Where to stay: Prague/5 nights

When you are staying over weekend and don't have a window into courtyard then is probably better to avoid staying in touristy areas. A lot of British drunkards are roaming streets substantial part of night. I have that experience from hotel Betlem Club in Old Town. I like residential area Vinohrady. Still close to everything but away from crowds. Comparable hotels there are cheaper as is meal in restaurants. You can enjoy Cesky Krumlov better when you stay overnight.

There are many great places to stay in Prague but the consensus about THE absolute best place to stay in Prague is: http://www.arcadiaresidence.com/ http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g274707-d612009-Reviews-Arcadia_Residence-Prague_Bohemia.html

PragueHotel Hastal - inexpensive, 3 minute walk from Old Town Square, and very quiet.
Cesky Krumlov -we stayed there two nights coming form Prague last year and then returned to Prague to catch Easyjet to Amsterdam. Reserve morning bus fom Cesky Krumlov in advance -3 hours, Metro from Andel and airport bus from Zlicin maximum of 55 minutes if you've just missed both.With two nights you then get a full day including an unrushed evening this way in Cesky Krumlov, and lots of inexpensive pensions to choose from there. Everything is less costly there than in Prague

Hi Amanda! 1) I would say hands-down arcadia residence (which I see has already been suggested). Amazing service, great host (who provides tons of tips each morning at breakfast), and you can't beat the location. I will agree that it's VERY noisy on the weekend if you sleep with the windows open, but you can also request a quieter room. 2) My husband and I (late 20s) did Cesky in one day and felt that it was totally fine. We took Student Agency bus to and from the town (earliest and latest bus trips)-- were able to see everything, tour the castle, have lunch and dinner and a few drinks at a bar. It was a great day, the bus has great service (although no bathroom), and was very inexpensive. 3) We did 3 days in Prague and one day in CK, and felt that we had enough time to see everything, have great meals, hang out in local bars and really take in the city Enjoy!!

If you want to splurge a bit, the Trip Advisor "Travelers Choice 2011" award as #1 hotel in the world is the Golden Well in Prague. We've stayed there and we've never found anything to compare to it. The ambience, rooms, staff, food, and location are all just outstanding. www.goldenwell.cz

We stayed in the Old Town at Hotel Maximilian
http://www.maximilianhotel.com/ We loved it. It is a small luxury hotel and it was very affordable and very quiet yet very convenient. We stayed there in December last year. I highly recommend it.

hotel 16 mentioned in rick's book is very nice. kind of a university and business area. yet 10 minutes walking from the square. great metro connectivity. quiet area and beautiful hotel and service. have fun, be safe.

Last year we stayed at Hotel Retezova in Old Town. We liked it very much. Great location and Magdalena, the hotel manager, was so helpful and kind. Each room is like an apartment. Go to tripadvisor.com and see the testimonials.

Thanks everyone! You've all been super helpful! I appreciate your suggestions!

I got the Hilton for about $100/night on priceline, last May. It was a short metro ride to the center, and there was a shopping mall to between the hotel and the metro, with supermarkets, bakery, bookshop, pharmacy, etc. Very convenient.

I loved Prague and went the end of May on a RS week long tour in 2006. We did need a whole week to see the city in full. I would try to stay the five nites. We stayed at a wonderful place, The House of the Big Boot. Very nice family who owns the house. It is more a B&B than a hotel. You can find it in the RS Prague guide book. There is tons of places to see in Prague and it is there musical festival so you may be able to buy tickets to the symphony which our tour guide got us which was very nice. Do layer yourself because it can be cool there. Hope this helps. Ann