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A three-storey hotel room with a lift: a night at the Onyx Tower Suite
I’ve stayed in many luxury hotels, but I’ve never had my own lift right in my hotel room.
The Onyx Tower Suite at the Grandezza Hotel in Brno measures 95 m², spans three floors, has two bathrooms, a separate bedroom and a turret with two panoramic balconies.
Officially, it is the only three-storey suite of its kind in Brno. And perhaps even in the whole of the Czech Republic?
- 💬 Do you know of any other unique hotels in the Czech Republic? Let us know in the comments below the article – thanks!
- 🏨 Looking for more traditional accommodation in Brno? Here are some more tips for hotels in Brno
The night cost us around 519 eur. It’s a lot, but this time I didn’t choose the Grandezza just for the sake of a review… A significant event took place here that I’ll remember for the rest of my life.
But back to the review: was the Onyx really as exceptional as it looks in the photos?
The Onyx Tower Suite in a nutshell
| Our experience | |
|---|---|
| Hotel | Grandezza Hotel Luxury Palace |
| Location | Zelný trh, Brno |
| Size | 95 m² |
| Number of storeys | 3 |
| Capacity | 2 people |
| Price of our stay | 519 eur |
| Parking | 26 eur including valet service |
| Breakfast | standard hotel buffet |
| The biggest advantage | its own lift, turret and marble cladding |
| Biggest drawback | high price |
There is only one Onyx Tower Suite in the hotel. During popular periods, it may therefore be booked up well in advance, or its price may rise significantly.
Check the price of the Onyx Tower Suite
How much does a night in the Onyx Tower Suite cost?
For one night from Saturday to Sunday in August, we paid approximately 519 eur .
That’s a slightly lower price than usual.
Usually, the price ranges between 15,000 and 747 eur , but I’ve also seen prices exceeding 830 eur .
By Czech standards, 519 eur per night is a rather steep sum. There’s no need to pretend otherwise.
On the other hand, you’re not just paying for a larger room here. You’re paying for a space that is , in itself, the main attraction of your stay.
At a price of around 519 eur, I felt the value for money was fair. I’d probably be reluctant to pay more than 623 eur.
When searching on Booking.com, Onyx only appears among the room categories on dates when it is available.
If the price is too high, you can compare the standard rooms and suites at the Grandezza Hotel directly on the same page.
- 🏨 More hotel recommendations in Brno here
Why did we choose the Onyx?
The Grandezza is one of my partner’s favourite hotels, and even our very first stay together in the Junior Suite had a wonderful atmosphere.
So when I was looking for a venue for a special occasion, the Onyx Tower Suite was my first choice.
It’s special enough without us having to travel to the other end of Europe just for one night.
Before we arrived, I arranged for a bouquet of flowers with the hotel, which was waiting for us in the main living area. Communication with the staff was flawless, both over the phone and online.
We also found a chilled bottle of sparkling wine on the table as a courtesy from the hotel. Another bottle was waiting for us in a small fridge right at the top of the turret. A very nice touch!
The actual proposal didn’t end up taking place on one of the balconies, but in the main living area. In any case, we left the Onyx Tower Suite as an engaged couple, so you probably can’t expect a completely objective review from me 😊
Ground floor: a huge living area
The Onyx Tower Suite is situated on the 5th floor, right in the centre of the building in a turret.
The room’s centrepiece is a bespoke onyx wall featuring three round, nautical-style windows. Although the windows are relatively small, the room was surprisingly light.
The living area is equipped with:
- a large sofa
- a coffee table
- a huge television
- a rocking chair
- a dining table
- several wardrobes
- a coffee machine
- a minibar
I really liked the main living area. It’s magnificent, unusual and, at first glance, very different from a standard hotel suite.
The only part that struck me as a bit cheap was the finish on part of the wooden ceiling. Compared to the beautiful onyx wall, the chandelier and the bathrooms, it didn’t look quite as upmarket.
But that’s really just a minor detail.
This is simply a stunning space, and it gave me almost that kind of genuine, childlike joy!
Two bathrooms and a double bath
There are two separate bathrooms on the lower floor.
The first is really large and its centrepiece is a huge bath, which can easily accommodate two people. Surprisingly, however, there is no toilet in it.
That is located in the second, smaller bathroom, where you’ll also find a very nice separate shower cubicle.
