Budapest hotel choices? low cost? full of "character"?
Apr 22nd, 2000, 08:01 AM
#1
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Budapest hotel choices? low cost? full of "character"?
Brining up messages back to the top about trips I'm trying to plan to Budapest, Vienna, CR, Poland and Solvakia isn't getting me any responses. <BR> <BR>So... <BR> <BR>questions; specific, short, focused questions - - I'll limit to that. <BR> <BR>My leading contender for Budapest so far: Hotel Ventura - - www.hotelshungary.com/budapest/ventura - anybody know this place? any better suggestions? I will have public transportation only; this is for my arrival date in Budapest. <BR> <BR>Thanks.
Apr 22nd, 2000, 09:54 PM
#3
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I recommend a stay with Dr. & Mrs. Walter Fleps. They have a home that overlooks the city. You get a bedroom with terrace view, private bathroom & big breakfast for $40/night for 2. You take a bus to the Metro & 3 stops you are downtown. The address is Bogar utca 20b, 1022 Budapest, Hungary. The phone number is 36-1-326-8170. They are very nice & have some interesting stories & walking tours.
Apr 23rd, 2000, 02:10 AM
#4
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At the risk of getting flamed I do recommend a search for hotel Victoria - I have posted several times concerning this hotel. It is my choice in Budapest. Despite its Buda location it is very convenient to public transportation. I will try to pull up some of my old posts for you. But it's ^%$^$# early to do more 
Apr 23rd, 2000, 02:15 AM
#5
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OOooops.. my bad. I read "victoria" for "ventura" -- I have never heard of the latter. Hotel Victoris is $100 USD double. <BR> <BR>Okay. went to look. Wouldn't be my choice for location. You will be a substantial tram ride from anywhere. But given you are looking at that price level, that could be as good as you get. <BR>If you will be considering somewhat more expensive hotels for the actual trip please do consdier the Victoria.
Apr 23rd, 2000, 05:04 AM
#6
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I still am going to recommend the Hilton. The hotel Victoria, I understand is right at a tram stop, and can be very noisy. Correct me if I am wrong. It is not your typical grey rectangular concrete Hiltons. It had been a 13th century monistary, and was built around that. Terrific location, walking distance to the Metro, and two blocks to the bus. Also, it is very quiet....after a long day of seeing the sights!
Apr 23rd, 2000, 05:22 AM
#7
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The Hilton is a very nice hotel. But it is way beyond the price range being asked about. And it is nowhere as convenient as other choices re: public transportation. <BR>Yes the tram runs in front of Hotel Victoria - which is why I prefer a room above the 3rd floor. Also when the trees are out they block the view somewhat from the lower floors. IMHO [and it's only mine] the potential noise is outweighed by the location, views and convenience. And as the French say -- "Chacun a son gout"
Apr 23rd, 2000, 05:26 AM
#8
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Hmmm..... re: Hilton.. walking distance to the metro? Not unless you like hikes. You have to take the "varbus" to Moskva Ter on the red line. <BR>Hotel Victoria is less than 5 minutes walk to the chain bridge and the siklo to Castle Hill. [You can walk up and down from the stairs in the Fisherman's bastion -- I do down.. up is well.. UP. And the Victoria is an 8 minute walk to Bathyanyi Ter stop on the red line. <BR>And we all have our preferences... just eanted to correct some of the details
Apr 23rd, 2000, 05:31 AM
#9
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Wow - - look at all the nice stuff the Easter bunny brought me. With respect to all, the suggestion of the home of Dr. and Mrs. Fleps sounds very interesting - - obviously not an idea I would have come up with on my own. Even if their location is imperfect, having a local "alley" could outweigh all other considerations. The way I travel, when doing solo scouting, I might not be so interested in a private (guest)home, except that it's my arrival day. I'll arrive at a "civilized" (noon-ish) hour, and not want to push that first day to long extremes. <BR> <BR>And I will certainly "nose around" further these other two suggestions for the summer trip - - probably the Gellert also for its baths and "grande dame" status/nostalgia appeal (another post by M. Berk, if memory serves me correctly). <BR> <BR>Many thanks to all three (four) of you. <BR> <BR>Rex <BR> <BR>P.S. I am a (physical) postcard fiend - - e-mail me a (snail mail) address, and I'll send you my thanks from there!
