DH and I will be going to Budapest for 7 nights in mid to late September. I haven't booked anything yet because I'm not sure where the best area to stay is. I've priced out flights and hotels and, since we will be staying in only Budapest, it makes more sense to book a flight and hotel package on a site like Expedia. It's cheaper to book them together, and, easier. I really like the look and price of the Boscolo Residence http://budapest.boscolohotels.com/residence/ at Osvát utca 2-8, Budapest. I believe the area is called Erzsebetvaros. I have no idea if this would be a good area to stay in as far as being convenient to sites, restaurants, and places a tourist would generally want to go. If not, what area would you recommend?

I was in Budapest in 1974 with my parents for one weekend. We took a side trip from Vienna, where my sister and her husband were living. The only things I remember are the sidewalk crumbling beneath my feet, going to some fancy dinner, and my mother buying Herrend porcelain. I am sure it is a much different city now. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

I'm sure you've thought of it - but why not an apartment via AirBnB?

I don't think I used Priceline in 2005 for Budapest (I did for Vienna, Prague, and London), but I think people have gotten some great deals on Budapest hotels with Priceline. Look on BetterBidding.com. I think people were getting Marriott-style hotels. I wound up staying at some dump about 15 minutes by train outside of the center of Budaepst - I forget why, but it was a dumb choice.

Air + Hotel makes sense only if you really save a lot of money in my opinion. I am not crazy about the idea of having them tied together myself, though it sounds like you've done it a few times.

I'm guessing end of September is not a super busy time in Budapest (unless there's a big event), so there's probably no rush to book something immediately. If you wanted to give Priceline a shot, you could do that near the last minute but meanwhile book something now that you can change/cancel.

I've booked air and hotel packages many times through Expedia and Orbitz when going only to one city. It has always worked out well. It is cheaper and much easier, and, they have hundreds of hotels to choose from, which, for me, can be a problem since I can never make up my mind! I really don't care for the idea of AirBnB or a bidding site either. I prefer to know exactly what hotel I am getting.

Before our first river cruise in May 2014, we splurged and stayed at the Marriott, which is right on the Danube. We got a room on the executive floor and loved it!! The buildings along the Danube are all lit up at night and it was beautiful to sit on the terrace and see everything. They provided food and drinks all day too. Well worth it. And convenient to all the sights too.

I'll look into the Marriott, but we do want to keep the cost of the trip reasonable since we will be in Australia in March for almost a month. I don't want to spend more than about $1350 per person for both air and hotel on the Budapest trip. The place I linked to above looks great, but I want to know if the area is good to stay in.

I've only been to Budapest once in September 2013, so I am hardly an expert, but we stayed at the Kempinsky, which looks like it's close to the Boscolo. I thought it was a very convenient location and we were able to get around easily by walking, buses, or metro. The downside was that it wasn't as close to the river as I would have liked and the immediate surroundings were more business oriented than cultural.

Laurie, we all have our own travel styles, I guess. Priceline has worked well for me; after research, I'm almost always albe to predict the hotel I'll actually get. It's been a while since I was surprised. But - a week's stay is probably too long for a pre-paid, non-changeable stay, anyway.

It sounds like you want a pretty nice hotel. That means there probably aren't many choices, even in a big city like Budapest, that are in a central location. Maybe there are a dozen really nice hotels in central Buda or Pest? (being near the river on either side seems like a good strategy -that's probably where I'd want to stay if I go back to Budapest.) I'd start with Tripadvisor's hotel list and work my way down. You can probably narrow it down pretty quickly to two or three places that aren't ungodly expensive but are also in good locations, etc. Then go from there. See how you can get the best prices. The Marriott and the Hilton are probably on the list.

I think once you drop below four stars this method becomes a lot harder, because there are a whole lot more hotels to choose from.

