World Travel Guide

Home -  City Guide  - Budapest  - Accommodation
Accommodation

Most of Budapest's hotels have a strong selling point, be it stunning views onto the Danube or the city, a spa, 1970s sofas, or simply good service and conference facilities. Across the range, hotel prices are listed in German Deutschmark (DM) although forints are accepted. As for service, one should not expect to be met with wide, toothy smiles. Staff are courteous but never obsequious. Prices are higher during special events (such as Formula 1 races), at Christmas, and in high season, which runs from late spring through to early autumn. It is advisable to book at least two weeks in advance (a month in advance during the spring festival and Hungarian Grand Prix). Failing that, IBUSZ, V. Apáczai Csere János utca 1 (tel: (1) 318 3925 or 318 5776; fax: 317 9099; e-mail: tribusz.hotel.service@mail.datanet.hu), organises same-day accommodation free of charge. Up-to-date information of hotel availability is provided on the internet (web site: www.hotelinfo.hu). Room prices do not include 12% VAT or 3% tourism tax.

Hotel Intercontinental Budapest
V. Apáczai Csere János utca 12-14
Tel: (1) 327 6333. Fax: (1) 327 6356.
E-mail: budapest@interconti.com
Web site: www.interconti.com
Cost: DM460-550 (breakfast costs DM21).

All rooms look onto the Danube and are air-conditioned. As one would expect from a hotel of this size, there are good business and sports facilities. The hotel is noted for its fine pastries but not for its good management. There are two restaurants, a bar, laundry and massage facilities.

Budapest Marriott Hotel
V. Apáczai Csere János utca 4
Tel: (1) 266 7000. Fax: (1) 266 5000.
E-mail: marriott-budapest@pronet.hu
Cost: DM449 high season; DM399 low season (breakfast costs DM30).

Favoured by the local business community for conferences, the centrally located Marriott in Pest offers excellent service. All 363 rooms look onto the Danube and are air-conditioned, over half are non-smoking. Fitness facilities are excellent; others include currency exchange, three restaurants, bar and coffee shop.

Kempinski Hotel Corvinus Budapes

V. ErzsÉbet tÉr 7-8
Tel: (1) 429 3777. Fax: (1) 429 4777.
E-mail: hotel@kempinski.hu
Web site: www.kempinski.hu
Cost: DM440-520 (breakfast costs DM33).

Madonna stayed here during the shooting of Evita. The luxurious Kempinski is located in the financial district, just off the chic shopping avenue of Váci utca. Suites are large and well equipped for business, rooms are elegant and air-conditioned. The business centre and function rooms are extensive, breakfast is copious, there are two restaurants and bars, and a small but deeply relaxing swimming pool. The Kempinski is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World.

Atrium Hyatt Budapest
V. Roosevelt tÉr 2
Tel: (1) 266 1234. Fax (1) 266 9101.
E-mail: reservation@budapest.hyatt.hu
Cost: DM410-490 (breakfast costs DM29).

This hotel does not have a particularly personalised dÉcor, however, it is centrally located with good views of the Danube, particularly from the popular Balloon Bar. Service is good as are the business and conference facilities. The Hyatt caters for corporate entertainment, which can be laid on at the impressive NÉprajzi Múzeum (Ethnographical Museum) nearby. To unwind, there is a fitness centre, with sauna, solarium, swimming pool and gym equipment. There are 43 non-smoking rooms, three restaurants, a bar and coffee shop and currency exchange.

Budapest Hilton
1. Hess András tÉr 1-3
Tel: (1) 488 6600. Fax: (1) 488 6688.
E-mail: hungary@hiltonhu.net
Cost: DM390-530 (breakfast costs DM32).

Located on Castle Hill, the Hilton is luxurious and relaxing, with excellent views over the Danube. Unusual features include a seventeenth-century façade, the remains of a thirteenth-century Gothic church and a cellar where Hungarian wines can be tasted. There are good business facilities, currency exchange, two bars, a restaurant and casino; as well as beauty salon, sauna, solarium and swimming pool. The rooms are air-conditioned and 50 are non-smoking. The Hilton is a good all-rounder and consequently much in demand; it is wise to book well in advance.

Danubius Hotel GellÉrt
XI. Szent GellÉrt tÉr 1, 1111 Budapest
Tel: (1) 385 2200. Fax: (1) 466 6631.
E-mail: resoff@gellert.hu
Web site: www.danubiusgroup/danubius/gellert.html
Cost: DM352.

