OREA Hotel Arigone in Olomouc, Czech Republic was our pick for one single reason: a hot tub and sauna right there in the room. When I think back to the days before kids, I remember long weekends when Lukáš and I would sink into a hot tub for a whole afternoon, read in the relaxation room and rush nowhere. But once a small child came along, our idea of relaxation had to shift a little, because you won’t last long in a regular public spa with a toddler in tow. And if you don’t have anyone around to babysit overnight, a romantic weekend starts to feel like pure sci-fi. Luckily, we discovered one brilliant travel trick that saved our parental sanity.
The secret is staying somewhere with a hot tub or sauna right outside your own bedroom door. That’s exactly what lured us to the historic centre of Olomouc, home to the hugely popular OREA Hotel Arigone. In the evening you simply tuck your child into the cot, switch on the baby monitor and quietly slip off to the next room full of hot bubbles. We arrived with high expectations and I have to say that, despite one small parenting mishap on the very first evening, we absolutely loved it.
I’ve written this up the way I’d tell a friend: what wowed us, what I’d double-check when booking and what it’s like staying here with a toddler. I’ll also get to the breakfasts, which alone would tempt me back to Olomouc. Having a good base right in the centre is half the battle on a city break.
TL;DR: OREA Hotel Arigone in a nutshell
If you’re in a hurry and don’t have time to read our full review, I’ve put together a quick rundown of the most important facts. Arigone has a few things you won’t find elsewhere, and a couple worth knowing about in advance:
- Great location: The hotel sits right in the historic centre of Olomouc (Univerzitní 20), just a few minutes’ slow stroll from Horní náměstí (Upper Square) and the famous Holy Trinity Column.
- Private wellness: It offers 6 design wellness rooms with a hot tub and sauna that you can rent for 2 or 4.5 hours.
- The maisonette dream: The crown jewel is wellness room number 6, a huge loft maisonette with a terrace, its own sauna and a hot tub with a starry-sky effect.
- Unforgettable breakfast: A generous buffet where you can fill a fresh croissant with luxurious pistachio cream yourself.
- Kids are welcome: It’s not a typical family hotel with entertainers, but children under 5.99 stay free and you’ll find several great kids’ play cafés right nearby.
- Parking: The hotel has its own parking courtyard, but capacity is limited and you have to reserve a spot in advance.
- High ratings: The hotel has a lovely 4.4 stars from almost 800 reviews on Google, and even 8.8 out of 10 from nearly 4,000 ratings on Booking.
Why we chose Arigone in particular
Olomouc has an utterly magical atmosphere that rivals Prague, but with far more calm. When we were planning our latest trip, we were after a strategic base from which all the main sights would be literally within reach. OREA Hotel Arigone caught our eye straight away, as it was created by sensitively linking several historic houses right in the heart of the city. I really love places to stay that breathe history and don’t have the sterile square footprint of modern new builds.
The other huge draw for us was, of course, the promised private wellness. Although the hotel has 54 rooms in total across various categories, the ones with their own hot tub and sauna are the absolute gem. We knew that during the day we’d be running around town with Jonáš, exploring Olomouc’s little lanes, so the prospect of sinking into hot water in the evening was huge motivation. We simply wanted to combine active sightseeing with perfect rest, and at Arigone we really pulled it off.
The wellness room: hot tub and sauna behind a locked door
We stayed in the maisonette wellness room, a loft space of 85 square metres. My jaw dropped the moment I walked in, because the space is beautifully airy and hides its own terrace overlooking the rooftops of Olomouc. The biggest highlight, though, is naturally the hot tub with its LED night-sky effect and the Finnish sauna, both just steps from the bed. We pictured how, on the very first evening, we’d put Jonáš to sleep and then Lukáš and I would open a bottle of wine down in the bubbles.
But the reality of parenthood caught up with us fast, and our first evening turned out completely differently than planned. When I went to settle the little one in his cot, I was so tired after a day of travelling that within ten minutes I fell asleep more soundly than he did. I didn’t wake up until deep in the night, and it was obvious the sauna and hot tub would stay untouched that evening. On the second and third days, though, we more than made up for it, and I have to say that being able to step straight from a hot sauna into your own bed is priceless. It’s simply an incredible luxury you get used to dangerously fast 😅.
