Kempinski Hotels has acquired Augustine Hotel Prague, marking the group’s first acquisition in more than 50 years and a strategic shift toward an asset-heavier business model. The last such investment was the Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski Munich in 1970.
Located in historic Malá Strana beneath Prague Castle, Augustine Hotel Prague sits within the walls of the Augustinian Monastery of St. Thomas, a site dating back more than 800 years. The property features 101 guest rooms, including 20 suites, specialty restaurants, two bar concepts including The Refectory Bar, a spa and fitness center, The Monastic Library, over 400 sqm of meeting space and more than 650 sqm of outdoor terraces and gardens.
“Kempinski was founded on a simple belief: that hospitality should enable guests to experience the best of The Good Life,” said Barbara Muckermann, CEO of Kempinski Group. “Since its origin, Kempinski has defined luxury not as status or formality, but as generosity and joy, curating experiences from the heart of the destination and deriving richness from its culture and communities. As we evolve our business and brand strategy, we are bringing this heritage back to life with the modern-day traveler in mind.”
“Opportunities to acquire hotels like Augustine Hotel, Prague, are exceptionally rare,” said Muckermann. “This investment offered a unique and compelling opportunity to secure a heritage asset in a top-tier European luxury destination while also creating a grand showcase for The Good Life as the future of Kempinski as an ultra-luxury brand.”
“Rather than pursuing uniformity, we believe that Kempinski’s brand strength lies in its collection of highly individual properties, many of which are historic, architectural landmarks and are deeply resonant of the destinations’ culture and community,” said Barbara. “As a storied hotel that is recognized for its deep history, cultural significance and architectural heritage, Augustine Hotel, Prague is not only an ideal addition to Kempinski’s heritage-led, global portfolio, it is set to become the first truly physical and experiential representation of the Kempinski of the Future. We look forward to welcoming this iconic hotel into the Kempinski family as a flag bearer for the brand’s continued leadership in luxury hospitality.”
“As traditional luxury still operates within fixed frameworks, our strategy is to take a bold, intentional approach integrating product and experience with the cultural depth and character of every destination we operate in,” said Rasha Lababidi, Chief Product and Experience Officer, Kempinski Group. Augustine Hotel, Prague marks a defining moment in how we bring Kempinski’s next chapter to life. It is an exciting opportunity to reimagine a true historic icon in a way that’s relevant to modern day travelers.”
“As part of a carefully curated portfolio of storied hotels and hyper-local immersions, Augustine Hotel, Prague will serve as an expression of our future blueprint across design, F&B, wellness, and guest experiences on and off property,” said Lababidi. “With direct ownership, we can shape that vision with precision, translating our brand seamlessly across every touchpoint of the guest journey.”
The hotel will operate as a white-label luxury property from April 1, 2026, through late 2026, during which Kempinski will undertake a design-led refurbishment of all rooms and public spaces. The property will be reflagged under the Kempinski name in late 2026.