Fodor's Expert Review Boutique Hotel Victoria

Taking advantage of a choice Buda-side location on the Danube riverbank, many rooms at this hotel—which has had a loyal following since it opened shortly after the Iron Curtain came down—have a small seating area in front of floor-to-ceiling windows looking across the river to the beautiful Parliament building. Don't be fooled by the name, though; while it is a cute little hotel with some cool secrets (of which more later), it feels more like a small 90s-era hotel than the image the word 'boutique' conjures up. The reception staff are faultless, though, and staying here is a very comfortable experience.

YOU SHOULD KNOW The hotel building itself is pretty much the only ugly modern building on this stretch of river, marring the view somewhat. If you can handle that, the views in the other direction - i.e., from the hotel - are lovely.

room

Rooms are large, light, and quiet, and all boast great views across the Danube. The decoration is not the loveliest--spotty green carpets clash a little with the orange throws on the bed--but anyone who spends time looking at the furniture when they have one of Budapest's prettiest vistas outside their window is missing the point rather.

bathroom

The white and cream bathrooms are spotlessly clean and even smell pleasant when you enter. Toiletries are by Pure Herbs, and some rooms have baths, some showers.

lobby

The small lobby is home to a host of friendly and professional staff for whom nothing is too much trouble.

spa

The hotel has a small sauna.

dining

The hotel has no dinner offer, but its breakfast is good and varied, and it has a surprise in store...

Don't miss out on the hotel's "afternoon break", tea and biscuits served for free in the most beautiful setting - a secret 19th century concert room, the Jenő Hubay Music Hall, adjacent to the hotel, and accessed through a door on the second floor or via a gorgeous wood panelled staircase behind reception. The hotel's meeting rooms are similarly splendid, and guests can take drinks there, too.

drinking

The little hotel bar, to the side of reception, is a modern, buzzy place to have a coffee or alcoholic drink while overlooking the river. There's a 2-4-1 happy hour.