Private wellness centre: 6 rooms when the maisonette is booked
If you don’t manage to snag a room with a hot tub for the whole night, the hotel offers a fantastic alternative: renting one of its private wellness rooms. There are six such rooms in the hotel and you can book them for either 2 hours or a generous 4.5 hours. It strikes me as a great compromise if you’re staying in a standard room but still want a little pampering. Each of these six spaces is slightly different and suited to different kinds of guests:
- Wellness room 1: A huge 90 m² space that fits up to 10 people, so it’s ideal for a group of friends. You’ll find a giant Finnish sauna for 8, a hot tub and an experience shower.
- Wellness room 2: A cosy 36 m² made just for couples. There’s a large bed and a hot tub (this room has no sauna).
- Wellness room 3: A 58 m² space for up to 4 people, tempting you with a Finnish sauna, an experience shower and a luxurious hot tub with an LED night sky.
- Wellness room 4: A smaller, intimate room for two where a comfy hot tub takes centre stage.
- Wellness room 5: Like number 3, it offers 58 m² for 4 people, with a quality Finnish sauna, a spacious hot tub and an experience shower.
- Wellness room 6: The maisonette mentioned earlier (85 m²), which besides its sauna and night-sky hot tub also has a gorgeous terrace overlooking all of Olomouc.
💡 Tip: Because private wellness in Olomouc is genuinely in high demand, I’d recommend booking your specific time slot several weeks before arrival.
The rooms: what to be prepared for
Because Hotel Arigone was created by joining several historic buildings, each of its 54 rooms is a bit of a one-off. You’ll find rooms in the newer renovated section as well as ones that breathe an older historic atmosphere, so the fittings aren’t entirely uniform everywhere. That gives the hotel enormous charm, but it’s also good to know a few practical details that might surprise you on the spot. When choosing a room, don’t hesitate to mention your preferences; the staff’s helpfulness comes up again and again in reviews.
The first thing to keep in mind for summer visits is air conditioning. Unfortunately the hotel doesn’t have AC in every room, and the loft in particular can get seriously hot during sweltering summer months. If you’re heading here in the middle of summer, definitely ask for a room on a lower floor when booking. Also bear in mind that the lift only goes up to the second floor, so if you have a pushchair and heavy suitcases like we did, a bit of a fitness workout on the stairs awaits you on the way to the loft rooms. In the end it didn’t bother us much, but it’s good to plan for it in advance.
Another important quirk is the location itself, in the city centre. One of Olomouc’s very popular bars sits right on the street below the hotel, which means weekend nights can get quite lively through an open window. If you’re a very light sleeper, or travelling with a small child who wakes at every rustle, just ask for a room with windows facing the quiet courtyard. That way you’ll get complete peace for sleeping while still staying just steps from the historic centre.
The breakfast I still dream about
For me personally, breakfast is the be-all and end-all of any hotel stay, and I have to say OREA Hotel Arigone scores full marks here. Every morning a beautifully arranged buffet awaits you, offering a genuinely rich selection of fresh, quality ingredients. As vegetarians, Lukáš and I especially loved the cheeses, fresh pastries, eggs and fruit, so we always piled up a full plate in the morning. We were in no rush, and breakfast easily stretched to an hour, which with a small child I consider a minor miracle.
But what completely disarmed me, and what I still remember fondly, was the sweet corner. They had fresh croissants and, right beside them, a pistachio cream you could generously fill them with yourself. I swear I still dream about that perfect pistachio croissant and would happily return to Olomouc just for it ☺️. Add excellent morning coffee and the calm atmosphere of the hotel restaurant, and you have the best possible start to a new day.
Arigone with a child: what works and what doesn’t
If you’re travelling with kids, it’s worth saying straight out that Arigone isn’t one of those typical OREA family resorts. You won’t find any noisy entertainment programmes, mascots or a giant hotel kids’ corner full of plastic toys. For some that might be a downside, but we really appreciated the calm. A huge plus is the welcoming pricing, since children under 5.99 stay completely free and older kids up to 12 pay half price.
