Budapest, Vienna, and Prague

Difficult to answer your question without knowing your price points. Here is what I am familiar with Budapest - Marriott - right on the river Vienna - Hotel Bristol - great location (old world palace hotel) or Marriott hotel (along the ring road but walkable to the center)
Prague - Marriott - central location - 10 min walk to the Charles bridge.

Have you looked at Rick's books?How much do you want to spend per night? Have never had a problem with his suggested hotels, and you can check their location, availability and prices online right away. We rented an apartment in the center from Budapesting for 70something euros a night- walked everywhere except took the subway to some of the baths.
Prague- stayed near the Embassy district at House at the Big Boot (Dum u velke boty), which is a 5 minute walk to the Charles Bridge and blessedly quiet for Prague. Also stayed in a central Ibis of which there are several ( book online for lower rates). Din;t remember the name of the hotel in Vienna but it was a RS recommended.... ( surprise!) Have fun- I'd love to go back to Vienna for the opera.

Kathy, Your trip could be just wonderful! Last September, I spent 8 days in Vienna and 5 days in Budapest (as well as 5 days in Salzburg). Vienna: I very much liked the Hilton Vienna Plaza Hotel on Schottenring. It's not right downtown, but on a tram line and within 1/2 block of the metro. Its excellent concierge is Hungarian; if you visit Vienna before Budapest, he's a great resource. Budapest is a 3-hour ride on the Railjet from Vienna. Budapest: Great cityterrific for walking and the Duna (Danube) is magnificent. I stayed at the Kempinski, on Erzsebet Ter; it's a few blocks from the Duna and within a block of the Metro stop Deak Ter (where all metro lines cross). Oh, Erzsebet Ter and Deak Ter are virtually the same square! If you travel by train from Vienna, you'll arrive at Keleti station. I did not find any ATM's at Keleti. You might consider getting some Forints (Hungarian currency) before arriving in Hungary.

I just booked these. Location, cleanliness and safety paramount. All very highly rated on Tripadvisor.com: Hotel Erzsebet, Budapest ~ Austria Trend Hotel Messe, Vienna ~ Ibis Mala Strana, Prague. Jack

I just booked these. Location, affordability, cleanliness and safety paramount. All very highly rated on Tripadvisor.com: Hotel Erzsebet, Budapest ~ Austria Trend Hotel Messe, Vienna ~ Ibis Mala Strana, Prague. Jack

We stayed at the Astoria Studio, operated by Budapesting.com. It was low season so we paid for the apartment only 30EUR/night. I highly recommend it, the building itself is a bit old and dark, but the apartment is self is beautifully renovated and has everything you might need during your stay. The building faces the Synagogue, which is a great +.