Budapest is one of the most popular travel destinations with an increasing number of tourists visiting the city each year. Luckily, hotels are keeping up with the growing demand with opening new properties as well as updating older ones. In the last few months, we visited dozens of hotels in Budapest and we prepared a curated list with our favorite places where you should stay at in 2020.
Kempinski Hotel Corvinus Budapest
As most people will tell you, you don’t get any more central than the Kempinski Hotel, which is smack-dab in the middle of the 5th district. These beautiful, renovated streets are lined with inviting shops, delicious restaurants and stunning cafés that may be reminiscent of the romantic side streets of Paris.
Shoppers will love the convenience of walking to Váci Street, which is a popular tourist spot for both shopping and dining. If you are lucky enough to be in Budapest during the Christmas season, then you would be remiss not to check out the festive offerings at the Christmas markets. If you prefer to take public transportation to get around the city you’ll be in the ideal spot for catching prime trams, buses or the subway.
Photo: Kempinski Hotel Corvinus Budapest
Since the 90s, the hotel and its rooms have gotten a modern makeover to continue to provide its 5-star guests with unwavering elegance and yet approachable refinement. You’ll be hard pressed to find more gorgeous views of the city and neighboring Elizabeth Square (Erzsébet tér).
The hotel lobby captures true elegance, with its towering white columns, sweeping ceilings and pristine stone floors. Choose from an exhaustive list of unique services and amenities such as special accommodations for traveling with kids or pets or gourmet treats delivered right to your room.
The recently renovated rooms and suites provide great scenes of the city with free Wi-Fi and a smart LED TV to keep you entertained. Suites boast unprecedented views while offering special amenities such as complimentary shoeshine service and wake-up coffee/tea, as well as a fully equipped office with an iMac desktop computer and 24-hour access to in-room dining from Japanese restaurant, Nobu.
Find your Zen at the Kempinski spa, which offers a fitness center, Finnish and aroma saunas, steam room, indoor pool, health bar, and a variety of luxurious treatments and massages to get the pampering you deserve while on vacation.
Kempinski Hotel is also used to playing host to weddings, exhibitions, conferences and business ventures, and offers 10 state-of-the-art meeting rooms with catering services to help you make a lasting impression on your clientele.
If the way to your heart is through food then Kempinski Hotel is sure to have your undying love with five different wining and dining options from which to choose. Enjoy light snacks and nibbles at ÉS Bisztró or explore the incredibly rich flavors of Japanese and South American-fused dishes at Nobu.
And if a nightcap or fancy cocktail is what you’re after, then enjoy an intimate view into the city’s incredible nightlife at Blue Fox The Bar. Pair a specialty coffee or fine champagne with a heavenly slice of cake at the hotel’s stylish but cozy coffeehouse, aptly named The Living Room, where afternoon tea is also served every Saturday accompanied by young classical musicians who give free concerts to entertain guests.
If you decide to stay at Kempinski, make sure you check out the hotel’s very own Kempinski Gallery that offers an ever-revolving array of exhibitions from local artists.
Quick Facts:
- Price range for a double room: $$$$
- Number of rooms: 316
- Dining: There are several dining options at Kempinski with És Bisztró, the Living Room and Nobu restaurants
- Fitness, Wellness & Spa: There is a fully equipped fitness center and a wonderful spa with a swimming pool, saunas and some wonderful treatments
- Complimentary Services: anti-allergic pillow menu, a shoeshine service overnight, a wake-up coffee and tea service, a complimentary kettle upon request, and a complimentary iron and ironing board upon request.
- Main sites within walking distance: Váci utca (the main shopping street of Budapest), the Great Synagogue, Jewish Quarter, Andrássy Avenue, Hungarian State Opera House, St. Stephen Basilica and many more, Erzsébet Square, Fashion Street.
Parisi Udvar Hotel Budapest
Parisi Udvar Hotel Budapest might not have the stunning view over the Buda side like the Four Seasons does, but it probably has the most beautiful interior among all the hotels in Budapest.
Built in 1913 as Budapest’s Central Savings bank, this building was extensively renovated in the last few years and Parisi Udvar Hotel Budapest opened in the summer of 2019 as part of the Unbound Collection of Hyatt. The building features beautiful Moorish, Arabic and Gothic design with gold, brown and red as the primary colors.
