Visiting the Czech Republic and Hungary in December 2011

We just stayed at Hotel Maxmilian in Prague last month. I made the reservation via email because we had a child with us and I needed special pricing for adding her into our room. They had a buy 2, get 1 night free special and we were staying three nights so it was very affordable. They have a nice website to make arrangements through though. It was a great location and great hotel.

My suggestion is some overnight stays if you are going to see the 3 Ts and Cesky Krumlov. And I would group the away from Prague stays together (Cesky Krumlov first and then the 3 Ts) and get a rental car so you can go from place to place easily. Kutna Hora can be done on the return day to Prague if you leave early enough from the 3 T area. One of my favorite places to stay in Trebon is Penzion Pohadka Website: http://www.penzionpohadka.cz/en/index.php . For Cesky Krumlov Pensionek Olsakovky is a good place Website: http://www.olsakovsky.cz/eng/ceny.html . Both are centrally located in the towns. Now for Prague, I have to say if I'm not with my inlaws I usually stay at Guest House Lida each year for at least 1 night to decompress. They are not centrally located, but it is a great value and they are wonderful hosts. You could easily catch the 17 at the river or 18 (or the Metro) a handful of blocks above Lida to get into Prague 1 or 2.
The neighborhood has just about anything you would want. You can rent a car at a very reasonable price at CS Czechocar Rent A Car & my favorite location is one one Metro stop away (Vysehrad) from Lida at the Congressa Center 5.kv?tna 65 Praha 4. Website: http://carrental.czechocar.com/ .

If you want to visit Christmas Markets you probably want to be close to them.There are several of them in Prague. We liked the most one in Old Town Square. We stayed in hotel Antic very close to the square. Room was small but clean and quiet. It was through Prague Experience package which also included ride from the airport, river dinner cruise and 4 hours guided walk through Downtown Prague. In Kutna Hora try hotel Garni. It's in the center and is reasonably priced. Cesky Krumlov- hotel Konvice- large room with a view of the Castle. Trebon- hotel Bohemia- right on the shore of the pond Svet (World). But that was in summer. In winter I would rather stay in the center. Telc and Slavonice are beautiful but small enough to see in couple hours. I don't have personal experience with Trebic not counting short visit over 40 years ago. Not too far from Trebic is Brno, a lively big city with 2 Christmas Markets. To see all those little towns I also recommend to rent a car.

In Prague, the Kozna 6 apartments of Arcadia Residence, just steps from the Old Town Square, would be a perfect place to stay. Amazing welcome and hospitality...you won't find a better spot! We loved our stay there last September.
Check out all the positive reviews on Trip Advisor.

Having just completed a grand tour of the Christmas markets in France, Germany and ending in Prague, I would not agree that Prague's markets sucked. Unfortunately that is his style. All markets are different and some in Germany are pretty average. The Prague markets were different in that it was smaller and tended to focus more on food especially the market in the main square. However, we went a market outside of the old town area which was limited to all local handicraft and that was as nice or better than anything we saw in Germany. There is a published list of the various markets in other parts of Prague. During our visit it was cold everywhere (low teens) so come prepared.

The place to stay in Trebic is the EA Hotel Joseph 1699. It's a gem. We booked it through Venere.com.
If you go to Telc (and you should) be sure to go up the tower for the fantastic 360 degree views. I'd also recommend Hotel Anna in Prague. In Kutna Hora we stayed at Hotel U Vlasskeho Dvora, which was OK. These are all small hotels.

I have been in Cesky Krumlov for Christmas market and I think you will love it In Cesky Krumlov the finest Hotel is Hotel Ruze. http://www.ckrumlov.info/docs/en/uby92.xml It isn't my style but I have heard it praised by friends and I read a book published in the 30s that raved about it. I prefer Na Louzi http://www.ckrumlov.info/docs/en/uby25.xml It has very pretty rooms but they are small and no electronics. All rooms have shower and toilet insuite. This is my favorite eating and drinking place in C. Krumlov. Hotel Dvorak is very nice. I have never stayed there but my friends have. I have stayed at the B&B Penzion Marie it is very nice with clean pretty rooms. http://www.ckrumlov.info/docs/en/uby89.xml It has less character than Na Louzie. In Trebon I stayed at Pension Siesta which was very clean, well appointed and sunny.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/LocationPhotos-g277812-d310618-Pension_Siesta-Trebon_Bohemia.html

For your stay in Trebon I recommend Southern Bohemia Comfort http://www.jihoceskapohoda.cz/
It's a really nice place to stay, the rooms were clean and new and it is central to everything in Trebon. It is close to the lake and a short walk to the square. The owners speak excellent English and are very accommodating!

My wife and I recently traveled to both Budapest and Prague and stayed in hostels and loved them both. In Budapest we stayed at the Maverick Hostel. Fabulous place located on the Pest side near Vaci Utca. Room was a single bedroom with ensuite. Great value. In Prague we stayed at the Hostel Tyn. Very nice hostel with great staff but no ensuite. However the location for this one was incredible. Literally a 5 minute walk to the Old Town Center. Enjoy!