The Augustine hotel in Prague, Kempinski’s first acquisition since 1970, will relaunch in early 2027

Kempinski has acquired the Augustine in Prague outright, a 101-room hotel set in the Augustinian monastery of St Thomas: it is the group’s first acquisition since its investment in the Vier Jahreszeiten in Munich, in 1970. Announced on 2 April 2026, the purchase will lead to a relaunch as the Kempinski Augustine Hotel, Prague, which the group now places in early 2027. In the meantime, the hotel remains open and bookable.

☰Contents

1. Kempinski’s first acquisition since 1970
2. Seven buildings in an 800-year-old monastery
3. What does LDS have in store for the Augustine?
4. Twelve alchemical gates at the Refectory Bar
5. A Kepler Tower Suite in a second phase
6. The E.R.A.s programme comes from Munich
7. Still open and bookable ahead of 2027

Kempinski’s first acquisition since 1970

The Geneva-based group has been running the Augustine on a white-label basis since 1 April 2026. Until then, the address flew the flag of The Luxury Collection, a Marriott brand. Kempinski did not simply sign a management contract: it took full ownership of the hotel, something it had not done since the Vier Jahreszeiten in Munich, in 1970. The group is moving ahead on other fronts too, such as the construction of the Kempinski Shekinah Palace in Douala.

The timetable, however, has slipped. The April press release announced the switch to the Kempinski brand for late 2026, a date the hotel’s website still displays. The 13 October announcement sets the relaunch for early 2027, once the repositioning programme is complete.

Seven buildings in an 800-year-old monastery

The hotel occupies part of the St Thomas monastery in the Malá Strana district, at the foot of Prague Castle. The site has more than 800 years of history and a community of Augustinian monks still lives there. The property spreads across seven historic buildings; many of its 101 rooms, including 20 suites, keep their original vaults and beams.

The public areas bring together the Monastic Library, more than 400 m² of lounges and more than 650 m² of terraces and gardens. In the same city, see also what Hyatt has made of the Sugar Palace with Andaz Prague.

What does LDS have in store for the Augustine?

According to the 13 October announcement, the interiors have been entrusted to the studio LDS, led by Massimo Severo Barbera as creative director. The project is framed around a “lived duality” between the monastic heritage and the Gothic, Baroque and Bohemian influences of Prague. No renderings of the new interiors have been released so far: the photos in this article show the hotel as it is today.

In the public spaces, Kempinski is planning a Collector’s Table devoted to Czech artisans and a “Living City Ceiling” created with a local artist.

Twelve alchemical gates at the Refectory Bar

Set in the former refectory, the Refectory Bar will draw on George Ripley’s twelve stages of alchemy. Its “12 Gates” menu will bring together seasonal infusions, small-batch local absinthes and St. Thomas dark beer. Every evening at sunset, the “Transformation Hour” will carry the bar from day into night.

Born of the monastery’s brewing heritage, St. Thomas beer is already served here, and the former St. Thomas brewery is used as an events venue. For food and drink, Kempinski is working with Gorgeous Group (Robbie Bargh) and Russell Sage Studio: an all-day neighbourhood restaurant with a brasserie, semi-private lounges and a courtyard.

A Kepler Tower Suite in a second phase

Five signature suites have been announced: a Presidential Suite inspired by Václav Havel, the Monastery Suite, the Philosopher’s Stone Suite, the Charles Suite and the Fresco Suite. The Tower Suite, set over three levels as a tribute to the astronomer Johannes Kepler, is planned for a second phase. The photos above show the hotel’s current suites.

The E.R.A.s programme comes from Munich

Launched at the Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski in Munich, the E.R.A.s (Experience Real Access) programme will connect guests with Praguers and with experiences chosen by resident curators. The idea: to open the monastery up to life in Malá Strana, a few steps from St Nicholas Church.

Still open and bookable ahead of 2027

During the transition, the hotel welcomes guests with the Augustine Restaurant and its jazz brunch, the Refectory Bar, the Augustine Spa and a fitness room.

On 13 October 2026, we found a 32 m² Deluxe King room on the official website at 8,640 CZK, or about €350, for the night of 12 to 13 November 2026 for two, at the non-refundable public rate without breakfast. The member rate drops to 7,776 CZK, the flexible rate rises to 12,300 CZK, and breakfast costs an extra 2,000 CZK. For another night in a former religious building, see Castel Badia, an 11th-century convent hotel in the Dolomites.