Parisi Udvar was restored to its original beauty, so make sure you take the time to admire the stunning stained glass windows by Miksa Róth and the original Zsolnay tiles. There are also some small details that you’ll surely enjoy discovering, such as the beehive motif that you’ll see all over the building.
Photo: Parisi Udvar Hotel Budapest
Located in the 5th district, right next to Váci Street, the main shopping street of Budapest, Paris Udvar is a great option if you want to be in the busy city center. The lobby is connected to the café and restaurant where light comes through the beautiful glass cupola.
Rooms come in six categories as well as 8 suite categories and some of them have a private balcony or even a private spa! While the common areas in the hotel reflect the original design of the building, the rooms have a modern look with contemporary and art deco styles.
Staying at Parisi Udvar is a great experience if you want to learn about Hungarian history, art and architecture, while also enjoying the top-notch services of a brand new 5-star hotel.
Quick Facts:
- Price range for a double room: $$$$
- Number of rooms: 110
- Club Lounge: The hotel’s executive lounge called the Club Lounge offers free food and wine during the day and hard liquor from 6pm. Certain room categories come with free access to the Club Lounge, but you can also pay a daily fee of 80 EUR to use it.
- Dining: There is a fine dining restaurant downstairs and a café.
- Fitness, Wellness & Spa: There is a fully equipped fitness center, open 24 hours a day. This hotel also has a small wellness center called the Zafir spa, but there is no swimming pool.
- Main sites within walking distance: Váci utca (the main shopping street of Budapest), Hungarian National Museum, Great Market Hall, Great Synagogue, Jewish Quarter.
Hilton Budapest
The Royal Castle District is sure to provide stunning photo-ops for your next vacation, as it’s situated near Matthias Church, the Fisherman’s Bastion and, of course, Buda Castle. Staying at Hilton Budapest on the Buda side will allow you to enjoy rewarding views of the Danube River, Chain Bridge, Margaret Island and Hungarian Parliament, which are particularly stunning when illuminated each night.
You’ll be right in the heart of the 1st District, with its winding streets, unique museums, whimsical homes and cozy cafés. If you’re looking to wind down on your vacation while still enjoying all that Budapest has to offer, then the Buda side is sure to provide you with the fresh air and tranquility you seek.
Photo: Hilton Budapest
This newly renovated hotel offers that sleek, contemporary and easy-going comfort that you’ve come to expect in a Hilton hotel with cool touches such as elevators that were practically carved out of Castle Hill.
The Hilton Budapest offers an array of guest rooms and suites boasting free Wi-Fi, HDTV and a complimentary breakfast. If you plan to stay in Budapest a while, you may want to stay in one of the hotel’s suites, which offers a separate dining and living space.
Wake up and smell the coffee with the hotel’s continental breakfast or choose from à la carte lunch and dinner menu options. If it’s the weekend, enjoy sleeping in a bit before tackling the hotel’s delicious brunch (don’t forget the mimosa!).
Enjoy Mediterranean-style dishes with local Hungarian ingredients at the hotel’s very own ICON Restaurant, which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. If you’re looking to just grab a quick snack and a glass of wine, the casual Lobby Café & Bar will help you kick back and relax.
Quick Facts:
- Price range for a double room: $$$
- Number of rooms: 322
- Executive Lounge: You can choose to upgrade to an executive or deluxe room, which provides you daily access to the Executive Lounge, with free snacks, breakfast and drinks.
- Dining: Hilton Budapest’s has its own restaurant called ICON
- Fitness, Wellness & Spa: There is a 24-hour fitness center and a small wellness area at the hotel.
- Main sites within walking distance: Buda Castle, Matthias Church, Hungarian National Gallery, Hungarian History Museum, Hospital in the Rock, Buda Castle Hill Funicular, Chain Bridge.
Prestige Hotel Budapest
This skinny strand known as the 5th district is teeming with luxury and boutique hotels, such as the gorgeous Prestige Hotel Budapest, and it’s easy to see why when you walk through this cosmopolitan district, with its mix of political, financial and tourism influences. Its close proximity to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as the Danube River and Parliament make the 5th district a popular stay for visitors to the city.
