geriatricresource

My wife and I will be in Budapest for 4 days as of Aug 6th. Need suggestions for an itinerary, including a first class spa/bath. We will be staying in the Marriot, any feedback on this hotel? What restaurant is a must?

Rod

The Marriott is a fine hotel.

For spa/bath, go to the Gellert hotel.

Itinerary suggestions would vary with your interests, but at the top of the list should be a 1/2-day sightseeing tour with live English-speaking guide. That tour will cover the main points, and you can return on your own to what really interests. If you've four full days, the full-day "Danube Bend" sightseeing trip is well worthwhile.

Finally, no restaurant is a "must". There are many different excellent places all over - it depends on what you want.

annhig

THere was a sports bar [got that wrong the first time!] on the main street opposite the cathedral with the best fish soup I have tasted anywhere. [sorry I can't remember the name but it's run by an ex olympic boxing champion!].
In the square at the top of the main shopping street, is a very posh tea-shop; last Christmas it even had bouncers to keep out the poor unfortunates who couldn't get in. Lovely cakes!

Mary_Fran

I don't know that it's a "must," but we enjoyed a late dinner at the Belcanto Restaurant, across the way from the opera. The special feature of this restaurant is live music during dinner - opera, operettas, and other music (I remember one Elvis song - maybe "Love Me Tender&quot, with waiters sometimes joining in the chorus. I thought it was great fun, and the food was fine, though the 100 euro tab for the two of us was above our usual budget.

Link to website: http://www.belcanto.hu/en/

Mary_Fran

By the way, here's a link to a great thread I found posted before our trip this past May, which has some good restaurant recommendations:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34780038

CBHugs

Go to the Szechenyi Thermal Baths in the Varoslieget Park and not just the Gellert. Don't forget to take a towel and a bathing cap along no matter which one you go to. I agree with Rod; no restaurant is a must and there are a lot of good ones. BelCanto, as Mary Fran said, is a tad expensive but a great experience. Georges Lang has Gundel and his Bagolyvar, also in Varoslieget (City Park) is entirely run by women. 4 or so yrs ago it wasn't so hot, but it is very good now. On Castle Hil, I always liked the Cafe Pierrot- even got to play the piano there a couple of times. Náncsi Néni (Aunt Nancy's) Vendéglöw is less expensive and moredown-home style cooking. It is at Ordogarok ut, 80 Budapest 1028 Neighborhood: District II Buda Hills- a bit out of the way but worth it. (Take a cab.) The locals all go there and that should tell one a lot. If it is the season-the cold cherry soup is wonderful.
I beleive that the place annhig is referring to is "Ko Ko" Kovach's "Box
Utca Etterm" (Box Street) at 21 Bajcsy-Zsilinszky Utca. It also has outdoor seating under a long red awning in good weather.
Restaurants are SO subjective!