Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - Budapest Hotels

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I've done a search on this site, but don't seem to find many comments about hotels in Budapest -- except for the Astoria and Hotel Victoria. Eva's on vacation until the first of the year, so I need your recommendations. I'll arrive in Budapest on March 15th, and will probably stay for 6 nights and then go to Vienna via the train for 3 nights. I'll figure out where to stay in Vienna later (I'll do a search first and then create another thread), but I'd like to decide on where to stay in Budapest before the end of the year -- so I only have a week to decide. While you describe which hotels are good and bad, please tell me which is the best side of the Danube to stay on -- Buda or Pest. I seem to be confused by the comments that I have read so far, although I can tell that getting around the city seems to be easy by metro and bus. Requirements for a hotel -- well located, or at least close to public transportation, in a safe area (I'm going solo) especially in the evening, reasonably priced, and the price should include all taxes and breakfast. A bed larger than a twin and a hair dryer in the room would be a plus. Thanks in advance.

I'm the Hotel Victoria fan and I have stayed there alone -- but I don't tend to wander late at night. DO be careful on teh Chain Bridge at any time. The other hotel I have stayed at is Hotel Erzebet -- it's very near Ferenc Terr I think -- the area looks a bit seedy, but the walk is short. It's a business hotel, so no charm. It's also just a couple of blocks from many attractions. Another possibility would be Hotel Taverna -- right on Vaci utca. Both of these will probably be in the $140 USD range or possibily more.

As you’ve found, Budapest has several distinct areas, principally Pest, east of the river, and Buda to the west. “Downtown” is District V, in Pest, although like many cities there are concentrations of stores, offices and other points of interest throughout the city. Most of the tourist attractions are found in Pest. For that reason, staying there would likely prove most convenient. I recognize that there are several nice hotels in Buda, but all will cost something in travel and convenience – admittedly in exchange for something else like charm, price, or other things. In Pest, District V is most central, although adjoining districts are not therefore remote – it depends on where and in which one. Most hotels except the most expensive (“5-star”) include breakfast in the room rate. The Taverna is quite centrally located, and is a reasonable choice, though due to building design and location, the rooms can be noisy if there is a lot of outside activity. Noise should not be a problem in March, though. Rooms are available for around $75 (single) through a couple of sites. Also well located is the Mercure Korona. It is a bit more expensive at around $100 (as I recall), but is also a bit nicer hotel. Hotel Benczur is less conveniently situated for many things, but is near Hosok ter, three museums, and a huge park – though in March the park may have limited appeal. The Benczur had, and I trust still has, one of the better and more reasonably priced restaurants among hotels. Though I’ve not stayed there, we did have some smaller business affairs there, and otherwise dined there, always with satisfaction. The Nemzeti is reported to be a decent hotel, but I don’t favor the location. The Astoria’s location is good enough, and I’ve been by it many times, and eaten there a couple of times, but don’t know enough to comment good or bad, though my sense is you can do as well elsewhere. One can go farther afield in terms of price, geography or both, and of course there are many hotels I’ve not mentioned but which satisfy their clients. Many people regard the Kempinski as the best hotel in town (and it is quite good), but some prefer the Marriott, and others still like the Hilton in the Castle District (Buda); all three post room rates above $200, though I read of one person who got an exceptional deal at the Marriott -- through Priceline, as I recall. The Gellert has gotten somewhat mixed but generally decent from what I’ve read – although it is across the river in Buda (at a bridge and busy tram stop, so hardly isolated, but …), thus a minor geographic point of note. I really don’t know much about pensions (pensiones?) in Budapest, and have the sense that they are not especially common. In Vienna, however, it is an altogether different story. We stayed in two different ones (on two separate trips), and were quite happy with each, albeit for different reasons. I’d book a pension in Vienna again. As for bed size -- I don't know what you can be sure of unless specifically requested/booked. Hair dryers are more likely at 5-star properties, but you can check listings when booking as well -- that is something I've never worried about.

Sally and Rod, Thanks so much for your advice. I booked the Hotel City Panzio Matyas, at Ter 8, Marcius 15., Budapest 1056, which is a 3 star hotel located at the foot of the Elizabeth Bridge in Pest. Looking at the map, it looks like it is right on the Danube River, and quite close to the Hotel Taverna. The website description says that the Hotel City Panzios Matyas is only a few steps away from the Vaci Shopping District and easily accessible to public transportation, and that historic attractions are within walking distance. Also, the the world famous Matyas Pince restaurant is in the cellar of the hotel. The rate I got was $47 per night, including all taxes and breakfast, which I reserved through a Budapest booking service. I can always cancel this reservation, without penalty, so if you think I can do better, please email me or leave me a message here. By the way, I did get Eva's blessing on this hotel. Leslie

You've wasted no time in booking a hotel -- and one not mentioned in your earlier message. I have no personal or second-hand experience with it, but as it is one of the properties of the Taverna company (which has the Taverna hotel), it should be reputable. The rate looks good as well, but I doubt you'll find a hair dryer in the room. The restaurant downstairs (Matyas Pince, as I recall) is somewhat oriented to the tourist trade, but attracts some locals as well. It is worthwhile. One note on the location -- it is on Marcius 15 ter, at number 8. In the US you might find it as 8 March 15 Square. Hungarian addresses have the street first, then the number. Ter equates to square. Enjoy your trip The location is NOT on the river, but rather is a couple of blocks away. You may be able to see the river from some of the rooms, or you may not. Still, the location is decent.

Leslie, A final note. The hotel company's web site (www.taverna.hu -- which covers all the chain's properties, including restaurants) posts a room rate through March of 42 Euros, breakfast included. I didn't note tax or other extra charges, nor a statement that there weren't any. Rod

Rod, thanks for checking the price. It does include all taxes and breakfast. You just saved me $90, as the booking agent was quoting me a higher rate than the hotel was. I've written to the booking agent and asked that they either meet the hotel's rate or else cancel my reservation and I will rebook it through the hotel. I'll keep you posted. Leslie

there is a new hotel called Burg Hotel that looks nice and is reasonable, and is in the Castle distict area, In Buda, right opposit the Matthias Church. It is one of the only three hotels in that aream and has the advantage of much less pollution than the Pest side ( according to my Hungarian mother-in-law)

Don, thanks for the info on the Burg Hotel. It looks very well located across from the Matthias Church and castle, and close to the Hilton Hotel. I was offered a rate from the hotel of 73 Euros, less 5% (for 9 nights) including taxes and breakfast. I'm just wondering if it would be better to be located in the castle district on the Buda side, or at the foot of the Elizabeth Bridge on the Pest side. The difference in price between the 2 hotels is about $30 per night.

I saw the Burg Hotel as it was being renovated. It looked as though it was going to be very nice indeed. As for area -- I LOVE Castle Hill. There is good transportation to the rest of Budapest from there, but it is possibly less convemient than being centrally located on the Pest side. I'd pick Castle Hill -- but then that's me:)

You will mnost likely need to take cabs at night if going out to and back from Pest - I tried walking up a path that started by the funicular, at the base of Castle Hill, early one evening and got very "apprehensive" - way too dark and was concerned about being mugged (okay, so I'm a paranoid NYer) The views are great from the Castle - it would depend on your evening activities.