We will be driving from Prague to Vienna in late May and I have booked 2 nights hotel in Cesky Krumlov and would like to stay 2 nights northwest of Vienna. Can anyone recommend a central town and a hotel or B&B. <BR>The town I have been looking at is Durnstein. I this a good central location? <BR>Thanks <BR>Aileen <BR> <BR>

One more try

Can't really give first hand advice because we'll be doing the same thing a few weeks earlier than you. But I've done lots of research ( as I'm sure you have) and everything I read and all the pictures seem to confirm that Durnstein is a good locale to head for. That's what we're planning to do--let's hope we're both right!!!

Aileen, Duernstein is not very far from Vienna, but it's a lovely village (bit of a museum piece, actually.) We stayed years ago at the Hotel Richard Loewenherz, a lovely converted convent on the bank of the Danube - wonderful wine terrace, pool, all very first class. Expensive but worth it.

Maggie and John - thanks for the information. <BR>Maggie have you choosen a place to stay? <BR> <BR>Aileen <BR>

Hi Aileen, <BR>Since we will only be there for one night we are considering the Schloss Durnstein which looks lovely and would be a definite splurge. But I was happy to see John's message about the Richard Lowenherz because I was also considering that and may now investigate it a little more to see if I can get their rates. There is another place I've read about ( I think in Karen Brown--I'm at work and my books are at home) that has the word Blondl (or something like that) in it's name which also sounded interesting. Bottom line--no final decision yet. How about you?

I toured the area last fall & in fact stayed at the Richard Lowenherz (it's a Romantik Hotel) in Durnstein.. The rooms are large & they have a terrace restaurant overlooking the Danube. I looked in the Schloss Durnstein hotel & it was rather upscale & a bit too pricy for me. If I were to go again, I'd stay at the Sanger Blondel, which is the least costly of the 3, but has a great location (right beside the Richard Lowenherz) and a wonderful restaurant. The Lowenherz's terrace restaurant is actually behind the Blondel & anyone, of course can eat there. The main drag of Durnstein isn't more than about 4 blocks long, and the town has its own ferry stop for rides down the Danube to Krems & Stein, or up the river to Melk. The Melk Abbey was the highlight of our trip...not to be missed. fyi...the main street of Durnstein is actually a pedestrian zone, but if you're driving to your hotel it's okay to use.

Thank you for the information. I have requests for reservations in with both the Hotel Richard Loewenherz and Sanger Blondel. If the Blondel has availability I think we will stay there because it is less expensive. <BR>Mark - thanks for the infor on the ferry. I can not wait to go to Melk. <BR>Aileen

Mark, <BR>Thanks from me, too. I think I may try the Richard Loewenherz--a balcony overlooking the Danube sounds pretty okay. Do you know if they have a website? <BR> <BR>Aileen, <BR>Too bad we won't be there at the same time---we could meet for a drink and toast Fodors for being such a great palce to exchange info. <BR>Maggie

Maggie, <BR> <BR>The web site for Hotel Richard L. is http://www.richardloewenherz.at/index-e.htm <BR>