The Lötz-style stained-glass panelling in both bathrooms is unique and, in my opinion, just as beautiful as the onyx wall in the main room.
Second floor: bedroom and private lift
You can reach the second floor via the staircase or take the private lift, which is part of the suite.
I’ve never experienced a lift right inside a hotel room before.
It’s, of course, a bit of an unnecessary luxury, but at the same time one of the things that makes the Onyx Tower Suite absolutely unique.
On the second floor, there is a separate bedroom.
The bed has a very thick mattress, which at first glance might seem unnecessarily large. However, we found it extremely comfortable to sleep on, and its quality was one of the best features of the suite.
In the bedroom you’ll find:
- a small television
- additional wardrobes
- a separate toilet with a washbasin
There really is plenty of storage space throughout the Onyx.
I always appreciate that, although during our one-night stay we obviously didn’t have a chance to use most of the wardrobes.
Check the current prices for the Onyx Tower Suite
Third floor: a turret overlooking Brno
The lift does not go up to the top floor.
You have to climb a very narrow, winding staircase, which certainly won’t be comfortable for everyone. For larger people or travellers with reduced mobility, access to the turret can be downright problematic.
The turret itself is small. Inside, you’ll find two chairs and, between them, a small fridge containing a bottle of sparkling wine.
To be honest, I was expecting more comfortable armchairs rather than ordinary chairs. If you want to sit here for any length of time, the comfort isn’t exactly ideal.
Part of the floor is made of glass, and there are small panoramic balconies on both sides of the turret.
And the view is the main reason why it’s worth climbing up here.
From the balconies, you can see Zelný trh, Petrov, Špilberk… In fact, you can literally see the whole of Brno. When you combine the views from both balconies, you have a 360° panoramic view of the entire city.
A romantic moment in the turret with a glass of sparkling wine – included in the room rate – is a truly unique experience.
I even happened to wake up the next day just a few minutes before sunrise (which is after 5 am in August) and it was worth it just for that moment alone!
Does the air conditioning work even during heatwaves?
We were in Brno during the height of the summer heatwave. It was 37 °C outside, so I was a bit worried about how comfortable it would be living right under the roof.
Fortunately, the air conditioning in the main living area and the bedroom is very powerful. We had a comfortable temperature on both floors throughout our stay.
One drawback is that the air-conditioning controls are located only by the front door. This means you can’t adjust the temperature directly from your bed.
There is no air conditioning in the turret, and it got really hot in there on a hot day.
However, given the glazing, the position directly under the roof and the open balconies, I hadn’t expected anything else.
Perfect blackout
The blackout facilities in both the main room and the bedroom work brilliantly.
The blinds on the main windows let in practically no light at all. A little light does get in through the turret, but as it is situated above the bedroom, it does not disturb your sleep in any way.
Combined with the comfortable bed, we slept really well.
Facilities in the Onyx Tower Suite
The basic facilities are similar to those in the other rooms at Grandezza:
- minibar
- safe
- electric kettle
- iron and ironing board
- bathrobes
- hotel slippers
- a complimentary bottle of Mattoni water
Unlike the Junior Suite, we finally had a capsule coffee machine here too. It goes without saying in the Presidential Suite, but in my opinion it should be standard in all rooms of a five-star hotel.
In the Junior Suite, there’s only instant coffee.
The Věžička also has its own small fridge with a bottle of sparkling wine included in the price of the stay.
Watch out for the slippery stairs
The biggest practical issue with the Onyx Tower Suite is the staircase.
The stairs between the floors are very slippery. I recommend exercising the utmost caution when walking, particularly in hotel slippers.
Even more problematic is the narrow spiral staircase leading up to the turret. Not only is it steep, but some guests may find it really cramped.
If you have limited mobility, the main living area and the bedroom, which are accessible by lift, will be available to you, but you will not be able to reach the top turret.
Pre-arrival and evening service
Communication with the hotel prior to our stay was flawless.
The bouquet we’d ordered in advance was prepared exactly as agreed, and a complimentary chilled bottle of sparkling wine was also waiting for us on the table.
In the evening, the staff offered us turndown service. We declined, but the chambermaid at least brought us two small Lindt chocolates.
It’s just a small detail, but in my opinion, little touches like this are exactly what you’d expect from a stay in the presidential suite.
