Eastern Europe

Best and worst accommodations:

Best: Globtroter . Location, Location, Location
Why: One block from the main square.

Worst: nothing.
Why: THis place was cheap. The staff is top notch. The rooms fabulous. Couldn't say enough.

Sunny Prosser in Heidelberg, Germany 11/14/2009

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

Best: Hotel Victoria, Budapest
Why: Great view for a great price. Wonderful breakfast. The location is a bit inconvenient to most sights on Pest (the hotel is below the Castle Hill on the Buda side), but if you're out all day, it's no big deal.

Worst: Pension Neuer Markt, Vienna
Why: Great location, but the hotel is shabby-looking inside. Overpriced. I guess you pay for the central location: a block away from the Stephansdom.

er in Seattle, WA USA 12/02/2008

Best: Bellevue B&B in Budapest
Why: Rick is exactly right when he described this B&B as a hidden jewel. The location is very good and the owners are wonderful people. Our large room had two sets of French doors open to a small balconey. Our view was a wooded area just below St Matthias church and the fall foliage was really nice. This B&B is priced quite low and we would definitely stay there again.

Susan Jennings in Atlanta, Ga USA 11/23/2008

Best: Hotel Pension Suzanne, Vienna
Why: Great location, just around the corner from the Opera! Nice breakfast. Many restaurant options nearby.

Tamara in Ardmore, OK USA 11/15/2008

Best: Hotel U Zlute boty, Prague
Why: Very clean, quaint, convenient and helpful staff.

Tamara in Ardmore, OK USA 11/15/2008

Best: Hotel Maltanski, Krakow
Why: The hotel was lovely with many amenities and an excellent location. Definitely the nicest place I stayed in Eastern Europe. I plan to be a repeat customer.

Tamara in Ardmore, OK USA 11/15/2008

Best: Hotel Victoria, Budapest
Why: Just back from a stay at Hotel Victoria, literally ON the Danube. What views for a very reasonable price! Accommodated our early check-in request. Terrific breakfast. Lovely, immaculate, spacious room with gracious staff.

Cindy in Beavercreek, Oh USA 11/12/2008

Best: Hotel Corvinus, Budapest
Why: Very clean, comfortable and priced right. When our flight was canceled, staff was very helpful in finding room for us for an additional night, as well as helping as rebook taxi, etc.

Jennifer in Portland, OR USA 09/29/2008

Best: Castle View Apartments in Krumlov
Why: Very quiet location, excellent restaurant just outside the front door, non-intrusive host, gave a Rick Steves discount

Judy Mondy in Odessa, TX USA 09/26/2008

Best: Kapital Inn, Budapest
Why: Kapital Inn Budapest, Hungary

We (my wife, our daughter and I) recently stayed at the Kapital Inn in Budapest and had fantastic accommodations. Albert really takes care of his guests – from spotlessly clean rooms, bathrooms, kitchen and the wonderful outdoor veranda to excellent breakfasts and clear cut assistance on ‘things to do in Budapest’. Albert was very helpful in walking us through the steps at the Szecheny Baths, this turned out to be a wonderful experience, one that we highly recommend to others.

We try to mix our trip accommodations with apartments such as this one to B & B’s or at least smaller hotels. We are rarely disappointed; in this case the Kapital Inn exceeded our expectations. We highly recommend this place. The location was wonderful as well, even though we do a lot of walking, we also used the metro that goes in both directions on Andrassy – only one block away.

Stay here while visiting Budapest and you will love it.

Al and Mary

Al Hermansen in Delano, MN USA 09/19/2008

Best: Maria & Istvan
Why: Couldn't have stayed in a cuter place with nicer people. The price was great too.

Tracy in Austin, Te USA 09/15/2008

Best: Lida Guest House
Why: Jan and his wife Jitka were gracious host. Jan provided me with all the inside information I required to find the significant architectural landmarks in Prague. Moreover, he was able to sell transit tickets without the need to use a machine at a major transit stop. He also provided the most efficient transit routes using subway or tram to tour around Prague. The facility was excellent, including the wonderful shower. I would highly recommend his B&B for any one visiting Prague. The location is only a five minute walk to the subway or tran stop and then you're little over 7 minutes to the Muzeum stop and Wenceslas Square.

Ken in Reston, VA USA 09/14/2008

Best: Pension Suzanne, Vienna
Why: Location is ideal, near to many great sites to visit; room clean but small; bath very nice; excellent breakfast. Service is very good, timely, well organized. restaurants nearby quite good.

