For the functioning prototype I have decided to go with a VPS solution on linode.com that will allow me to install node.js, mongoDB and AngularJS.
These will make the code easier to manage and to use.
Why not the traditional PHP and MySQL route? Even though I have worked with PHP and MySQL in the past I think working with JavaScript will allow for a much more dynamic experience. Also mongoDB allows for the data to be stored as an object instead of in columns and rows like in a MySQL database. With the data already in an object format it will allow the application to consume and utilize the data faster thus cutting down on the time that the user would have to wait on the application to respond to their interactions.
I think that this approach is better and more aligned with the web focus on cloud computing.
As for the frontend such as HTML/CSS approach I am considering on using Twitter Bootstrap 3.0 with a customized skin to help cut down on the development time and to ensure better cross-browser/platform compatibility.