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Budapest Hotels - 10 Top Hotel Choices
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1. Luxury Getaway: Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace
For that perfect
weekend away, Budapest boasts not one, but three world-class hotels - with each
offering unbridled luxury for honeymooners, romantic couples or those simply wishing to experience the best the city has to offer.
It's a closely fought contest, with the Corinthia
Grand Hotel Royal and Boscolo's
New York Palace also vying for the accolade of Budapest's
best hotel. However, we think the Four
Seasons' combination of first-class service and an
unmatched sense of occasion make it a worthy winner.
A sumptuous and truly distinctive property,
guests are pampered from the moment they arrive with a range of amenities that include a
luxury spa, swimming pool and upscale dining (boasting views overlooking the Danube). With
a perfect location adjacent to the majestic Lanchíd (Chain bridge), we can't think of
a better
place to stay in Budapest...read
more >>
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2. Thermal Fun: Hotel Gellért
This year's (2008) restoration of both the
women's and men's sections of the famous Gellért baths means there's no better time
than now to visit this historic 4-star hotel.
Art nouveau in style and with an extravagant spa/thermal bath complex attached, the hotel was made famous by restaurateur Károly Gundel in the late twenties, quickly becoming
the place to be seen for rich, well-heeled Hungarians.
Its ambiance still harks back to the Austro-Hungarian empire, with a tradition and old
world charm that's all but disappeared elsewhere in the city. Situated in Buda on
the banks of the Danube, you won't find a better location for that perfect spa break...read
more >>
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3. In the Heart of the City: Marriott Millennium Court
In this category, at least ten hotels would be
able to satisfy even the most demanding of visitors to Budapest. We're fans, for example, of both the K & K Opera
and the Best Western Premier
Hotel Parlament - each worthy properties in their own right.
However, our favourite 4-star
accommodation in the city, without doubt, is the Marriott Millennium
Court. Immaculately presented apartments
coupled with good value rates
and a wonderful downtown location makes the Marriott very difficult to beat.
And, with the Danube embankment and major sights within just a few minute's
walk away, we're sure you'll enjoy the Millennium Court just as much as we did...read
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4. Room with a View: Marriott Budapest
While both the Sofitel
Budapest Maria Dorottya and InterContinental
Budapest offer equally pleasant views of Buda from the banks of the Danube (both hotels
are located next to the Marriott), the Marriott Budapest is unique in offering all of its
guests a river view.
Moreover, a recent renovation (undertaken in
2007) not only increased comfort levels within the property's 384 guest rooms, but also
their physical dimensions too. Coupled with the rejuvenation of public areas and the
opening of the contemporary AQVA Lounge Bar, it all adds up to a very pleasant 5-star
hotel experience...read
more >>
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5. Historic Budapest: Danubius Hotel Astoria
A traditional and historic early 20th-century hotel set along the
busy crossroads of Kossuth Lajos utca/Múzeum krt and leading to the city's Erzsébet
bridge.
The "Astoria Café Mirror" is a wonderful example of the
Mittel-European coffeehouse
tradition, complete with Empire style interior decoration, fancy carpets, crystal chandeliers, glittering mirrors and stained glass
windows.
And, in keeping with the rest of the property,
guest rooms have been refurbished in a Viennese style that enhances the character of the
Astoria all the more...read
more >>
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6: Cheap and Cheerful: Ibis Budapest Centrum
While
there are plenty of decent budget options in Budapest, this likeable Ibis property enjoys
one of the best downtown locations of any hotel in Budapest. Situated along Ráday utca -
a popular local night spot, the street is home to an ever-growing number of swanky cafés
and bistros, making it a lovely place to visit both during the day and in the evening.
What's more, the property lies close to the The
National Museum, the picturesque Central Market
Hall and Budapest's most famous shopping street - Váci
utca...read
more >>
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7. Romance in Budapest: Andrassy Hotel/Hilton Budapest
Now part of the MaMaison Group, the five-star Andrassy
Hotel is ideal for a romantic getaway in Budapest. While at first glance, its location
can't complete with the clutch of luxury hotels overlooking the Danube, it's just a short
hop along from City Park with its fairytale like Vajdahunyad Castle Castle and Széchenyi Thermal Baths. Moreover, rooms and suites here are beautifully appointed,
while Baraka - the in-house restaurant - is a fabulous eatery in its own right.
