We are planning a trip to these 3 cities in May or June, 2006.

We are planning to take the train from Budapest to Vienna and then to Prague. Is this the right sequence? Planning for 4 days Prague, 4 days Budapest, 3 days in Vienna.

As far as hotels go, would go for pricey hotels in the right areas. Thinking of the Konig Von Argun in Vienna, the Intercontinental Praha in Prague and the Marriott in Budapest. Any comments on these choices?

Thanks for your comments and recs.

I did a very similar route 2 years ago. Flew into Budapest(for 2 days), train to Vienna (for 3 days) and train to Prague (for 5 days).

In Budapest, we stayed at the Marriott. The hotel was a bit older but our room had a nice balcony with a view of the Danube (ask for that!). The location was central for sightseeing. We walked everywhere. Everyone was extremely helpful from what I can remember.

In Vienna, we stayed at the Hilton. While the hotel is not fully in the middle of things, it is fine given how walkable Vienna is. Because we booked through the hotel directly, they upgraded us to a junior suite. However, remember, this is much of a business hotel then a personable B&B.

In Prague, we decided to forego the big hotels and stay at a local place- The hotel at the red lion, which I recommend. We had a suite (we only asked for a double) - the place was very clean, quiet, and convenient to the castle and Charles bridge.

We love the Konig von Ungarn in Vienna. So do lots of others on this site. Do a search on it and I think you'll find nothing but raves. Right in the middle of things about a block from St. Stephen's.

We stayed at the Astoria in Budapest and found it rather worn. But I would try to stay in the Pest area rather than up on Castle Hill even if the Hilton is nice and supposedly fits in well with the architecture. It's just too far from the main action. See if the Kempinski has any deals. They did when we went and I kicked myself that we didn't take them up on one. Place looks much nicer than Astoria.

We stayed at the Hoffmeister in Prague. It's a Relais and Chateau hotel--the only one in the Czech Republic. Nice and had lovely buffet breakfasts but it's a bit far to walk into the main part of town (in Mala Strana, across the bridge up the river from Charles Bridge.) I'd try to find something in Old Town if you can, or at least closer to old town in Mala Strana. This should be a wonderful trip. Be sure to eat at the Nordsee on Kartnerstrasse in Vienna. World's best fast food.

additional budapest suggestions:
sofitel, kempinski, and the marriot ex. millenium apartments.

bus 16(?)up to castle hill leaves from in front of the sofitel which is the backside of the kenmpinski if my memory is not failing me.

bestofbudapest.hu /.com and www.pesticide.com are good websites.

a 5 min. walk from the marriot apts also.
great location all of them.

i think i got those websites wrong. sorry.
if i find the right addresses, i will post them.