Valet parking
Hotel parking costs 26 eur per day and is located in the car parks of the Velký Špalíček shopping centre.
The standard rate for public parking at Velký Špalíček is 23 eur per 24 hours, so you pay an additional 3 eur for the valet service.
Standard cars are not permitted to drive directly into Zelný trh. The hotel will therefore send you a Guest Card before your arrival, containing authorisation and a detailed route from Šilingrovo náměstí.
Access to the area is valid for the entire duration of your stay.
The valet service works well here. Simply stop anywhere in front of the hotel, tell reception that your car is outside, and you won’t have to worry about it at all from then on.
The service worked brilliantly at check-out too; we didn’t have to wait for the car at all.
If you need the car at any time during your stay, simply let reception know and you’ll be given a parking card for your departure and any return journey.
Breakfast is the same as for a standard room
Guests staying in the Onyx Tower Suite receive exactly the same breakfast as all other hotel guests.
Unfortunately, this means a fairly standard buffet with eggs, sausages, cheese, cold meats, bread and pastries, and a limited selection of sweet treats, fruit and vegetables.
If you have the option to choose a cheaper rate without breakfast, we’d happily go for that next time and head to our favourite Egga instead.
You can find a more detailed assessment of the breakfast, the standard Junior Suite and other services in our full review of the Grandezza Hotel.
What we liked and what we didn’t like so much
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ Three separate floors | ❌ Very slippery staircase |
| ✅ Private lift directly in the room | ❌ Extremely narrow entrance to the turret |
| ✅ Two panoramic balconies | ❌ There are no comfortable armchairs in the turret |
| ✅ Views across the whole of Brno | ❌ The air conditioning can only be controlled from the entrance |
| ✅ Unique onyx panelling | ❌ It gets hot in the turret during the summer |
| ✅ Very comfortable bed | ❌ The same average breakfast as in standard rooms |
| ✅ A huge amount of space | |
| ✅ Excellent service |
Who is the Onyx Tower Suite for?
The Onyx is simply a room for special occasions. I probably wouldn’t think of spending over 415 eur on a night’s stay during a normal visit to Brno, but I reckon it would be perfect for:
- engagements
- anniversaries
- birthdays
- a romantic weekend
- lovers of unusual hotels
- travellers for whom the room itself is the main attraction
On the other hand, I wouldn’t choose it if:
- you simply want a comfortable place to stay overnight in the centre of Brno
- you’re expecting a thoroughly modern design
- you have difficulty with narrow or slippery stairs
- you don’t want to pay a hefty surcharge for the view and the unusual layout
- you’re expecting an exceptional breakfast that’s worth the price of the suite
Is the Onyx Tower Suite worth the price?
In my opinion, based on our 519 eur, it is. Of course, it depends on the occasion.
It’s a hefty sum, but the Onyx offers an experience that can’t really be compared to a standard hotel room.
You get 95 m², three floors, your own lift, two bathrooms and private balconies in a turret overlooking Brno’s historic centre.
Not everything is perfect, though. The stairs are slippery, the chairs in the turret aren’t very comfortable, and the breakfast is downright boring for a hotel of this calibre.
Nevertheless, I really liked the Onyx. I’d never experienced a private lift in my room before, and the evening view from the turret whilst sipping a glass of sparkling wine is one of those moments I’ll always remember.
And, of course, we left here engaged.
I’d be hesitant to book at 1245 eur . However, at around 519 eur , the price seems reasonable for a one-off, exceptional experience.
Any questions left?
If you have any questions or comments about the article...
2 comments
Richard _4
Translated from cestee.cz
Well done, Kryštof, and thank you for your work :)
Sue Ellen Ewing
Translated from cestee.cz
Congratulations to you too – I thought you were gay.
Leoš Literák
Translated from cestee.cz
The lighting in the photo makes it look to me as though the young lady has been enhanced by AI 😂
Congratulations, and I hope it lasts.
Jakub Langer
Translated from cestee.cz
I’d like to add my congratulations.
A truly superb view of almost the whole of Štatl and, above all, Krautec (or Krautmarkt).
Kryštof Hájek
Translated from cestee.cz
Thanks to everyone :)
On a slightly different note…
I’d actually be quite interested to know the target audience for these reviews by Mr Hájek?!