The lack of a hotel kids’ corner doesn’t matter at all in the centre of Olomouc, because the area is packed with great options for families. Just a few minutes’ walk from the hotel you’ll find the JáSám play café (Horní náměstí 7), right opposite the astronomical clock, with lovely wooden toys, a children’s kitchen and safe climbing frames, while parents enjoy a specialty coffee and homemade cake (open daily until 7 pm). It’s exactly the kind of place you appreciate when the weather turns dreary and you need to wear your child out before an afternoon nap.
We can also warmly recommend the V lese café (Žerotínovo náměstí 3), which hides a beautiful Montessori playroom with a sound tree and activity boards. An all-day pass here costs just 60 CZK (about €2.50), and at weekends they’re open from 10 am to 7 pm, which is absolutely ideal for families. Another option within walking distance is the popular Človíčkov play centre (8. května 24), which you can get into for 59 CZK (around €2.50) for unlimited time. Add in the fact that once the baby’s asleep in the evening you can hop into a private in-room hot tub, and for me Arigone is one of the best city hotels for parents with kids.
Parking, arrival and practical info
Getting into the very heart of historic Olomouc by car can sometimes be a bit of a logistical puzzle, but luckily the hotel has it well figured out. The access route does run through the pedestrian zone, but the hotel sends you very detailed instructions in advance, so there’s no need to worry about getting lost or getting fined. There’s a hotel parking courtyard right behind the building, which is a huge relief when unloading suitcases and a pushchair. Parking is paid, and because the courtyard has limited capacity, you always need to reserve your spot in advance.
As for other practical amenities, free Wi-Fi works perfectly throughout the hotel, so if you need to do a bit of work in the evening you won’t have the slightest problem. According to reviews, the helpful staff are among the things guests praise most about Arigone, so don’t be shy to ask about anything from booking wellness to a dinner tip. The hotel also has a cosy wine bar, perfect for smaller family celebrations or a quiet evening if you’re not in the mood to head out into the buzz of the city.
What other guests point out
Besides our own impressions, I also went through what other guests say about the hotel. OREA Hotel Arigone maintains very high ratings: 4.4 stars from almost 800 reviews on Google and an amazing 8.8 out of 10 from nearly 4,000 ratings on Booking. In reviews people most often praise the utterly unbeatable location in the historic centre, the incredibly comfortable, wide beds and the fantastic buffet breakfast, all of which we can confirm from our own experience. A lot of praise also goes to the staff, who are said to always be smiling and happy to help.
When a criticism does crop up, it usually relates to the practical limitations of a historic building. Some guests complain about the summer heat in loft rooms without air conditioning and occasional noise from the popular bar on the street below the hotel. Another frequently mentioned topic is that the lift only goes to the second floor and you have to walk the rest of the way up to the loft, which can catch out older visitors or guests with bulky luggage. Now and then you’ll also hear a sigh about the parking courtyard being full and the drive through the pedestrian zone requiring a bit of care behind the wheel. None of this is an insurmountable problem, though, as long as you know about it in advance and choose your specific room accordingly.
How much it costs and where to book
Room rates at OREA Hotel Arigone vary quite a bit depending on the season, the day of the week and, of course, the type of room you choose. Standard rooms come at a very friendly price, while the luxurious maisonettes with a hot tub and sauna naturally cost a little more. But since there’s only a limited number of wellness rooms and they’re extremely popular, I strongly recommend not leaving your booking to the last minute. If you’re planning a romantic weekend or an anniversary, it’s better to secure your room even several months ahead.
👉 Check current prices and availability · book directly on the OREA website
Where to eat near the hotel
The hotel restaurant mainly serves breakfast, so for lunch and dinner you head out. That’s no problem at all in Olomouc, because there’s a decent choice of places within walking distance of Arigone, and as vegetarians we had no trouble finding somewhere to eat.