Cathy Minicucci in Carmichael, Ca USA 09/10/2008

Worst: Kalvin House
Why: Rooms had layer of dust. Housekeeper did not clean floors. They offered to call me a taxi to train station for 25000 HUF. I called myself and the cost was 1200 HUF.

Kim Smith in Chicago, IL USA 09/03/2008

Best: Hotel Maltanski, Krakow
Why: Very quaint hotel with very nice rooms and breakfast buffet. Excellent location, just across the street from the Planty Park on the east side of the old town, convenient to both the Town Square and Kazmierz.

David Murray in Avon, IN USA 08/23/2008

Best: Hotel Pension Corvinus Vienna
Why: Comfortable, spacious room, good breakfast buffet, good location, free Internet access, and very accomdating staff. Early morning trip to airport, bags carried, for 39 Euros. 99 Euros per night earlier this month. (July '08)

Jim Martin in Ashland, OR USA 07/26/2008

Best: Nathans Villa in Krakow
Why: The size and common rooms made it excellent for solo travelers to mneet people. They also have free pool and a movie lounge with a deposit or passport. There bar was great and they didnt kick us out until 5 AM! Loved it

Tyler Hazen in ferndale, wa USA 07/22/2008

Best: Hotel Satel, Levoca, Slovakia
Why: Delightful room and accomodating staff. Paid 82 euros for a double room right on the main square. Eastern European Presidents met here.

Christine in Devon, PA USA 07/12/2008

Best: Hotel Grodek in Kracow
Why: Small, beautifully run, quiet boutique hotel that is in a peaceful part of town. The hotel has a display of archeological ruins that adds to its charm.

Margie Satinsky in Durham, NC USA 07/05/2008

Best: Hotel Astra in Budapest
Why: Friendly staff helped me with booking over emails. The hotel itself is wonderful; spacious, comfortable rooms with A/C (a big help in the heat wave of the end of June), a great location in the Buda side. One of the three staff we met was very nice but...

Worst: Hotel Astra in Budapest
Why: ... two out of the three staff we met were, well, not so nice and kind of inept. The middle aged fellow who checked us in was about as cold as they come. He was not happy to have us there from the get go. Several stories could be told to illustrate that but I'd be whining. Unfortunately, coupled with his cold manner was a bit of misinformation I had to fix myself. He told me that there were no folk music shows at the nearby venue. I was sceptical and went myself to see. Good thing, as there certainly were. Annoying but good thing I didn't rely on him. But the crazy thing was at checkout. The Hotel Astra insists on being paid in cash. OK, fair enough. What they don't tell you is that they will run each bill under a light to verify that they are not counterfit. Once again, OK, fair enough, I guess they had a bad experience. But then the guy checking us out starts to wig out, saying that "there is a hole in one of the bills". I ask to see it, and good night, it must have been a nick in the edge about 1/2 a millimeter. He ought to see the dollar bills I see everyday back home, with phone numbers, beards drawn on Washington's face, etc., he'd have a stroke at that. Anyway, he reluctantly accepts it when my wife points out that we got the bill out of an ATM 100 meters from the hotel & he ought to take it up with them. We also had tried to give him a not completely used phone card as a gift to use himself or pass on to another guest and you'd have thought we sprayed it with Sarin or something. Anyway, the whole thing was very bushleague. I guess I would say you could still stay at Hotel Astra but don't look for lots of warmth from from them and get your money directly from a teller at a bank and ask for the most prestine bills they hav or you could have trouble paying at checkout.

Shonn in HdG, MD USA 06/28/2008

Best: Starlight Suites
Why: While in Budapest we stayed at the Starlight Suites. The rooms are decorated in what I would call a funky retro '70's modern style. They are clean and comfortable. The suites are large with two comfortable rooms one of which includes a wet bar, sofa, desk, and fireplace. The bathroom is nice and large. A very limited continental breakfast is included in the room rate. The friendly staff is very helpful as in re-arranging cars in their very limited parking lot so that we could park our rental there over night when we could not find parking space on the street. The best part is that the hotel is directly behind the Four Seasons hotel (and at a fraction of the price). This location is only a couple of blocks from the Danube river front. When walking to the Four Seasons, you will see the Sofitel Hotel just a block away. I would recommend the hotel. Phone: +36 (1) 484 37 00 Homepage: www:starlighthotels.com Address: H-1051 Budapest . Merleg utca 6

Mary Ann Christensen in Walkerton, IN USA 06/26/2008

Best: The Gerloczy, Budapest
Why: You have to get yourself to Budapest and stay at the Gerloczy before these people come to their senses and double the prices! The place is upscale, from the high-ceiling rooms to the cafe downstairs. We paid 90 euro per night, which included breakfast and upscale hotel service. As an added bonus, you're in the center of everything in Pest.

