THE Czech Republic is understandably not a popular ski destination for Brits as we are blessed with the European Alps almost on our doorstep.

We do ourselves a disservice though if for no other reason than the fact we’re missing out on a trip to the Ještěd Hotel, a crazy supervillain lair near the city of Liberec.

It might be one of the best known buildings in Czechia, but tourists in this area are few and far between and it is hardly known outside of the country.

Getting to the hotel used to be a doddle via the Ještěd cable car, but after a serious accident in 2021 where the télécabine became detached and plummeted to the ground, the system has been closed indefinitely – so you may need to hike up the hill, although there is a road providing the snow isn’t dumping.

The hotel was designed at the height of the 60s space race and officially opened in 1973. However, as little as 15 years ago the building had been let go and prematurely condemned to tired old relic status.

But in 2015 a group of community members intervened with the intent to preserve it. They initiated a crowdfunding campaign and collaborated with the original interior designer to restore its former splendour from the 1960s and 1970s.

Their work paid off as a national survey of experts voted Ještěd ‘the most important Czech building of the 20th Century’.

Now we just need to find out what the apres’ like….

If you want to look further then check out this great video from The Tim Traveller