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Budapest Accomodations for a Treat-

It's my husband's birthday and we're going to be in Budapest. Would like opinions on a very nice place to stay. Heard positive things about the Intercontinental and LeMeridien. Comments on those or recommendations for others? Location is important too. We like to walk to sites,etc. We're going in late August if that matters. Thanks, Lori

Unfortunately the planned Four Deasons isn't open yet or there would be no contest! IMHO "a treat" means a view of the Danube, so put the Marriott on your list. ALL its rooms have that. Some do at the Intercontinental -- no idea where the Meridien is.

We returned from Budapest a month ago. Normally my wife and I stay at "Karen Brown" type places and avoid large hotels. We stayed at the Hilton ay Castle Hill and thoroughly enjoyed the hotel and the area. The view of the Danube is wonderful from there.

Hi Lori- We loved the Gellert. We had rooms on the front overlooking the Danube and really enjoyed the hotel and the pools, spa, etc., use of which is included. Be sure you ask for a room which has been renovated, because we heard that some were not as nice as ours. You would never mistake the Gellert for an American hotel! Byrd

I agree with another poster regarding the Gellert - "...she's an old grand dame...". I had a room over looking the Danube and Pest - a really beautiful view - I now understand why people have "room with a view" fetishes. The furnishings could have been a bit more plush - the service was great though - and waking up in the morning, going down to the baths to soak and get an hour long massage was wonderful. The location is great. I have to admit though - I'm looking forward to when the Four Seasons opens (2002). The great thing about staying at the Marriot is that you don't have to see the Marriott - it's a really ugly building on the outside. The Hilton in Castle Hill is great but you'll need to take a taxi at night to Pest. There are also 2 hotels on Margetsziget - both have spas but once again you'll need to take taxis at night. http://www.danubiusgroup.com/ Recommendation: Andras Torok's " Budapest, A Critical Guide " - an intimate guide to Budapest written by a native Budapestian - very enjoyable, lots of interesting info.

Hi Lori, I don't have any hotel recommendations as I stayed in a private flat above the city, but you will not be able to walk everywhere. Budapest is a large city. There is great transportation in the form of subways, trolleys and buses. Get a pass for the Metro to get to your starting points and then wander around. If you stay at the Gellart (the baths are great) there is a Semmelweise Museum at the bottom of castle hill in the home where he was born. If you've never heard of him read the paperback about his life (The Cry and the Covenant). Through his work, millions of women and there babies have lived that would have not otherwise. The National Museum is wonderful. I could have easily spent two days there. Visit the Parliament, the largest on the contenant. Near the Parliament there is a statue of Imar Nagy standing on a small bridge. He was the leader of the 1956 attempted revolution of the Hungarian students. The food is wonderful and very inexpensive. Wander down Andressy Utc which once was the street of the rich and famous. You'll find a postal museum, the Opera House, a geleto shop and Heroes Square at the end of the street. Behind Heroes Square is a wonderful park also with some mineral baths. Enjoy your trip. Regards, Art

We stayed at the Intercontinental, which is near the center. We walked to most places, although we don't mind walking up to 20 minutes. Took taxi at night and to further places. You should know that there are three room sizes at the Intercontinental. We paid an extra $20 a day for the largest room, which we felt made a difference. We would probably stay there again. If you are considering the Intercontinental, look into the club program which costs $100. It includes an upgrade, among other things.

My vote would be a river view room at the Intercontinental. Great location next to the Chain Bridge. Our room had a big picture window with a view of the river and Castle Hill. After dark, both the castle and the Chain Bridge are lit. Beautiful. It's extra $ but worth the additional cost imo.

La Meridien is the newest hotel in Budapest, open last October.Beautiful but no river wiew, the Danube is 5 min walking distance.Hilton in the Castle Hill is better, but the real good wiew is from the Pest side river hotels.Marriott's all rooms are looking on the Danube but only half of them on the Chain Bridge and the Castle, the other half is looking on the Gellért Hill, which is not bad but not the same.Intercontinental and Hyatt charge an extra fee for rooms with river wiew. My pick would be Hyatt. Eva