We plan a visit to Berlin and Prague the last of April and first of May and need recommendations on affordable hotels. It has been really difficult locating info for Prague and we were even thinking of going to Munich instead. Any help would be great.

Here's a link to a good overview of Prague. We visited the Czech Republic several years ago and enjoyed the days we spent in Prague. In terms of hotels, they can be expensive...decide which neighborhood you want to stay in and make your reservation as early as possible.<BR><BR>http://frommers.com/destinations/prague/

Check out nethotels.com for both hotel and event information. Also www.avetravel.cz for Prague hotels. We stayed at Penzion Balbin on Balbinova near the Muzeum Metro & Wenceslas Square and 5-10 minute walk to just about anywhere you want to go--it is 3-star, clean, safe.

We recently stayed at the Carmer 16 in Berlin at about $90 for two--partially because of comments on this board. Our requirements were 3*, nonsmoking room with hairdryer and ensuite bath, takes credit cards, near the main train station. The hotel was about 10-minute walk from station on quiet side street. They gave us room on the first floor that they said "they made so you would not know anyone smoked there" and it was OK. They had us use the stairs rather than the elevator in the back--don't know why. The room was large, bathroom small. You put the key in a slot to enable electricity. The staff was nice and when we told them we would check out and leave before breakfast the next day, they prepared sandwiches and fruit for us to take instead on the train. Breakfast buffet had cereals, bread, meats, eggs, etc.

There is plenty of good info on budget hotels in Prague in some guidebooks. There are tons of websites on Prague hotels, although no recommendations, of course. I'd suggest Cheap Sleeps in Prague, Vienna and Budapest as well as Frommer's guide to Prague.

There are also many, many recommendations contained in previous postings on this board--look under Czech Republic, you'll see over a dozen messages about hotels in the first 50 messages.