Eastern Europe Guidebook
Best and worst accommodations:
Best: Boutique B&B
Why: The location was central, amazing breakfast and very accomodating staff. They helped us with what we needed to do Warsaw.
Helen Kluck in Gloucester, MA USA 10/10/2011
Best: Hotel Krolewski in Gdansk
Why: Excellent location, very cool building (old granary) and overall great ambiance.
Judy Sepik in Forestville, CA USA 10/01/2011
Best: Mayer penzion & Berc penzion
Why: Alpine architecture, homely , clean , countrystyle decor
Tay Siew Hua in Singapore, Singapore 09/09/2011
Best: Duval Apts., Warsaw, Poland
Why: In July 2011 our group of 7 stayed 2 nights at Duval Apts. We had the Polish, Glass, and Retro rooms. I can't say enough good things about Duval. The location couldn't be beat as it is just a few steps off the old town square. The rooms are big, beautiful and very comfortable with a kitchen corner and refrig. Rooms had wi-fi and even a fan which was nice. Bathrooms are very nice too. Just the small touch of leaving a big bottle of water in each room was very much appreciated. We had a very nice breakfast served by Martin, who was very kind, and even offered me hot tea with honey as I was coming down with a cold on the day we were leaving. Agnieszka was very prompt in answering my emails and even let us stay past check out time as we didn't need to leave for airport until early afternoon. We enjoyed Warsaw and would stay here again on a return visit. Highly recommended!!
Janet in Maple Grove, MN USA 09/07/2011
Best: Guest House Halvet; Sarajevo
Why: We ventured into Sarajevo + recommend it. Stayed at the Guest House Halvet, which was run by great English-speaking couple (halvet@bih.net.ba; Kasima Efendije Do race do 5, 71000, Sarajevo; tel +387 33 237 714, GSM +387 61 130 093; Db-68 Euros (or use KM--Sarajevo businesses will not take Kunas; 5 rooms; 3 parking spaces; Wi-Fi). A bit hard to find but just a couple of blocks from Old Town.
Larry in Iversen, WA USA 06/18/2011
Best: Dragan's Den hostel, Korcula, Croatia
Why: Your book need hostel contacts.
Dragan in Korcula, Croatia 02/09/2011
Best: All
Why: We have traveled to Scandinavia and Eastern Europe with Rick's books and have always liked the people who are renting rooms - They are intelligent, friendly and helpful.
Judy Kropp in Oakdale, CA USA 12/04/2010
Best: Gotyk House in Gdansk, Poland
Why: Excellent! Excellent location, great value, wonderful English speaking staff who were all helpful and willing to go the extra mile with a smile.
Richard Penn in Rusk, Tx USA 11/02/2010
Best: Gerlocy
Why: wonderful food and people working there. Great location, attractive facility. Also, it was very quiet, contrary to your book's advice. However, the bed was a problem and I e-mailed to let them know. It was lumpy on my side and very low to the ground. Plus, we both tripped on the wood corners (covered by the bedspread) and my husband actually hurt his finger by breaking his fall.
Worst: Pension Aviano in Vienna
Why: see above
Debbie Dalin in Delray Beach, FL USA 10/24/2010
Best: K&K in Budapest
Why: This hotel was well located, had a very nice breakfast (included). It seemed very new and modern, and the rooms were extremely quiet. Good restaurants were nearby and the Opera subway stop was a block away. I booked on their web site and got a very inexpensive weekend rate, so it was cheaper than many other recommended hotels. In Vienna I stay at the Hotel City Central, which had a good location, good service, and a nice breakfast. It was not in Rick's book, but I found it on Trip Advisor.
James S Perschbacher in Mableton, GA USA 10/10/2010
Best: Krakow City Apts
Why: Close to all sites, lovely accomodations.
Liz Bowermaster in Urbana, Il USA 09/18/2010
Best: Maria and Istvan, Budapest
Why: Exactly as described in guidebook - chatty couple but very helpful, old-world apartment, etc. Son and I only ones staying so little issue with bathroom/shower which would normally be shared with another room. Loved the location with metro nearby, and trams across the street. Istvan even surprised us by meeting us at the metro station nearest their place (would have wandered otherwise trying to find their apartment).