- Koza zůstala celá (Mlýnská 952) is a renowned vegetarian restaurant with a 4.8 rating and a pleasant terrace.
- GREEN BAR (Ztracená 3) is a quick meat-free option when you need to grab a bite between sightseeing. They open as early as 10 am.
- Kathmandu (Dolní náměstí 25) serves Nepalese food, and guests praise how helpfully they advise on vegetarian options.
- Olomouc tvarůžky (the region’s famous pungent cheese) are best tried cooked, for example fried or in garlic soup. Eaten cold, they’re quite a challenge for an unaccustomed nose. 😅
💡 Tip: You’ll find an overview of more restaurants, events and opening hours on the official Olomouc tourism website.
Things to do near Arigone on foot
One of the biggest advantages of staying on Univerzitní Street is that you can comfortably walk the entire historic centre of Olomouc. Just around the corner lies the sprawling Upper Square (Horní náměstí), home not only to the town hall with its famous astronomical clock, but above all to the monumental Holy Trinity Column, rightly listed as a UNESCO site. It’s worth stopping there for a while to admire the incredible Baroque detail. As you stroll through the city, don’t miss the famous Olomouc fountains either, scattered all over the centre and pleasantly cooling the air in summer.
If you head the other way, you’ll soon reach St Wenceslas Cathedral, whose tall towers form an unmistakable city landmark. Also worth a visit is the majestic Church of St Maurice, which offers a beautiful view of the surroundings. For families with children who want more than the nearby play cafés, a great tip is the interactive science centre Pevnost poznání, where you can easily spend a whole afternoon. And if you don’t mind a short trip by car or bus, definitely head to the popular Zoo at Svatý Kopeček, one of the most beautiful in the country.
Where to go next
If Olomouc has won you over the way it did us, take a look at our other articles too:
- What to see in Olomouc: 14 tips on what not to miss in the city, from the astronomical clock to the cathedral.
- Olomouc with kids: 34 tips on play cafés, the zoo, the water park and day trips nearby.
- The best hotels with an in-room hot tub: where to find private bubbles in Czechia and Slovakia.
- The best wellness hotels in Czechia: 29 tips for wellness breaks for two.
- Where to holiday in Central Moravia: 15 tips across Haná and Wallachia.
Frequently asked questions
What do people most often ask when getting ready for a stay at Arigone? I’ve picked out the questions that were running through our own heads before booking.
Does OREA Hotel Arigone have a hot tub directly in the room?
Yes, the hotel has six special wellness rooms. Duplex room number 6 has a Finnish sauna and a hot tub with a starry night sky effect directly in the room. Other rooms with hot tubs can be rented as part of the private wellness centre.
How much does it cost to rent the private wellness?
The price depends on the specific wellness room and the length of rental. The hotel offers time blocks of 2 hours or 4.5 hours. We recommend booking well in advance, as capacity fills up quickly.
Is Arigone suitable for families with children?
While it’s not a typical family resort with entertainers and a hotel kids’ club, it’s a great choice for families. Children up to 5.99 years stay free, and within walking distance from the hotel you’ll find several excellent playgrounds (e.g. JáSám or V lese).
Does the hotel have its own parking?
Yes, the hotel offers parking in its own courtyard, which is subject to a fee. However, due to limited capacity, you need to reserve a parking space in advance. Access to the hotel leads through a pedestrian zone.
How far is it from the hotel to Horní náměstí (Upper Square)?
The hotel is located in the historic centre on Univerzitní street. You can reach Horní náměstí with its astronomical clock and Holy Trinity Column in just a few minutes at a leisurely pace.
Are the rooms equipped with air conditioning?
Unfortunately, air conditioning is not available in all rooms. Especially in the attic sections of the historic building, it can get hot during the summer months, so we recommend requesting a room on a lower floor in summer.
Where can you entertain children in Olomouc when it’s raining?
Right by the hotel you’ll find a beautiful play area with café JáSám (opposite the astronomical clock), café V lese with a Montessori playroom, or the classic play area Človíčkov. A great alternative for older children is the nearby Pevnost poznání (Fort of Knowledge).
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