Just returned from a wonderful trip to Eastern Europe. My wife (48 years) and I (63) use budget hotels (2-3 star)with private bath. Many of which were found at this site. All were booked via the internet. You can find via Google. Here's our experiences:

Krakow, Poland: Polonia Hotel. About $60. Nice 3 star hotel on the edge of old town. Good european breakfast. Would stay there again. Very quiet. Bus from airport stops right in front of hotel. 5 minute walk from old town.

Prague, CZ: Hotel Merlin. About $60. Convenient location two blocks from subway. Large room. A little dingy. On 4th floor. No elevator. Breakfast extra and not worth it. Would not stay there again. Rather would find a place a little further out but near subway line as subway is very convienient to get around.

Vienna, Austria: Pension Dr Giessler. About $110. Convieniently located inside the ring one block from subway. Small clean room. Very helful staff. Good breakfast. Hard to find anything decent that is cheaper. Would stay there again but also would look for something outside the ring but close to subway.

Budapest, Hungary: Hotel Medosz. About $60. On the Pest side one block from subway. No character but clean and convienient. Best towels of the trip. Good breakfast. Rooms facing street noisy. Ask for inside room. Would stay there again.

London: Victoria Inn (on Belgrave). 49 pounds. Small, small room. Helpful staff. Tiny shower/bath. Adequate breakfast but not an English breakfast.10 minute walk to Victoria station which was our main prerequiste as we were going to Wimbledon. Would stay there again.

Tips: 1. Bring own wash cloth
2. Bring own toilet paper
3. Have hotel email you clear instructions how to get to hotel from airport/train station.
4. Buy city map before you go, ie. Streetwise, else get map from city chamber of commerce to include subway and bus maps.
5. Relax!!

Thanks LeoDee for the report. I also use budget hotels. I have stayed at the Polonia Hotel and the Pension Dr. Giessler. I agree with your report. I would stay there again.

I know it's nitpicking, but the people who live in the countries you mention really prefer that you refer to <i>central</i> Europe as <i>central Europe</i>, as I understand it.

Fully one-third of the land mass of Europe (and perhaps a similar fraction of the population?) lies <i>to the east of</i> Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria and Hungary. These four countries are in &quot;eastern&quot; Europe, kinda like Wisconsin, Illinois, Arkansas and Missouri are in the &quot;eastern United States&quot;.

But I'm glad to hear about your hotel finds and experiences.

Best wishes,

Rex

Rex is absolutely correct. Eastern europe is farther east - ie russia. Austria, Czech Republic etc have always been in central europe - except to a few confused tour companies.

Sorry - hit post too soon. Central europe is not just a physical location - it also refers to the history and culture of these countries - which is significantly tied to western europe (Renaissance, reformation, growth of democracy etc) in a way that the countries of eastern europe are not.