cmlyons

Has anyone stayed at any of these Hiltons? There are 2 Hiltons in each city and I was trying to get an idea which in each city is nicer and/or more centrally located for sightseeing. I haven't been to any of these cities, so any thoughts would be great. I have generally found that the Hiltons in European cities are a bit off the beaten track, which is okay if the hotel is close to public transportation and the public transportation is a good way to navigate the city. Thanks for your help!

Delaine

I stayed at the Budapest Hilton in the Buda Castle District last October. The hotel itself was very nice, typical Hilton, except for the fact that it incorporates the remnants of a tower from a 13th century monastery into the structure.

I did love the location though. Many of the rooms, including mine, look directly out onto the Danube below and Pest across the river. The view was beautiful, and I took some lovely sunrise shots through the window. The hotel is right next to the Matthias Church and Fishermen's Bastion. The entire Castle District is very quaint and charming. There are nice restaurants in the narrow streets around the hotel, and the Castle itself is only a short walk. It was nice to roam around the area in the evening when the daytrippers were gone.

It is a relatively inexepensive taxi ride from the hotel to Pest. Once in Pest you can walk or use the easy to navigate subway system.

joannyc

Prague Old Town - this was a Renaissance by Marriott. I stayed there a few years ago when it was a Renaissance and it was very nice. Did the same trip... Prague, Vienna, Budapest (but I added a night in Cesky Krumlov, highly recommended!) Newly refurbished by Hilton, it should be fantastic! Location is very good for Old Town and you can walk or tram it to the Castle area. Grocery store about one block away for stocking up the hotel room. Bus station only a few blocks away if you want to go to Terezin (also recommended!)

Vienna Hilton on Schottenring - haven't stayed there but it looks to be the best situated for visiting the Alstadt (Old Town).

joannyc

Budapest - didn't stay in a Hilton here either. But, between the two I agree with Delaine. Stay in Buda, the Castle district. You can walk to Pest. I stayed on the Pest side which was fine too but I was on the Danube which the other Hilton is not. Do vist the Great Market Hall for souveniers... buy some paprika and those cute muffin holders!

annhig

hi cmlyons,

We didn't stay there, but when we went to Budapest, they had had a great offer on, and when I saw where it was, i was really kicking myself for not going for it.

can't talk about the other two; IMHO in Vienna it really doesn't matter where on, or inside the ring you stay because the public transport is so great.

regards, ann

cmlyons

Thanks so much! All comments are a huge help!

carolandbob

I have stayed in both the Vienna Hilton near Stadpark and the Prague Hilton on the Danube toward the outskirts of town. Both were beautiful American type hotels with double bedded rooms, restaurants, bars even a casino in Prague. But if you are looking for convenience for sightseeing near the Old Towns of either city, they do not serve the purpose. Both are a long walk from where you want to be, in fact in Prague, we frequently had to take taxis, especially at night. On a return trip to Vienna this year, I opted for a smaller and older hotel right near St. Stephansdom and preferred it.

kfusto

The Hilton Old Town in Prague is actually very convenient, it is the other Hilton Prague that is not.

Dukey

I've stayed in the Hilton in Budapest which overlooks the river...we had a fantastic view and we had some great beautifully-served meals in that hotel as well.

I know it isn't everyone's favorite place to stay and for the litany of reasons about no charm, it isn't really "Hungarian" etc., etc., etc.

We loved it and we would stay in it again.

Cathinjoetown

I've stayed at the Hilton in Buda twice--once on holiday and once on business. To me, it didn't have the feel of a huge chain hotel at all. The rooms with river/Pest views are excellent. Agree with Delaine, great location.

In Vienna, stayed at the Hilton Vienna Plaza on the ring--I thought it was an easy walk into the old town and very easy to pick up the trams. While the rooms were pretty much standard chain, I thought they made an effort with the facade and lobby to "fit" Vienna. Would recommend both hotels.

butch

We stayed at the West End Hilton in Budapest. It is not in center city but . . . it is so close to the train statin that it didn't matter. We would stay there again.

cmlyons

Thanks all! This is a big help!

Ian

We stayed at both the Vienna Plaza & the Buda Hiltons on HH points. Both were superlative hotels. Good breakfasts. Stunning views from our Buda room.

see http://members.rennlist.com/imcarthur/hungary.htm

Ian