Tim in Bay City, TX USA 06/15/2008

Best: Guest House Lida in Prague
Why: Personal welcome and orientation to transportation and sights in the city; friendly owners, great view from attic apartment.

Gail in Albany, OR USA 01/27/2008

Best: Krakow - Hotel Maltanski
Why: Having arrived by train at 5 AM, we were very tired since, even with a sleeper, one gets little sleep on these trains, so we were delighted when the hotel had someone there to meet us and had our rooms ready for us to snuggle in for a few hours of sleep. What a godsend. The rooms were beautiful and well-equipped. The breakfast buffet was marvelous. The staff was extremely accomodating and helpful - even set up a laptop for us to use to get our email. They did honor the Rick Steves discount. And the location was perfect - so close to the square and Kazimierz.

Sondra in Portland, OR USA 11/06/2007

Best: Cracowdays Apartments, Krakow
Why: We have found the best way to truly enjoy European culture is to stay in locally owned B&B's or apartments. Cracowdays is a wonderful apartment that is roomy, clean, has a PC with internet connection, and a nice kitchen to make your own breakfast. Both the owners and the manager are wonderful to work with, very helpful, friendly and provided suggestions on a number of great places to eat. We had a fantastic experience and gladly recommend Cracowdays Apartments to everyone. www.cracowdays.com Al and Mary Hermansen

Allan Hermansen in Delano, MN USA 10/25/2007

Worst: Mama's Hostel in Krakow
Why: this was the absolute WORST hostel that i've ever stayed in. it was bad enough that i moved out after one night to the momotown hostel instead. mama's hostel had stinky bathrooms, the doors to the dorms could not be closed so the noise outside woke me up several times during the night, and the receptionist was not helpful in asking the drunk people to be quiet. another girl and i both got up in the middle of the night to yell at the people to be quiet (it was 4am). the receptionist just sat there ignoring all the noise. it was cheap, but momotown's hostel was only 3 euros more expensive each night and their hostel was infinitely times better.

Carolyn in New York, NY USA 10/24/2007

Best: Pension Nossek in Vienna
Why: Stayed for one night in October. 115 Euros per night for double. Great value. Great central location. 5 minutes from Stephansplatz. Large comfortable room. Good included breakfast.

Ian in Fullerton, CA USA 10/18/2007

Best: Hotel Victoria in Budapest
Why: Stayed in this hotel for two nights in October (room 63). Five minutes north of chain bridge. Ten minutes south of metro station. Unobstructed view of Danube and Pest side. Large modern room, great view, good breakfast. 123 Euros per night. Great value if all you are looking for is a room to come back to after sightseeing. No resort amenities.

Ian in bow, CA USA 10/18/2007

Best: Hotel Globtrotter in Krakow
Why: The staff makes a real effort to be friendly and helpful. The Globtrotter does not offer "breakfast." The absence of the normal European breakfast buffet featuring weak coffee, canned fruits and juices, cold cuts and poor quality breads has to be considered a plus. We picked up stuff we liked at the market or ate at a nearby restaurant and enjoyed our meals. We had a fairly large ground floor room in their quiet courtyard setting. The bath featured a good-sized stall shower with a fixed shower head that you can enjoy hands free -- not a tiny little box that you can't even turn around in without hitting against the faucet controls and scalding yourself. The inclusion of a hot pot and instant coffee and tea bags was another thoughtful feature. All this for a reasonable price and a location that is two blocks from the very center of town.

Worst: Hotel Kalvin Haz in Budapest
Why: We picked this hotel for it's convenient location near the Market House. Breakfast featured cardboard quality cereal and bread, the usual cold cuts, a bowl of apples, and the worst coffee we've ever experienced, which was served almost cold. My wife tried to use their microwave the heat her coffee and was rudely scolded by the staff for entering their tiny food preparation area. The TV remote only worked if you walked up to within 2 feet of the set. When I brought the remote in replacement the desk clerk acted annoyed by my complaint. In any case, they were unable or unwilling to correct the problem. The room itself was large and fairly well-furnished. There is a tub in the bathroom with a hand held-only shower head. My wife and I like to take quick showers in the morning but we found that was not possible.

Rod Young in Bowie, MD USA 09/28/2007

Best: Guesthouse Lida, Prague
Why: Jan was a superior host. We had arranged for him to pick us up at the airport and in additions received an impromptu tour of Prague. His tips on transportation and things to do was fantastic. He even gave us a ride to the subway station on the day we departed. Also, this place had the biggest shower I've ever had in Europe.

