Vienna/Budapest/Krakow in Sept - Where to sleep?
 

Hello Everyone,
I am planning a trip for early Sept 2012 with my wife and mother. My mother has never left the country and just got her passport today. She is 65 but in good health with a bit of emphysema...so super active sports, or carrying heavy backpacks, are out.

So...this trip we are planning to hit Budapest (5 days), Vienna (5 days), and Krakow (5 days).

Any suggestions on accomodations would be much appreciated! My wife and I will typically find something one step up from a hostel on the fringe of the centrum so we can walk to the sites/restaurants/bars/etc. Something high-value, low cost. I have heard that apartment rentals are a good idea...but havent ever looked into that. All my mom REALLY cares about is a private bathroom for the 3 of us. Having a single room with 2 decent sized beds is okay. Having a 2-bedroom apartement in the heart of the action would be awesome, but normally out of our price range.

Thanks everyone!
Sully

Here's a link to a thread on Budapest apartment. Two people recommended the same apartment. The owner is a NYC resident and is very responsive to email questions.

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...t-169230-2.cfm

What is your price range? Did you find the Krakow apartment I mentioned on your other thread? E80 per night, right near the market square. Is this more than you want to spend for 2 rooms? I don't think you will find anything for less unless you go away from the city center.

In Telc I stayed right on the square in a pension for $25 per night with wifi and large breakfast. The bedroom was small bu the bathroom was amazing - brand new tile, huge, lots of hanging and storage space.

Great info for apartments in Budapest and Krakow....thanks so much Adrienne. I hadnt really set a max, I normally look for my mandatory things first like:
- Must have 2 beds (dont want my mom on a sofa bed)
- Must have private bathroom
- Must be located near the action, but not necessarily in the action (or near a metro/rail car)
- I could get two smaller rooms (like your suggestion in Telc). My mom is okay with her own room too. (-;

I then sort my findings by REVIEWERS RATINGS to pick the best one at the cheapest price.

I suppose if I had to put a price on it, I would say...no more than $150 per night.

Is that $150 per room or for the 2 rooms?

I don't have the name of the people I stayed with but I booked through the TI (located on the square - look for the flag indicating a government building). They do not charge for booking. They have a book with pensions/hotels and their prices and you can choose. They then call for you to see if there is a vacancy. My place was right above the pizzaria (entrance on the side) and the people lived there and rented out 2 rooms (I think). But there were lots of places in the book they showed me and as you're going off season it would be no problem to just show up and get a room as long as you are there before the TI closes.

This is the hotel on the square. I ate here both nights and I think Kwoo stayed here.

http://www.telchotels.cz/cerny-orel_e.php?site=telc

Have you considered a rental apartment? We just returned from a week in Krakow and enjoyed a lovely two-bedroom apartment that was a 5 minute walk from Krakow's market square for ~$100 USD per night. Here is the link to the apartment: http://www.vrbo.com/124623

four - this is the apartment I reference on another of sully's threads.

Very nice place....but not available for my dates. )-;

I'm looking at being in Krakow for 6 nights now from ~24-30 Sept.

Our trip has once again changed based on flight prices. We are now firm on our dates, as I have purchased the tickets.

Budapest: Arrive 7th depart 12th (5 nights)
Levoca: Arrive 12th depart 14th (2 nights)
Krakow: Arrive 14th depart 20th (6 nights)
Telc: Arrive 20th depart 21st (1 night)
Vienna: Arrive 21st depart 26th (5 nights)
Budapest: Arrive 26th depart 27th (1 night)
Istanbul: Arrive 27th depart 28th (1 night)

In Vienna I stayed at the Pension Pertschy, recommended by several people here. It's inexpensive and right in the center. Couldn't easily see their direct site, but here's some info:

http://www.booking.com/hotel/at/pert...FQrf4AodW3oF0w

We stayed at Hotel Celerin in Telc in August 2009 & were very happy with it. It is right on the square, good size room for 4 people & included breakfast was very good. Staff were very nice. I definitely recommend it.

In Krakow we stayed at Hotel Saski, 1/2 block from Rynek Glowney. Delicious hot breakfast was included. Price was reasonable in 2003.

If you are going to Budapest you might find some of this helpful http://budapestflat.shutterfly.com/fivedaysinbudapest

Kwoo, we meet again! We are attempting to plan a trip with our 23 yo daughter to Prague, Krakow and Budapest. Do you have any suggestions and/or a trip report, since we have similar tastes in travel?

I have stayed at the PandaHostel in Krakow and really liked it. The location is good, in the Jewish district, lots of funky, artsy cafes/bars surrounding it.

The breakfast was especially good and the staff was very helpful.
http://www.pandahostel.pl/panda/wordpress/

I see that Cracowdays offers a triple room. You might inquire about it--we did not see the triple when we were there a few years ago so I do not know the configuration.

It's in an older building a few blocks from the main square--impeccably clean, with a helpful staff, spacious, comfortable, smart-looking guest rooms, each with its own bathroom. And the price seems right.

http://cracowdays.com/index.php

kmbp - i hope that the OP has booked by now - the trip is in September.

cyber-sully - care to tell us where you booked in each place?

We stayed in K&K Hotel Opera in Budapest - clean, comfortable, excellent breakfast. Good location thisclose to the Opera House and around the corner from Andrassy utca.

In Krakow, Hotel Wentzl is modern and nice and overlooks Rynek Glowny with an unbeatable location. BUT it's a walkup - no elevator.

annhig--I hope so too! Maybe my suggestion will help future travelers who do some research here.

Hi Cyber_Sully. I am doing this trip in Oct. Budapest, Krakow, Vienna (stops to day trips in Zakopane, Bratislava). What was your end route? I am thinking 4-5 nights in each city. Do you feel this was enough time? What are your suggestions based on your travel for transport, accommodations, sights? Your feedback would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance.

We liked this place in Budapest: http://www.bellevuebudapest.com/inde...en&faz=1&aaz=0

You might want to check the place we used in Krakow; click on my name to find the trip report.