This splendid Art Nouveau hotel was built between 1912 and 1918 on the site of a Turkish bathhouse. The hotel has benefited from major renovations. In addition to the famous spa, which is free to hotel residents, the GellÉrt has personalised rooms, a business centre and conference facilities, currency exchange and casino, restaurant and bar.

Danubius Grand Hotel Margitsziget and Danubius Thermal Hotel Margitsziget
XIII. Margitsziget, 1138 Budapest
Tel: (1) 329 2300. Fax: (1) 329 3923.
Cost: DM320 high season; DM270 (Thermal Hotel), DM280 (Grand Hotel) low season.

Situated on the car-free, carefree Margaret Island, these two hotels linked by an underground corridor are co-owned. Each has a spa centre, good restaurants and spacious conference facilities. The Grand Hotel (built in 1873) has an old-fashioned charm, while the Thermal Hotel is Scandinavian in style with on-site tennis courts.

Danubius Thermal Hotel Helia
XIII. Kárpát utca 62-64
Tel: (1) 452 5800. Fax: (1) 452 5801.
E-mail: hhelia@mail.matav.hu
Web site: www.danubiusgroup.com
Cost: DM290.

This modern spa hotel goes overboard on pine, decorated as it is in Scandinavian style. The spa is extremely clean. There are good fitness facilities, solarium, swimming pool and massage. Rooms are comfortable, air-conditioned, bright and airy. Temptingly, all suites have their own sauna. Five rooms are extremely well equipped for wheelchair users. The hotel is well served with a business centre and good conference facilities. There is a bar, two restaurants and currency exchange.

Hotel Taverna
V. Váci utca 20
Tel: (1) 138 4999. Fax: (1) 485 3111.
E-mail: hotel@hoteltaverna.hu
Web site: www.hoteltaverna.hu
Cost: DM275.

Situated on the chic shopping street, Váci utca, near the Gerbeau CafÉ, the Taverna has 222 air-conditioned rooms. There are four suites - two with private sauna, two with private bar and jacuzzi. The hotel has adequate conference facilities and a restaurant, Gambrinus, much favoured by the Hungarian business community.

Park Hotel Flamenco Budapest
XI. Tas vezÉr utca 7, 1113 Budapest
Tel: (1) 372 2000. Fax: (1) 365 8007.
E-mail: budfla@hungary.net
Web site: www.hungary.net/flamenco
Cost: DM270 high season; DM210 low season.

Within a concrete-clad exterior is a restful, comfortable hotel where the staff are pleasant and efficient. The rooms are decent, and the suites spacious. The outdoor terrace restaurant is pleasant and overlooks a neighbouring park. Rooms are air-conditioned and 30 are non-smoking. There are two restaurants and two bars, conference facilities, a sauna and a solarium.

Hotel Astoria
V. Kossuth Lajos utca 19-21, 1053 Budapest
Tel: (1) 317 3411. Fax: (1) 318 6798.
E-mail: astoria@hungary.net
Web site: www.danubiusgroup.com
Cost: DM250.

Located at a bustling intersection named after the hotel, the Astoria's chandeliers, gleaming marble and Empire style evoke the old Budapest. For those who choose not to stay in one of the hotel's 25 rooms and five suites, it is worth taking breakfast or an evening meal in the Baroque dining room.

Radisson SAS BÉke Hotel
VI. TerÉz körút 43
Tel: (1) 301 1600. Fax: (1) 301 1615.
E-mail: beke@hungary.net
Cost: DM250 high season; DM205 low season (breakfast costs DM25).

Situated near the State Opera and business district, this turn-of-the-century hotel offers personalised service and excellent pastries. Rooms are comfortable and air-conditioned. There are two bars and restaurants, currency exchange, conference facilities and fax. The health centre is well equipped with sauna, swimming pool and solarium. The Zsolnay coffee bar on the first floor is traditionally one of the best in Budapest.



Copyright © 2001 Columbus Publishing
    
GENERAL
City Overview
City Statistics
Cost of Living
History
Language
Accommodation
 
GETTING THERE
Air
Water
Road
Rail
 
GETTING AROUND
Getting Around
 
BUSINESS
Business
 
SIGHTSEEING
Sightseeing
Key Attractions
Further Distractions
Tours of the City
Excursions
 
ENTERTAINMENT
Nightlife
Sport
Shopping
Culture
Special Events
Food and Drink