Hotel Bily Kun

The Hotel Bily Kun (White Horse) – one of the oldest in Europe – was built on the main square in Loket in the middle of the 16th century. The town of Loket was founded in the year 1234. Its name, which means “elbow”, mirrors the fact that the town is beautifully surrounded on three sides by the Ohře River, as if the river is holding the town.

Holy Trinity column embellishes the main square at Loket, surrounded by Loket’s town hall built in early Baroque style, the ancient Church of Saint Wenceslas and the elegant Hotel Bily Kun building, simply illustrating Goethe’s well-known saying: “architecture is silent music”. The memorial plaque on the hotel facade indicates that the famous German poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe stayed at the Hotel Bily Kun 7 times from 1807 until 1823. Goethe once said: "Today, we visited Loket, its location is beautiful beyond description and it can be admired from all sides as a topographical work of art."

The last visit by Goethe to the hotel tells one of the most romantic stories in the world. Goethe celebrated his 74th birthday on the Schwartzenberg terrace of the hotel (it is now an historical monument) on 28 August 1823. During this memorable party, Goethe proposed to 19-year-old Ulrika von Levetzow. After his offer was unexpectedly turned down, the poet left Loket bound for Mariánské Lázně (Marienbad), where he wrote the legendary Marienbad Elegy. Goethe never returned to Loket and Ulrika lived to the age of 93 without ever marrying.

The Hotel Bily Kun enshrouded with the glory of Goethe is ideal for a sabbatical leave, tourism, a business trip or a family or active holiday.

Loket and its surrounding areas are ideal for walks and bike rides. The paths starting in the town’s outskirts wend their way through an ancient forest with unspoiled natural surroundings and pass by cliffs and hill springs. The famous Svatosch cliffs are only 5 km from the hotel. Canoeing and kayaking fans love new routes with various levels of difficulty on the Ohře River. Spa treatments are directed at helping people recover from heart or lung problems or recuperate after surgery or heart attacks. Loket is a place of pilgrimage for many tourists from all over the world.

The Hotel Bily Kun is the largest on the main town square; it has the biggest restaurant and the largest terrace – the only one in the old town – with a beautiful view of the river and the hills. The hotel can accommodate up to 65 guests in 31 cozy suites at any time. The refined furnishings in the hotel suites are enhanced by the beautiful views through the windows – overseeing the castle or picturesque hills. Every hotel suite is equipped with a modern bathroom, TV, phone and has unrestricted Internet access. The

Hotel Bily Kun not only provides comfort, but also immerses you in history.