Brian in Böblingen, Germany 09/08/2010
Best:
Why: Not sure if they were recommended but everywhere we stayed was great! Krakow- Globus Rooms & Apartments Budapest- Peregrinus ELTE (3rd floor has hotel, has elevator, we got a stellar rate directly through the hotel) Vienna-Clima CityHotel (clean, decent location; however they charged us twice-- once when we paid while we were there and AGAIN after we had checked out. I had to dispute it on my credit card because it took them 2 weeks to fix anything after I e-mailed about it, and the euro/dollar value was different than when they charged me so it's a mess) Prague- Modra Ruze (fabulous location! However they tried to charge us more on check-out; so maybe suggest patrons pay the night before they are leaving if leaving early? We would have mised our rain dealing with them that morning!) Berlin- Berlin Mark Hotel (not very friendly people, tried to overcharge us)
Carrie in St. Paul, MN United States 08/31/2010
Best: Eger--Senator Haz Hotel
Why: Well, I can't say that it's the best, because it's the only one in Eger that I stayed in, but I completely agree with your assessment of it. It was absolutely charming!
Denise Egri in Corvallis, OR USA 07/13/2010
Best: Casa Lorca, Sighet Marmatzi
Why: Great and friendly hotel and the restaurant with folk dance and music was superb! Absolutely loved it and wished we had stayed two or three nights instead of one.
Amy M. in Boulder, CO USA 07/07/2010
Best: Globtrotter Guest House
Why: Our room was on the first floor, with a great view of the garden courtyard. We loved the layout and location of the guest house. The front desk staff were helpful with suggestions for meals and city sights, and helped us with a load of laundry (reasonably priced).
Anna in Tacoma, WA USA 06/22/2010
Best: EasyHotel - Budapest, Old Prague Hostel
Why: Great, affordable accomodations suitable for mature adults.
Chris in Minneapolis, MN USA 06/10/2010
Best: Duval Apartments
Why: Very attentive owner and support staff. They were very helpful when I came down with a stomach virus.
I wish they had an elevator, though. Hauling all that luggage up and down those narrow stairs almost killed me (my wife is not the best travel packer in the world).
Luis Vazquez in Houston, TX USA 05/23/2010
Best: Duvel Apartments in Warsaw and Globtrotter Guest House in Krakow
Why: Highly recommended in Rick's book and both had great reviews on Trip Advisor. Good locations, helpful people, nice rooms and bathrooms. Ate breakfast at the Duval, and that was good. The Globtrotter arrange a tour to Auschwitz/Birkenau in their van. Both were tops in every way!
Judy in Alexandria, MN USA 05/19/2010
Best: Peregrinus
Why: The hotel is a bit weathered, but it was centrally located and the price was reasonable (Ft 16,250 [$83.75] per night w/ en suite bathroom and breakfast), though 1/3 more than a Polish guest on his own was being charged. The staff were wonderfully attentive as well. My wife injured her foot and had to be seen in the Keleti Hospital ER. They arranged Emergency Service transport, translated for the friendly but monolingual EMTs, and were solicitous about her injury throughout our stay (BTW, transport, x-rays, and medical care cost a total of Ft 9,500 - $49; let's hear it for the public option at home. This amount will probably be reimbursed, since we've submitted a claim to Chartis insurance, the accident insurance underwriter of the Budapest Card, which we purchased during our stay).
Jack in Brondum, MN USA 03/29/2010
Best: B&B Bellevue Budapest
Why: Having read several reviews on here, I booked my stay with the Bellevue. I agree wholeheartedly that this is a winner. Judit and her husband took great care to make sure I knew where I was going, how to get there, and make me feel at home. Very large, clean rooms and convenient location. I would absolutely stay here again.
B Vermillion in Portland, OR USA 10/22/2009
Best: Hotel Anna, Prague
Why: It is located just blocks from the Metro as well as the tourist central tram. Not only is the location great, but the hotel was clean, nice, and the staff was top notch.
B Vermillion in Portland, OR USA 10/12/2009
Best: Hotel Gerloczy (budapest)
Why: Beautiful rooms, great value, excellent locations for getting around the city, and the restaurant is very good as well. This is the place to stay while in Budapest!
Worst: K & T boardinghouse (vienna)
Why: Reservations messed up, unapologetic staff, and worst yet, we were almost kicked out because we told the owner (Tina) that we were not happy about the mistakes. After multiple trips to Europe using RS books, this was the first place that we thought really didn't measure up. Don't know if there has been other negative feedback, but if so, I hope that this place would not be included in future printings because nobody should have to deal with what we encountered.
J. Briggs in Seattle, WA USA 10/10/2009
Best: Gerloczy Cafe & Rooms in Budapest
Why: We had a gorgeous, large corner room. The downside was the it was on the 3rd (our 4th) floor and with the high ceilings in the building and no lift it was quite a hike. They plan to reinstall a lift in a few month, but in the meantime one could ask for a room on a lower floor when booking. The restaurant was good, also.
