MISSION To destress thoroughly during a tense period of house-buying.

USP Spa treatments in one of Europe’s most stunning city settings, five minutes’ walk from the Gothic beauty of the Charles Bridge.

AMBIENCE The Mandarin Oriental is a new kid on the block and manages to fit seamlessly into exquisitely beautiful and historic surroundings. The Mandarin Oriental has converted a 17th-century complex – which served first as a Dominican monastery, then the state printing works – into a 99-room hotel and spa. The spa occupies a former Renaissance chapel, itself built on top of a 14th-century convent church, the ruins of which have been preserved and can be seen under the glass floor of the lobby. Specifically Christian resonances are muted (the lobby is the former chapel nave) or have been transformed into a kind of “world religion” blend, with a discreet smell of incense. There are also Eastern-inspired touches, such as a bamboo-furnished tea lounge.

QUALITY OF EXPERIENCE Many different styles of body wrap, scrub and massage (from the firmest Swedish to the gentlest aromatherapy) are offered, but the signature approach is tailoring the treatment to individal requirements. I opted for the Mandarin Oriental’s trademark Time Ritual, with a fragrant and relaxing linden blossom body scrub, inspired by the therapeutic properties of the Czech Republic’s national tree. This was followed by a thorough Swedish deep-tissue massage, performed with such skill by the Egyptian-born therapist Wael that I drifted off to sleep halfway through. My ritual ended with a reviving session in the vitality pool, where hydrotherapy jets soothe aching joints and muscles.

PRODUCTS All massage oils and facial and body products come from Aromatherapy Associates, which uses naturally produced essential oils.

FOOD The hotel’s Essensia restaurant blends oriental and European (Italian and Czech) cuisine. A special feature is the local Czech wine, which can be surprisingly good, particularly the Sauvignon Blanc from South Moravia.

IN CROWD In the six months since opening, the Mandarin Oriental has attracted a mix of pop stars (Madonna, Seal), the model Heidi Klum and the Dalai Lama. British, German and American culture vultures make up a good proportion of the guests.

WALLET WATCH A double room costs from €370 (£250) a night. The Time Ritua1 spa treatment (1 hour, 50 minutes) costs £125.

NEED TO KNOW Mandarin Oriental, Prague, Czech Republic; tel: 00 420 233 088 888, www.mandarinoriental.com . Return flights to Prague, with Czech Airlines, cost from £94, www.czechairlines.com

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