City Break Hotels In Budapest - Introduction
 If
you plan to go sightseeing as soon as you arrive in Budapest, then it makes sense to choose a
downtown hotel with easy accessibility to metro, tram, bus, or trolleybus routes. The
city's fifth district (in Pest) is the principal draw for tourists, particularly as hotels
located close to Deák Ferenc tér (which
interchanges with all three lines of Budapest's metro system) allow easy onward
connections, as well as giving ample opportunity to explore much of the downtown area on
foot. Below, you'll find a list of properties we believe meet the criteria of being
located within tourist areas, whilst also offering easy access to other parts of the city
by public transport. Also found on this page are links to several example itineraries,
with each providing guidance on exploring Budapest as part of a weekend city break (duration 2-3 days).
City Break Hotels on the Pest side of the Danube...
 The Mercure
City Center (previously the Taverna Hotel) leads the pack when it comes to location,
being situated slap bang in the middle of Váci utca - Budapest's most well-known
shopping street. Of course, with it being tourist central around these parts, the hotel's
location is best suited to those who aren't adverse to the hustle and bustle of Budapest
in high season. If you don't like people, however, then it's probably best to look
elsewhere...
That said, explore the area before 10.30am each morning and you'll be
greeted by empty streets (as many tourists seem to be late risers, whilst shops along
Váci utca rarely open before 10am). However, with the high turnover of guests
staying here, you're unlikely to experience the sort of service available at some other Budapest properties, although comfortable rooms are complimented by a decent range of
services. Treating it as a functional base from which to explore the city is the way to
go.
Just around the corner is our favourite extended stay
property, the 4-star Marriott
Millennium Court. Depending upon when you visit, the hotel's only real drawback is that room
rates can be on the high side. However, as the property is actually an apartment hotel, a
two bedroom suite occupied by four adults is likely to cost no more than 50 Euros per
night/per person. What you do get is immaculately presented guest accommodation, with an
American style kitchen and separate living area. Moreover, having been guests here a
number of times ourselves, small but important details, such as the cleaning of drinking
glasses, utensils and kettles, has always been good (we're sticklers for nice clean
kettles).
Within a few minutes walking distance of the Marriott is Boutique
Hotel Zara which, among its many plus points, offers free Wi-Fi Internet to guests.
Room sizes aren't the most generous in town, while from time to time, guests also mention
the wall thickness (or lack of) separating guest rooms. However, this is a new, completely renovated
property that's good value for such a central part of town, also being just a stone's throw from the
Central Market Hall and within easy walking distance of Kálvin tér metro
station.
 Close to Deák Ferenc tér, along the now pedestrianized
Király utca is the Hotel
Carat - a recently opened four star property which, according to our customers, is a
nice find for such a central location. Interior decor is a mixture of traditional styling
in public areas, combined with more modern elements in guest rooms. As management and
reception staff appear to try hard too, it's a good bet for a short city break, especially
as sights such as the Basilica of St.Stephen are
just a short walk away.
Currently our favourite hotel in Pest for city breaks however, is the
four-star K & K Opera.
Taking its name from the national opera house just around the corner, it serves as a
perfect base for sightseeing being close to an M1 metro station (two stops to the Deák Ferenc tér
hub serving all three metro lines, one stop to the equally useful Oktogon station and
six short stops to City Park). In short, it's clean,
well-maintained and, as well as offering free Internet, provides a decent buffet breakfast
each morning. Consequently, it gets a big thumbs up from us.
Nearer to the Danube embankment, you'll find a couple of properties
also worth considering. The City Hotel Mátyás is a three-star hotel located
next to the access road leading the city's Elizabeth Bridge. Although a favoured hotel for
tourist groups arriving by coach, this shouldn't put you off unduly. The property is
actually well-run, good value and, within close proximity you'll find plenty of decent
eateries including our local haunt, the Central
Kávéház.
Also within 10 minutes walk of the river is the excellent Ibis
Budapest Centrum. Situated along
Radáy utca - one of Budapest's friendliest nightspots - the property not only
offers good value room rates (all year round), but also the convenience of being within easy
walking distance of metro, bus and tram stops to other parts of the city.
City Break Hotels on the Buda side of the Danube...
Although the city's best value 3-star hotels tend to be situated in
Pest, the Buda side of the Danube also boasts some excellent city break hotels. Starting with
the 3-star Hotel Orion, this
well-regarded property isn't just a TripAdvisor favourite, but a popular option with our
customers too. Neat and tidy guest rooms, coupled with a location that's great for
exploring Buda's Castle District makes it a worthwhile find.
Also nestled just underneath the Castle District is the 4-star Carlton
Hotel. Although you'll find quite a few Budapest hotels to better it accommodation
wise (though rooms are perfectly clean and acceptable, we'd rate them closer to 3-star), it nonetheless serves as an
excellent base from which to explore Buda, particularly if you can secure a discount room
rate when booking.
 Finally, Lánchíd
19 is a newly opened design hotel situated close to the bridge of the same name (Budapest's
Chain Bridge). While there's some debate as to whether the property is more style over substance, we think it's worth a try, particular when discount rates are
offered out of season. What's more, you'll be conveniently situated for ascending Castle Hill by
the funicular railway, while crossing the Chain Bridge
on foot enables visitors to take in sights
along the Danube embankment.
Example City Break Itineraries for a 2-3 day stay in Budapest...
Starting half way along Váci utca - Budapest's most
well-known shopping street - example itinerary 1
takes you through the city's belváros (centre), exploring the Danube embankment and
the recently renovated area around the Basilica of
St.Stephen. In the afternoon, take a relaxing dip at the city's famous Gellert Spa,
while for dinner on the first evening, enjoy upscale dining at the pleasant Cyrano
restaurant...read
more >>
Itinerary 2 combines
more adventurous activities, including a visit to the Buda Labyrinth, with plenty of
shopping opportunities, relaxation on the Margaret Island and evenings out to the opera
and local nightspots...read
more >>
As part of our Premier
Service to customers making hotel bookings via our website, we can also advise on
sightseeing opportunities, day trips to picturesque towns outside of Budapest, good local
restaurants, theatre and opera bookings, shopping opportunities and much, much more. All
guidance is given without favour or remuneration from recommended establishments, instead
being based on our experiences and those of our customers.
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