I very much like the area where the Marriott is located. My last two visits to Budapest I have stayed a block or two behind it in a very well equipped and reasonably priced apartment from this outfit:

http://budapestvacationrentals.com/S...n_Rentals.html

For a description of one of my stays, see:
https://mytimetotravel.wordpress.com...g-in-budapest/

The Boscolo is a bit further from the river, and a bit further from Andrassy ut., than I would choose, but it is close to a metro station.

you could google the street view to see the area near the hotel you are considering. I often do it , and
I read Expidia and booking.com reviews.

The Marriott is $1386 for seven nights and flight per person so not so bad. There are a few others that seem close to the river for a decent price. The Boscolo is $1114 for the seven nights hotel and air, but if it isn't in good location, then I will look at other hotels.

When I looked at just airfares, it is about $900 per person round-trip from JFK, unless we want to fly Aeroflot, which we don't. When I priced different hotels for seven nights, it would be more than booking them together on Expedia. I haven't priced Orbitz yet. Travelocity is always more than the other two. At least with Expedia and Orbitz, there are loads of hotels to choose from, as well as flights. There really isn't a downside if staying in only one city, unless you think you will change your flight. We've never had to do that.

thursdaysd, I've bookmarked your second link and will read it today.

We were in Budapest last month and loved it. Although a few of the restaurants we went to were near the Boscolo Residence's location, I don't think I would want to stay there. We stayed near Erzsbet Ter; I'd recommend that area, or along the Andrassay maybe as far up as Oktagon. What other hotels are you considering?

We've always stayed at the Gerloczy Hotel and Rooms Deluxe ---> http://www.gerloczy.hu/

It's a small hotel with a limited number of rooms about a 10 minute's walk to the Chain Bridge. It's nice3 since it is also a restaurant so if you spend a day sight-seeing and don't feel like going back out you can just go downstairs and have a nice meal. We've stayed in on of the corner rooms which are large and very nice, and last year sprung for one of the two rooms with a small balcony. 15 euros / night extra, but it was worth it.

Pjk

I am a veteran tour guide in Budapest,guiding Japanese groups staying usually in 4 or 5 star htls.
The Boscolo is a very nice hotel, the New York Cafe in the same building is a must see, but the area is NOT convenient for tourists at all. No major sight in walking distance. The area is only 3 stars or even less. It is not dangerous or dirty, just not a 5 star area.
There are only 2 "5 star" areas in Budapest. The Pest riverside: Sofitel, Intercontinental, Marriott, and Meridien and Kempinsky. Kempinsky is not close to Boscolo. But these last 2 have no river view. Four Seasons is superbly located but is the most expensive.
The other good area is the Castle District,Hilton or the small St George Hotel, but from the castle area you have to take the bus or a taxi to go to most of the sights. But staying for a week it's not a real problem.
If you are looking for something a bit cheaper, the Arts Hotel on the Buda riverside or the K und K Opera next to the Opera House is a good choice

I don't like the idea of staying on the Buda side. The best views are OF Buda, not FROM Buda, and there are more dining options, not to mention better transport links, on the Pest side.

Wow, thanks for the replies! It looks like I have my work cut out for me now that the Boscolo seems to be out. Too bad, it looked so nice. I'll be comparing hotels in more convenient locations.

After looking at many hotels, I have narrowed it down to several. The top pick is the Iberostar Grand Budapest Hotel, near the Danube on the Pest side.

http://www.thegrandcollection.com/en...el-budapest/v1

It is across from Liberty Square. The price includes breakfast and WiFi, and it looks pretty nice. Does this location look good?

Staying in a Hotel called the Grand Budapest Hotel would be nice!

How exciting! We loved Budapest! I'm not home right now, but I can look at my notes when I get there regarding things to do. We stayed in a simple hotel on the Buda side next to the Chain Bridge. We did like our location. More later...

I agree - Grand Budapest Hotel would be fun because of the name��

Much better location!

Florida, I look forward to your recommendations. We can talk about it when we see each other at the GTG in a couple of weeks!

Glad the location is better GinnyJo. That hotel is a contender.

Best choice. 5 min from the river/Chain Bridge, 5 min from the Parliament/red metro line,5 min from the blue metro line,
10 min from Vaci street/ yellow metro line.