Nancy Williams in Avon, CT 08/05/2007

Worst: Senator Haz Hotel
Why: I had really high expectations about this place, since it looks like your typical cute small well-located family-run hostel. I was really disappointed. We were there in the summer and the air conditioning in the room was so loud that I spent a sleepless night, even though I wore my silicone swimming ear plugs. Besides, I like hard mattresses, but our mattress felt like we were sleeping on the floor - we were both sore the next day.

I know the building looks really cute on the outside, and you really can't beat the location, but if we go back, we will definitely find another place to spend the night.

Beatriz Costa in Seattle, WA USA 06/29/2007

Best: Castle View Apartments, Cesky Krumlov
Why: It is the nightmare of any traveler to get sick while on vacation. I woke up with an infection around my eye the morning after I arrived at the Castle View Apartments in Cesky Krumlov. When the manager Jiri Vaclavicek saw me, he immediately offered to take me to the pharmacy for medicine. The pharmacist indicated that my situation called for the intervention of a doctor. Jiri then took me to an eye clinic in town and waited with me until I got settled. I felt bad because I knew he had a busy morning, but I was very gratified by his concern. (Fortunately, the doctor prescribed medicine which rectified the problem, and my vacation continued on a happy note!) Rick's books on Prague and on Eastern Europe call Jiri a "gentle and caring" man. I experienced that gentleness and care first hand. I thought Cesky Krumlov and the Castle View Apartments were wonderful, but nothing was more wonderful than the service I received from Jiri Vaclavicek. I would recommend the Castle View Apartments in Cesky Krumlov to anyone.

Joseph Garvin in Philadelphia, PA USA 04/30/2007

Best: Hotel Anna
Why: It was the only place I stayed in Prague, but is very attractive. Nice big room,, trilingual desk staff, prices quoted in euros, an internet room with "American" keyboard, very nice included breakfast buffet.

Chris Kerstetter in Renton, WA USA 04/20/2007

Best: Pension Accord (Prague) and La Fontaine B&B (Krakow)
Why: Our rooms at the Pension Accord were quite nice and reasonably priced. The location a few short blocks from the Old Town Square was great. Breakfast was included and was served at a New Orleans style cafe a half block from the hotel.

La Fontaine B&B in Krakow was a great choice for our family. We had a family apartment with a double in one bedroom and a room with two twin beds, as well as a hide away bed in the living area. A really good breakfast buffet is included in the price. The location is great as the hotel is right on the main square in the old town.

David Carter in Stillwater, OK USA 04/18/2007

Best: Radio Inn
Why: The apartment was perfect. It was spacious, clean and somewhat elegant in it's own way. The pictures on their website do not do it justice. The manager, Mrs.Balogh, spoke English and was very helpful. The location was great. I would stay there again.

Sheila Kagi in Mechanicsville, VA USA 03/28/2007

Best: Lida Guesthouse - Prague
Why: Jan (and his wife) went out of their way to ensure we had a great time in Prague. We had an early morning train to catch to Budapest and in addition to breakfast, they made us sandwiches to take on the train. Jan is a wealth of information of things to do and how to get around Prague. Another accommodation recommendation that was just right!

Marci in Jersey Shore, USA 03/01/2007

Best: Pension Lindenhof, in Vienna
Why: I went to Vienna in the early part of last July. I stayed in this pension that was very English-friendly and cheap, my single room was something like 29 euros and included a breakfast. I had a sink in my room and a toilet and shower a door or two a way. Not only that, the pension was deserted so it was like I actually rented the entire place.

The staff are very nice, and talkive, especially the father! It's a no-thrills place, fairly centerally-located, and you definitely get your money's worth!

Vanessa in Santa Rosa, CA USA 01/30/2007

Best: Hotel Emonec, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Why: The location was the best we've had in any city - a mere minute walk from Triple Bridge. The family room (sleeps 6), with two spacious but spare rooms, was a bargain at 113 euro per night, off-season.

Worst: Hotel Emonec, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Why: I know, I'm giving this place a vote for Best and Worst. Why? While the location was great, the family room was located, along with other guest rooms, in the building across from the main reception building. On the backside of our room was a dance club playing music that grew louder throughout the night, culminating with a blasting beat between 2:00 and 4:30 AM. The hotel reception clerk acknowledged they have an on-going battle with the music club, and often have to call the police to get the club to turn down its music, but usually to no avail. The music club is closed on Sundays and Mondays, so these would be the best nights to stay at Hotel Emonec. Otherwise, get a room in the main hotel building.

Melanie Psaltakis (American currently living in Italy) in Cordenons, Italy 01/29/2007