My travel plans are changing due to work so instead of Sept/Oct I might end up leaving for April/May so that leaves me a few months to plan. Right now I need to find hotels and the key for me in finding hotels is focusing on an area. Campo D Fiore/Pantheon/Piazza Navona is to Rome, Mala Strana/Stare Mesto is for Prague, Latin Quarters is for Paris etc etc What could be my focus areas in finding hotels when in:
Berlin Dresden Budapest Salsburg Vienna Munich Brno Bratislava
Any ideas??? I want somewhere close to main attractions, we love to walk and we can walk till the cows come home so I really dont mind walking 5-10 mins to get into the action. I want the area to be safe. Close to transit/train systems. Central is think is a good word to describe the area I want to be in.
If you have hotel suggestions that would even be better. We really dont stay in the hotel except to store our luggage and sleep so our main criteria are; CLEAN!!!!, comfortable, safe and secure, strategically located and reasonably priced (less than 200 USD per night)
And yes I did search the forums for hotels and apartments but there really wasnt a lot to choose from for the cities I mentioned so I would rather get an idea on what area and I can take it from there
thanks in advance
Posts: 109 | Location: Chicago, IL | Registered: 05 January 2006
Since the time before you leave has shortened considerably, I think you might have trouble finding anything you want in the most "desirable" sections of these cities. It has been too long since we have been in Berlin or Munich, so I can't speak about those cities. Salzburg is small enough that I don't think it would matter much where you stayed. (And are you still determined to stay there rather than in a smaller location?) We stayed in a commercial area of Pest when we were in Budapest; many people prefer the Buda side of the Danube, which is hillier and more residential. Actually, in any of the larger cities, the public transportation system is very good (Prague, Vienna, Budapest, Berlin) so that, honestly, you really wouldn't have to stay "in the center."
Since I've lived a good portion of my life in or near cities such as New York and Philadelphia, I'm used to taking public transportation. I'd assume that, if you live in Chicago, you've done the same.
At this point, I'd suggest that you get on one of the hotel sites (such as venere.com) and see what turns up. Their maps should also show you metro stops.
We used to stay at the Meridien in Budapest--back when the dollar was strong (in the good old days when a euro cost .90); now it would probably be too expensive for us. But the last time we were in Budapest--about 2 years ago, we got a room at the Marriott for around $70. on Priceline. We would not normally stay at the Marriott but for the price it was wonderful. If you're interested in Priceline, try www.biddingfortravel.com for more information on strategies.
In Berlin: either Mitte or Charlottenburg. There are many hotels to choose from in both areas. The city has two major metropolitan centers because it was divided down the middle. Mitte is the heart of what was the former eastern part, and Charlottenburg was always part of West Berlin. I would personally choose Mitte--great museums, shopping, sightseeing.
Here is a German website for vacation rentals in Mitte.
In Dresden,you want to be near the Altstadt (historic city center).
Here is an apartment which looks nice and seems to be in the right area.
Here is a hotel in Budapest with a great location on the Buda side and good prices. I would definitely recommend Mala Strana in Prague and a hotel on/near the Ring in Vienna, for the ease of transportation. You can search the messages at Fodors for hotel recommendations in each town.
Aloha, Ann
Posts: 1503 | Location: Sunset Beach (Haleiwa), Hawaii, USA | Registered: 16 September 2001
I would definitely recommend Mala Strana in Prague
Ann,
Why do you prefer the Mala Strana over a location on the other side of the river? I know it's more residential and less commercial, but is it any more convenient?
It's more convenient to the castle and less crowded (at least a bit) than the other side, especially when you get off the main drag. I was amazed at how crowded Prague was, even in October.
Aloha, Ann
Posts: 1503 | Location: Sunset Beach (Haleiwa), Hawaii, USA | Registered: 16 September 2001
Robin, we stayed here for 3 nights in Český Krumlov and were delighted with our large, old-fashioned room and huge bathroom. You might check the price here versus the Hotel Old Inn.
Aloha, Ann
Posts: 1503 | Location: Sunset Beach (Haleiwa), Hawaii, USA | Registered: 16 September 2001
I don't know if you'll have a car, but, if you do, you might want to consider staying outside Salzburg. We have stayed twice at the Watzmann Hotel in Berchtesgaden. It is comfortable, inexpensive, has good breakfast and dinner plus a wonderful view of the mountains. Salzburg is only 15 miles away and I thought it was easy to find parking near the pedestrian-only zone in Salzburg.
