can guests check availability and make a reservation?
Via our web sites, offering an online reservation (offering only available capacity).
What is you cancellation policy?
Cancel conditions: For a cancellation 7 - 1 day before the planned arrival, we charge 100% of the 1st night cost cancellation fee.
What types of payment do you accept?
We accept only cash in CZK, prior agreed bank transfers, VISA, MasterCard.
Is there a special etiquette that guests should know about and comply with?
No.
Please tell us what things guests might enjoy visiting, seeing, doing, etc. in your area.
You may enjoy a wide range of services and shops in the new shopping mall Centrum Chodov located four minutes walk from our property at Chodov subway station. The centre offers 210 shops, 6 coffee-bars, 10 restaurants, Billiard centre, fitness centre, supervised car park P+R. There is a number of good restaurants offering delicious and inexpensive dinners in the close neighborhood. Our sporty guests may enjoy the sport centre Jonathan with tennis courts and sauna located just around the corner. Nature loving guests fancying a stroll or a jog in the fresh air will certainly appreciate the nearby woods. There is an inspirational, sought-after art gallery 2 minutes walk from A. V. Pension Praha. Within walking distance may our guests find Chodovská tvrz, a historic water stronghold, built in the 13th century, housing concerts, art exhibitions and a restaurant.
Where is your B&B located and how it may be reached?
Directions from Brno, Vienna, Linz, Budapest: Coming to Prague on D1 Expressway take 2B Exit, continue along Chilská Street straight through one set of traffic lights and pass Opatov subway station. On Litochlebské Square roundabout take the third exit to Türkova Street. Then turn at the first opportunity left, followed by a right turn to Starochodovská Street. This will lead you to K Remízku Street after a sharp bend to the left . Take the third street left to our Malebná Street; our Bed & Breakfast is the fourth house on the right side. For a simple map click here. Directions from Prague Centre: Coming south on the D1 Expressway, pass Agip gas station and take the next exit for Chodov shopping centre. Follow the U-shape road towards the traffic lights, where you should take right again to Pod Chodovem Street. This will lead you under the expressway you came on. At the next roundabout, turn right to Türkova Street. Then turn at the first opportunity right, followed by a right turn again to Starochodovská Street. This will lead you to K Remízku Street after a sharp bend to the left. Take the third street left to our Malebná Street; our Bed & Breakfast is the fourth house on the right side. For a simple map click here. Directions from Prague Airport: Take bus No. 119 to Dejvická subway station (green "A" subway line). Take the subway "A" line to Muzeum station, where you should change to the red "C" line, which will take you south to Chodov subway station. Directions from railway station: Take the subway "C" line south from Main Railway station (Hlavní nádraží) or from Praha Holešovice railway in Háje direction. This will take to our Chodov subway station. Directions from Chodov station: When you get off the subway, take the first exit left, where you should continue across the pedestrian bridge over the D1 expressway (direction Brno / Linz / Vienna). Our Malebná Street is the second one left after the bridge. Take a turn there and our Bed & Breakfast is the forth house on your left (No. 75), located between crossings with K Dubu and K Remízku streets.
What would you say to people who have never stayed in a bed and breakfast?
Staying with us, you can not make a mistake!