The website’s name is ‘Cestujlevně’ (Travel Cheaply), yet the vast majority of reviews are aimed at the top ten thousand!
Yes – I must admit I read them with quite a bit of interest, as the attention to detail is perfect, but to follow up on my question – who are they for?
I’d go so far as to say that, from a practical point of view, this might appeal to about 5 per cent of readers – or, in this case, perhaps 1 per cent…
For everyone :) Just for interest’s sake, for inspiration. After all, Cestujlevne.com hasn’t just been about cheap travel for ages (although, of course, most of the content still is).
In the travel guides, destination articles and special-offer flight deals, I always try to include tips on various categories of accommodation and experiences, starting with the cheapest options, as I often consider these myself.
But the reviews are mainly about our personal travel experiences. I’ve recently been through a phase where I wanted to try out better hotels and used my air miles to fly business class. From autumn onwards, it’ll be the opposite again, when I’ll be writing about low-cost flights to Asia.
Simply put, our travels are just as they are. That’s why it’s not really possible to alternate between cheap and expensive hotels in these reviews. This has been a period of ‘curiosity’, and the coming months will see a return to more ‘practical’ reviews.
Nothing more, nothing less ;)
OK, I get it, but I just couldn’t help myself…
I’d meant to write this earlier, but I’ve only just got round to it because on a website called Cetujlevně, they’re charging over 12 litres a night in Brno :) That was the last straw :)
The guides here are top-notch; I don’t really use any others.
All the best!
But to be honest, I’d recommend this particular room for special occasions like this any day! :) I’ve genuinely never experienced anything quite like it. But when we go back there for the Christmas markets, we’ll definitely be staying somewhere else – that’s for sure.
So, specifically, I still have four reviews to write about the business class flights I’ve already taken, and then from September/October onwards, reviews from the other end of the spectrum will start coming in: VietJetAir, Scoot, night train journeys in Vietnam, Generator in Barcelona (in my opinion, the best value for money in the city centre), and so on. :)
I, on the other hand, think that a curiosity like this could attract quite a few new readers.
Well, I’ll admit I’m one of those people :-) Unfortunately, quite a few of us have ‘grown up’ – at heart we’re still ‘low-cost’, but our life circumstances, attitudes and financial situations have simply changed. So I still occasionally sleep in the car, more for the adventure, but now only once every 14-day tour of the US (and also so the children can experience what it’s like to wake up in the countryside and enjoy the whole day), whereas before it used to be every other day, partly because of the cost, and back then with three other friends. Flights – I still enjoy finding really cheap flights, even in economy class, but for long-haul flights, for example, I tend to fly business class – and I try to find them and piece them together using miles and other deals to keep the cost as low as possible – on principle, not that I couldn’t afford the full price, but I just don’t really want to pay it. Hotels – same thing; I’d much rather sleep in the car than in a dingy place – and the next day, I’m happy to stay in a 5* :-) For me, those reviews are brilliant, even though Kryštof is simply still several levels above the rest – they’re great for inspiration. And congratulations, Kryštof – I’m just afraid that the young lady, soon to be a young Mrs, has certainly got quite used to those first-class flights and other experiences :-) Don’t go overboard :-) On the other hand, you’ve got to make the most of it when you can. So I really like this mix here – cheap flights, but also the occasional high-end option, both for flights and hotels. Of course, it might be possible to separate them somehow on the website, but it doesn’t bother me at all this way (if there’s something I don’t want to read, I’ll just skip it – there’s no need to criticise it; it might simply catch someone else’s interest).
Thanks for the comment, Lukáš :) That’s how we approach it – if the opportunity arises, we’ll make the most of it. When it’s no longer available, we’ll enjoy experiences from a different sphere again ;)
Originally, there was a simple business plan behind it – we translate reviews onto Cestee, and the reach is dramatically different globally or just amongst an English-speaking audience.
But there’s also good potential for reviews in the Czech and Slovak markets. It simply fits in with the concept of the whole website. Every now and then, a pricing error or an otherwise attractive offer in business class pops up here, and then it’s great to draw on a review to show people why they should or shouldn’t pay extra compared to economy.
I certainly agree, however, that this section isn’t intended for the mainstream – not even in terms of inspiration. We’re aware of that, and that’s fine by us :)