Has anyone on the board ever used the pool or availed of any of the spa treatments at Hotel Gellert in Budapest? Do you have to be a guest in the hotel to use it, or can you just pay in and use it? I'm going to Budapest in a couple of weeks and it's something that I'd love to try. If anyone has any other &quot;don't miss&quot; suggestions about where to eat, as well, I'd love to hear them.<BR><BR>Terry

The pools at the Gellert are well worth visiting. Actually, there are several pools of different temperature for each of males and females, plus the indoor/outdoor pool and a couple of outdoor-only ones, the last three mentioned being open to both sexes and calling for a conventional bathing suit. The single-sex pools can be entered with a bathing suit or just the modesty cloth supplied. One does not need to be a hotel guest to use the facilities.<BR>I can't speak to the spa treatments, but doubtless others can.<BR><BR>As to &quot;don't mis&quot; recommendations, there are many. I suggest you look over some of the &quot;threads&quot; of the past 2 - 3 months for &quot;the usual&quot; &quot;don't miss&quot; recommendations, and then ask again after giving any particular interests and how much time you will have.<BR><BR>Rod

Topping

I am visiting Budapest in July and am interested in the architecture of the indoor Gellert baths. But...will I want to go into the hot water in July? Are the indoor/outdoor co-ed baths visually stunning? Which of the baths are the most beautiful? And...how much does it cost?

Hi,

If you stay at the Geller the pools are free. Massages etc. are extra. The indoor coed pool is the one with the beautiful architecture. This indoor pool also has two smaller pools near it, with warmer waters. The Geller has a wonderful outdoor pool, but I was there in the winter and do not know about it's architecture or if it is thermal. There is a real procedure about using the all female thermal pools and message area. It is confusing so read the instructions before you go. You do not need any bathing suit for the all female pools, or you wear an apron they give you , or your bathing suit. They give you a key with one number on it, but your clothing is in a different locker. You need to be buzzed in and out of the coed pool area. The people who work there seemed to dislike their job and seemed annoyed. I am a middle aged American and I felt very thin. It was great for my ego. It was an interesting experience, for many reasons, but it made me think about what it must have been like to live there under communism. When I was swimming in the coed pool, everyone swam around the pool in one direction. I think they blew a whistle and everyone changed directions. I might have emblished that in my story telling. We hired a private tour guide for Budapest, as we were only there for 2 days. The guide was wonderful and so informative. This was not expensive. HAve fun.

Terry and humanone- For lots of pictures of the pools and information about the hotel and spa try www.danubiusgroup.com, click on Danubius Thermal and Spa Hotels, then Danubius Gellert, then &quot;spa treatments&quot; and &quot;wellness and fitness.&quot;
We loved the Gellert and the pools--a really unique experience!
Byrd

Hi Terry:

While we didn't go in the Hotel Gellert when we were there in March, when we walked by it they were doing some amazing marble work out front &amp; along the sidewalk ... likely done by now and I'd be interested in hearling about how its looks completed ...

Thanks,

Z

Yipper, we're going to Budapest in September and are interested in hiring a private guide. How can we get in touch with your guide? Thanks!

&quot;Message: I am visiting Budapest in July and am interested in the architecture of the indoor Gellert baths. But...will I want to go into the hot water in July?&quot;

Well, I was there August 1997 when it was over 30 degrees out every day and I enjoyed the baths. I walked a lot and found the baths very relaxing for the body. It's best to go naked, in the same sex baths. Otherwise it's nice to switch between bath and swimming pool.

No, you don't have to be a guest to use the baths and pools. I got a facial and a haircut there as well. One of the best haircuts I have ever had...

I wish I remember the name of the restaurant, but it was vegetarian and had the best goulash in the world. Duck is a specialty, Hungarian wine is not too bad, pastries are also nice.

Actually, my funniest travel story is out of Budapest. I travelled with a friend, and we stayed at student housing converted to a hostel in the summer. We travelled in August and a lot of students were already returning. Fine, whatever. What we didn't realize until a few days after we first started staying there was that half the floor was for girls, half for guys. And we were placed in the guys' half. The first clue came when I was coming out of the shower, in a towel, and two guys were coming into the bathroom. The looks on their faces were just precious. I didn't think too much about it at first as I was used to staying in co-ed hostels. But when it hit me and the pieces of the puzzle fell together....hahahaha...

You're going to have a great trip. Budapest rules!

Byrd, thanks for the web site; ;now I can't wait to go. Lillehavfrue, thanks for specifics, and most of all Yipper, thanks from another no-longer-stringbean middle aged person! Now, all I need to know is approximate cost if you are not a guest of the hotel. Anyone?

It was not expensive at all (and I was on a student budget at the time).

I was there in 2000 and recall that it was about US$6 for the baths only. It was fabulous! If you want to get a massage and/or a manicure, pedicure, haircut, you might now spend $20...tops.
Here's a website for info on ALL the spas &amp; thermal baths in Budapest...why limit yourself?
http://www.budapesthotels.com/touris...ermalBaths.htm

Hi wj1,

We did stay at the Geller and they arranged the guide for us. I really have no idea how to get a hold of her, but I assume your hotel can recommend a personal guide. We were there with friends and shared the cost of the guide and therefore it was very resonable. I do not remember the exact amount but it was worth it. Have a wonderful time and do go to one of the wonderful hot baths.

I have to agree with Yipper that the baths at the Gellert are very confusing. The staff are also less than cordial. If you do purchase a massage, at least on the women's side there are two places to look for your therapist, one a room with several curtained off areas which I eventually gathered was for some sort of medical treatments, the other a large square room with uncurtained areas for massage,which is what I apparently paid for. No body covering, feels rather like being a slab of meat on display.
The baths themselves are beautiful and clean. You'll need a bathing cap regardless of the length of your hair for the indoor pool which is open to men and women.
For my money, I'd go back to the Helia Hotel rather than to Gellert, but my husband feels the opposite (however, he speaks Hungarian, and I only know a few words and phrases). The Helia seemed more professional, cleaner, and well marked with symbols directing you from one area to another.
I understand not only the outdoor pool at Gellert but the one on Margitzsiget as well are fun in the summertime.
Vicky