I don't have a web link for the Watzman, but you can find it on TripAdvisor.
Posts: 169 | Location: Fairfax, VA | Registered: 30 June 2005
Unfortunately we will not have a car when we do this trip. We will heavily rely on the public transport syste. Ive read that in those places that we plan to visit the train/tram system is very good. So far here is where I am booked. OUr trip dates are set.
These rates are in EURO without breakfast and include all taxes
April 28 thru May 1st - Movenpick hotel in Berlin (mitte area) - 113 Euro per night
May 1-2 - Artotel in Dresden - 104/night
May 2-4 - NO HOTEL YET FOR PRAGUE - NEED HELP!!!! (ive checked cloister hotel-too expensive for that quality, tyl hotel-anyone stayed in here, vlasska apartments real cheap and same owners as the arcadia residence but not sure of the quality from the pics, anyone stayed in here?)
May 4-5 - overnight train to Budapest
May 5-7 - NO HOTEL YET - NEED HELP!!!! The hotels that I really like are way too expensive but I might cough it up Le Meridien, Hotel Andrassy. The one that might be within my price range is NH Budapest for 105 a night prepaid but im not sure yet
May 7-10 - Hollmann Beletage in Vienna 120/night
May 10-11 - Salzburg NONE yet May 11-13 - Munich None yet.
I need to get a hotel for these places, im beginning to go on panic mode
Posts: 109 | Location: Chicago, IL | Registered: 05 January 2006
We will be staying at the Hotel Tyl in Prague in May, but not until the end of the month. It has gotten good reviews on TripAdvisor and venere.com, and it looks rather nice. We were able to get very good rates through venere.com, but those I've seen on different sites vary greatly. Have you checked to see if any rooms are still available for the dates you plan to be there?
When I checked the middleman internet sites they were all fully booked but when I contacted the hotel they quoted me 118 per night. How much was your rate? I would think end of May is more expensive. I might just book this for now and jsut cancel if I find a better one. This would be better than nothing for now. Just so you know they are pleased when I booked with them directly that they gave me a 15 percent discount. That rate was originally 139. So try contacting the hotel directly through email and compare it with what you got from venere.
Robin
Posts: 109 | Location: Chicago, IL | Registered: 05 January 2006
Originally posted by RobinD: April 28 thru May 1st - Movenpick hotel in Berlin (mitte area) - 113 Euro per night
BTW, the hotel is right outside the S-Bahn staion (Anhalter Bahnhof). You take the lift up to the ground then the hotel is literally across the street. Enjoy Berlin!
May 5-7 - Hotel Andrassy 109 Euro per night excluding taxes (134,87 EUR with tax) www.andrassyhotel.com - This to me is quite expensive and im still searching for something similar quality for less (might be impossible)
These are very pricey places you are staying at.I guess places aimed fair and square at the US market.I counted on 60 euros a night for a double, just booking a room in a gasthof via the tourist agencies at main stations.in Prague it was just 35 for a double, but about 15 mins out on the streetcar.
Robin, I think you have done a really great job. Here is another to check out in Salzburg---the Goldene Ente They might not have room but they are part of a group in Salzburg which we really like.
I don't know Peter... the prices you are looking at might exist, but you need first to make sure that the quality of the lodgings are comparable...ie, not near the train station, not in dodgy neighborhoods, good three to four star standard, stylish, etc. I don't know that the Moevenpick or any of the others are aimed specifically at Americans, and none of them seem terribly overpriced. I would say they were geared for the upper middle international market. It is always important to compare apples to apples.
Thanks Diana, I did exert a lot of effort in researching for these hotels. I enjoy doing that but it gets frustrating when you hit roadblocks like prices, too many choices, availability etc etc. I just checked reviews for this hotel and LOCATION is something everyone is raving about. However quite a few people complain about the rooms and some aesthetics. What was your experience?
On the pricing thoughts, I believe in the saying "You get what you pay for" and this really changes from one person to another depending on your criteria. My criteria is LOCATION, CLEANLINESS and COMFORT, SAFETY and a touch of style and a pinch of luxury. All that being said, I really dont think you can find that in a place for less than 75 Euros per night. That is why my pricepoint average is 150 dollars per night. For some people this maybe expensive for some it maybe cheap but for me and my preferences I feel that it is just about right. As you can see in this trip I did splurge in one hotel and scrimped on the others ... budget distribution as I call it
Posts: 109 | Location: Chicago, IL | Registered: 05 January 2006
Slow Travel Talk 