Apr 23rd, 2000, 10:34 AM
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M. Fowler, Needless to say, this is a forum. Having just stayed at the Hilton for $130 US including taxes and breakfast, I do not consider it to be out of line for someone looking for a $100 per night hotel. As far as convenience.....we walked two blocks to catch the bus (think it was #16), it took us right across the river and into the hustle and bustle of downtown. Yes, we did walk to the Metro station. It was a right turn out the hotel door, down a few blocks....I would not consider it to be a hike. (So you really are not correcting details....it's just a matter of what we consider a distance, and since I am somewhat of a whimp.....didn't mind it.)However, we normally took the bus and found it very convenient. I am not going to split hairs with you, but I know where the Hotel Victoria is located, and it is attractive, but personally I didn't care for the location, and there is no on site restaurant....FRankly, you are not the only person that has been to Budapest, and my details didn't need to be corrected.
Apr 23rd, 2000, 10:40 AM
#11
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Rex, I too, was interested in the Gellert. The night picture on the web is beautiful. We walked there from the "inconvenient" location of the Hilton, and I was really glad we had cancelled our reservations. It was quite in need of renovation....Inside, it was pretty tacky. Interesting enought, Four Seasons is opening a hotel on the other side in "August 2001" so they say.....in a fantastic building....just don't have a clue how they will ever get the work done in a year +.......
Apr 23rd, 2000, 12:11 PM
#12
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Merriem, <BR> <BR>I didn't perceive that Ms. Fowler was correcting you. If anything, I inferred that there was a (very minor) apologetic tone for herself and for you too, to propose a room of even $100. Though I didn't mind, because I have two different possible budget ranges in mind. The Ventura is only $35 per night for a single, booked through Hotelshungary.com and the home of the Fleps is ony $40 - - (and by the way, I meant ALLY not ALLEY - - duh, don't you just hate stupid typos when you commit them? <BR> <BR>Whatever the case, I appreciate every kind of answer I get here. <BR> <BR>Even Anne's limerick ('nother thread!)
Apr 23rd, 2000, 01:46 PM
#13
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Rex, regardless of where you stay, Budapest is a delightful place, and a real bargain. I have seen seen our money go so far, and the food so good....everywhere! Just eat your way through Hungary and you will not every be hungry.....until you leave. Enjoy!
Apr 23rd, 2000, 04:15 PM
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Rex, I am glad you are considering the Fleps. He is a retired English-speaking science professor (was a lawyer before the communists advised a different profession). We found them through another popular travel guide & have kept in touch since our visit. The view from the terrace is quite nice & it is nice to have someone there. We borrowed his walking tours & partially followed them. I think he is having them published. Budapest is an interesting city with lots to see & it is soooo inexpensive. We went to the symphony (best tickets were $13.50 & high balcony were $1.50). We had a nice meal with bottle of wine for last dinner in Europe for less than $20 for 2!
Apr 23rd, 2000, 04:34 PM
#15
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I was going to let this pass.... and perhaps I should. <BR> <BR>Each of us has our "ax" -- whether it is the Victoria, the Hilton or the Fleps... and we tend to respond to any post on Budapest with our "ax" -- rather than hearing what is being asked. I have noticed that you [as well as I] respond to any post on Budapest with our recommendation. <BR> <BR>Of course I am not the only person to have ever been to Budapest. BUT in the last three years I have been there four times -- I speak some Hungarian. Beyond that I don't think I need to present my "bona fides" to this board. <BR> <BR>And whooooops here I go...... the Hilton is a lovely hotel... yes I have seen it -- inside even --- and it is NOT in any sense of the word "convenient" to the majority of Budapest sites other than Castle Hill. <BR> <BR>I was going to be *nice*, but dear merriem. you have pissed me off
Apr 23rd, 2000, 05:00 PM
#16
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Well, it is really a shame that an adult "conversation" would cause an educated person such as yourself to be %$#@ed off......Sorry, that you are so sensitive. Maybe you are spending too much time in academia.....You should be a better listener, or reader, because I was only commenting on your so thoughtful "corrections".....I am glad you have been there four times, and I am glad you speak a little Hungarian..am I am beginning to think that you are one the the "elite" that is being discussing in a running post at this time. Sorry......you should be more open to other people. Frankly, if you think it is a hike from the Metro station to the Hilton and I am in my mid-fifties, then I would recommend you reconsider your ventures and take a taxi from now on.