Alternatively, for a truly romantic setting in
the Castle District, the Hilton
Budapest ticks all the right boxes. While guest rooms are more traditionally furnished
than those at the Andrassy Hotel, the panoramic views of Parliament and Pest beyond
(particularly at night) are breathtaking. And helpfully, the Hilton's in-house florist can arrange for floral arrangements to be sent to that special someone...read
more >>
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8. Keen to be Green: Hotel Normafa
As an immaculately
kept "chalet style" property situated in the picturesque woodland of
Sváb hill in Buda, Hotel Normafa is a great choice for families, especially in
summer. Ideal for those wanting to combine the hustle and bustle of the
city with relaxation, wellness and natural outdoor pursuits, the property's environmental
credentials are also faultless - being a past recipient of the Hotel Association of
Hungary's "Green Hotel Award".
Well-sized rooms are pleasantly furnished in keeping with the style of the hotel, while a good range of facilities include an outdoor pool, beach volley ball and tennis courts,
gym and sauna...read
more >>
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9. Away from it all: Uhu Villa
The four star Uhu Villa is the most charming hideaway in the Hungarian capital. Overlooking the city,
this elegant turn-of-the-century villa has been decorated with considerable attention to
detail, combining harmonious colors to create an atmosphere of comfort and
style.
Providing a rare opportunity for peace and
quiet in Budapest, Uhu Villa has consistently ranked highly with our customers, not just
as a romantic retreat (and haven from the hustle and bustle of the city), but also as a sophisticated
property in which to comfort and care for both body and mind...read
more >>
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10. Chic Boutique: Boutique Hotel Zara
Following the launch of Boutique Hotel Zara in
2006, and with the upscale Lanchíd 19 also opening its doors late in 2007, boutique style
properties have started popping up all over the city. Typically with this class of hotel, establishments
are characterised by their informal charm and individuality. Unfortunately, however, form can often take precedence over function, with some of the
most modern satisfying only their designers brief and not the needs of their guests.
All the more rewarding then, that Boutique
Hotel Zara is actually
a straightforward, no-nonsense property ideally placed in Pest's fifth district. In truth,
room sizes aren't the biggest in town, but everything is stylish, clean and works well.
What's more, complimentary Wi-Fi Internet access is available to guests, while convenient
connections to major tram and metro routes are also a boon...read
more >>
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Finding Hotels in Budapest - A Brief Guide...
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Although good discounts can be had when booking Budapest accommodation online
- including those offered on our own website - room rates during peak season are often on a par with those in Paris or London
(especially when the F1 Grand Prix comes to
town). To North American visitors, prices at four/five star Budapest hotels will therefore seem expensive. A small comfort
perhaps is that, as with other European cities, Budapest's larger hotels are owned by well-known international chains such as
Mercure, Radisson, Hilton and Ibis. As such, service and facilities at these
hotels reflect the high standards of their Western European counterparts.
Many of Budapest's most exclusive hotels, such as the
Four Seasons Hotel
Gresham Palace, Sofitel
Atrium Budapest, Budapest
Marriott and InterContinental
are located in and around the Dunakorzó and Belgrád Rakpart (Pest Embankment), while 4 star
alternatives - with equally pleasing river views - include the Hotel
Victoria and Art'otel
(which enjoy locations on the opposing Bem Rakpart overlooking Pest from Buda).
Moreover, it's possible to escape both the hustle and
bustle of Pest, and the energy zapping hills of Buda, by choosing accommodation on the
leafy, tranquil Margit Island (an ideal choice, not only because of the ban on cars, but
also because the island enjoys excellent hotel/public spa and swimming
facilities). The Danubius Grand Hotel
Margitsziget and Danubius Thermal Hotel Margitsziget are the two hotels located here.
Choosing from hotels further afield will save you money (as
accommodation in downtown Budapest carries a price premium), although the
availability of public transport should be considered carefully. Fortunately, as
the city has an excellent integrated public transport system (including metro, bus, tram and trolleybus) even
hotels situated in outlying districts have relatively good connections to the city centre. As a rule, check
our listings to see which district hotels are situated in. Central districts in
Budapest have lower numbers - indicated in roman numerals i.e. II - whereas those on the outskirts are given higher numbers
(there are 23 in total).
Once you're over the hurdle of deciding on Buda or Pest, our guide makes
choosing from a wide-range of Budapest hotels easy. Each entry carries a brief description of the
property, while multi-language booking allows you to make a
room reservation in seconds. Where the option to book is given, all transactions are conducted over a secure server,
using the very latest encryption technology.
Suffice to say, four and five star hotels in Budapest have
a bathroom, telephone, TV, radio, mini bar and are usually air-conditioned. Three star hotels have at least
one restaurant and a bar, while the majority of two star hotels will have their own shower
or bath. Rooms in hostels/guest houses will have wash basins along with hot and cold running water.
Many of the Budapest/Hungarian hotels listed in this guide also have their own car parks (for which
a daily tariff of around $20 USD is usually charged). For further details
about star ratings and general hotel quality in Hungary visit the Hotel
Association of Hungary website.
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