Ash Morris in Tulsa, OK USA 10/03/2009
Best: Europejski
Why: beautiful hotel with excellent breakfast included. Pleasant bar for drinks.Wonderful garden cafe for an afternoon snack.24 hour desk and free internet in lobby.
susan ford in senoia, GA USA 10/02/2009
Best: Hotel Anna
Why: Great neighborhood hotel in a good location. It was very clean, had a nice breakfast, and was located close to a tram stop and also a Metro stop. The neighborhood had many little bars and restaurants which we really liked!
L.A. Meharry in Vancouver, WA USA 09/21/2009
Best: Hotel Victoria in Budapest & Globtroter in Krakow
Why: The Hotel Victoria has airconditioning & a great view of the river & the Pest side. It has an elevator. Modern. Great location-just down the street from the subway stop. The Globtroter does not have airconditioning but is in a great location, just a few blocks from the old town square. The staff is great. We paid a staff member to drive our family of four to Auschwitz & it was worth every cent. We learned so much from him regarding Poland & its people. They love Americans in Krakow. hidden in a nice quiet courtyard. The Dahlia Inn in Prague is not listed in Rick's guide but is a great place to stay. It is modern but does not have airconditioning. The owner is installing an elevator. It is not in the old town but is close to a subway stop & the tourist tram stop listed in Rick's book.
Scot Dailey in Arlington, Tx USA 08/15/2009
Best: Globtroter Guest House in Krakow
Why: The Globtroter is a superb example of what a guest house can be! The facility is bright, spotlessly clean and charming. The rooms were large and comfortable. It's almost like a secret country hideaway a block away from the very heart of Cracow. But it is the people who make this the true gem that it is. Peter and his crew are the most pleasant and accomodating folks you would ever wish to meet travelling far from home. Quick with a suggestion, brillaintly fluent in english and helpful in the extreme, they make this the place to stay when visiting Cracow, bar none.
Francesca in Lompoc, CA USA 08/13/2009
Best: Kracow City Apartments
Why: We arrived two days early and they got us one of their apartments. Well appointed, nice location, reasonable.
Don Waddell in Walnut Creek, CA USA 07/25/2009
Best: Hotel Julian, Prague
Why: Friendly staff, nice breakfast, comfortable room. Within walking distance of Prague Castle, Wenceslas Square, Old Town and the Jewish Quarter. Free access to internet.
Koterba in Lewistown, MT USA 07/17/2009
Best: Hotel Pugetow, Krakow
Why: Small hotel, close to town square. Staff was very accomodating, room was superb, breakfasts wonderful.
Koterba in Lewistown, MT USA 07/17/2009
Best: Hotel Gerloczy, Budapest
Why: Friendly staff, nice room, excellent breakfasts. Close to downtown Pest, just great!
Koterba in Lewistown, MT USA 07/17/2009
Best: sobes
Why: The best advice we got from the book was to stay in a Sobe when possible (Croatia, Bosnia & Herzegovina). We found it to be a really interesting experience, and much cheaper!
Amy Tedoff in Colts Neck, NJ USA 07/12/2009
Best: Hotel Emonec - Page 558
Why: In addition to free WiFi, when we told them we would be leaving on the 2 a.m. overnight train to Budapest they offered to make us sack lunches - an offer we took them up on. We had great sandwiches the next day on the train thanks to them.
Jack Martin in Lawrence, KS USA 06/28/2009
Best: Gotyk house, Gdansk
Why: the staff was very friendly and helpful. the breakfast was very tasty. The place was immaculate and the location was very central. The staff made you feel like you were the most important to them. It is truly a hidden gem in gdansk
Worst: oki doki in warsaw
Why: the staff was not on top of things and it felt like they really didn't care about things. The bathrooms were filty, showers and shower doors in need of repair, toilets stunk and dirty. It felt like the place was not cared for. The location was good.
Kerry Gaultois in Nanaimo , BC Canada 05/24/2009
Best: B&B Bellevue in Budapest, Hungary
Why: Owners Judit and Lajos Szuhay were wonderfully warm and gracious hosts. The spent lots of time giving us, and all their guest, transportation tips, information about cultural events (opera, ballet, etc.) dinning tips, and most importantly they would provide maps marking their directions on requested sites making sure we understood them. This couple had a genuine interest in us as people and then as their guest.
Lorraine Chatham in San Francisco, CA USA 01/08/2009