Hilton Budapest

District I, Hess András tér 1–3, Budapest, Budapest, 1014, Hungary, Budapest, Hungary

Why We Like It

A 1970s hotel built around the remains of a Gothic chapel? Putting aside whether it should have been allowed to be built in the first place, it now makes for a pretty unique, and historic, hotel experience, with all of the Hilton's standard creature comforts thrown in. Plus the views out onto the city are magnificent and you couldn't be closer to Buda Castle.

Fodor's Expert Review

Once you get over the slight travesty of this modern block being built (in 1977) at all, at the heart of the castle district, around the remains of a Gothic chapel, the rest of the hotel is classic Hilton. And while its architectural origins might be a bit dubious, real effort has been made to incorporate the Gothic stonework into the modern hotel, which has numerous other selling points: the fantastic views from Castle Hill; the proximity to Matthias Church (it's next door); and the comfortable, newly renovated rooms.

You Should Know While the location is excellent for Buda Castle, anything on the Pest side is a bit of a hike - particularly on the return journey, up the hill. The local neighborhood is also quite quiet at night.

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Room

Rooms are modern and tasteful, with huge TVs, international sockets, kingsize beds and LED reading lamp--all the extra comforts one would expect from a major international chain.

Tip Rooms with a view of the Danube cost more - but they're worth it.

Bathroom

Bathrooms have both baths and showers, unusual in European cities, as well as Crabtree & Evelyn toiletries, granite-topped surfaces and mirror lights.

Lobby

The hotel lobby, which snakes around the ancient ruins, is fairly bland (other than the ruins), but service is good. There's quite a business-y/conference-hotel feel to the public spaces, and other hallmarks of huge hotels the world over, like a small shopping arcade (in this case though, slightly more unusually, it comes after the signs for the hisotrical lounge overlooking some ancient architecture).

Tip The hotel has a particularly good offer for families, including cribs, a babysitting service, children's menus and highchairs.

Gym

The hotel has a fitness center with an outdoor area and great views.

Dining

The modern Icon restaurant is a polished, international affair, with more lovely views across the city.

Drinking

The Lobby Cafe and Bar has a pretty unusual, and cool, outlook onto the Dominican churchyard below, and is a good spot throughout the day, with a slightly corporate feel. Or even more special is wine tasting in the Faust Wine Cellar, beneath the Dominican cloisters.

What's Nearby

Getting Around

The hotel is brilliantly located for Buda's top sights (being basically amongst them). It's a long-ish walk to Pest's best bits (around 30 minutes), or there's a reliable, if meandering, bus service too.

Restaurants

Try Alabárdos (2-minute walk) for high-end, pricey Hungarian food in a medieval venue. Or Szelence Café Health Food Restaurant (10-minute walk) is great for a light, nutritious lunch heavy on the vegetables (unlike much central European food!).

Bars

Cafe Unplugged (15-minute walk) is a laidback, friendly and artistic bar with live music. Or head to Spoon (15-minute bus, 24-minute walk) a swanky boat on the other side of the river with great views, good food, and an upscale bar and lounge.

Quick Facts

HOTEL INFO

Phones: 1-889–6600