Photo: Prestige Hotel Budapest
Many of the top attractions, amenities and restaurants are within the 5th district, making it convenient for those wanting to soak up as much of the city as possible in a short period of time. Some areas, particularly near Parliament, may even have you feeling like perhaps you’re walking through the romantic café-laden streets of Paris.
Be sure to stop off for a coffee, breakfast or dessert at the famous Café Centrál. And if you are a professed foodie then your stay at Prestige Hotel couldn’t be more convenient, as it is attached to Costes, one of five Michelin-starred restaurants in Budapest serving up international gastronomy with a Hungarian influence.
Walk into the stunningly vibrant and spacious lobby, ride up the glass elevator and choose from 85 vintage-style rooms, each with its own elegant furnishings and décor. Choose from Standard, Deluxe and Executive rooms, or opt for the Prestige Suite. Most rooms offer views of the inner courtyard, but you can also choose to have a room with a street view if you enjoy seeing the movement of the illuminated city at night.
All rooms come with a minibar, Nespresso coffee machine, LCD television, 24-hour room service and a Belgian chocolate awaiting you upon your arrival.
Quick Facts:
- Price range for a double room: $$$
- Number of rooms: 85
- Dining: Costes, one of the Michelin-starred restaurants in Budapest is in the same building and this is where you’ll have breakfast if you stay at Prestige Hotel.
- Fitness, Wellness & Spa: The hotel has a “Relax Room”, which offers a fitness center, sauna and whirlpool tub.
- Main sites within walking distance: Váci utca (the main shopping street of Budapest), St Stephen Basilica, Parliament, Danube, Chain Bridge
Radisson Blu Béke Hotel Budapest
Located on the Ring Road, about 500 meters from the Danube, Radisson Blu Béke Hotel is a recently renovated hotel with fresh Scandinavian design and small, but comfortable and functional rooms.
The building is one of the oldest hotel buildings in the city from 1913, and you can still discover some of the original architectural elements, such as the gorgeous glass cupola that is now above one of the two main entrances to the hotel.
Photo: Radisson Blu Béke Hotel Budapest
The lobby is very spacious as some of the walls were removed during the major renovation project that took place over last few years. From the lobby, you can easily reach the Zsolnay Café, where you can enjoy delicious food from their à la carte menu as well as great coffee and beautifully prepared cakes.
There are two room categories (superior and executive) and three suites (junior, one-bedroom and executive) and they come with some very practical features, such as 220V and 110V outlets as well as a USB charging port on each side of the bed, speakers in the bathroom and free high-speed internet access.
Radisson’s “BluePrint Design” ensures some great elements, including the multi-functional furniture, good lighting as well as references to local culture and design. You’ll also find Nespresso machines in all rooms with complimentary capsules and a mini bar stocked with local delicacies and drinks.
Quick Facts:
- Price range for a double room: $$
- Number of rooms: 247
- Dining: The onsite Zsolnay Café is a great place for coffee and/or dining. Make sure you book your room with breakfast to try their delicious breads, yoghurts, cold cuts and more.
- Fitness, Wellness & Spa: There is a wellness and fitness area that guests can use free of charge.
- Main sites within walking distance: Margaret Island, Újlipótváros, Parliament, House of Terror, Andrássy Avenue, Liberty Square, St. Stephen Basilica.
Hotel Palazzo Zichy
The fact that Hotel Palazzo Zichy is located in the Palace District does not surprise us, as the now four-star hotel was originally a 19th century palace (the elegant, Rococo-style façade certainly gives it away). The once palace courtyard is now the hotel’s lobby, with sleek black floors and glass roof. Of course, you’ll find that much of the palace’s original interior and exterior embellishments are still very much alive and well.
Photo: Hotel Palazzo Zichy
The goal of Palazzo Zichy is to providing a homey ambiance despite staying in a regal Hungarian palace. The hotel offers a wellness center and relaxation room where you can book that much-needed massage (which you might need after that plane ride), as well as a sauna and modest fitness room.
The lounge offers complimentary coffee, tea and snacks every day until 5pm so you can come back to the hotel, freshen up (and re-caffeinate) and then head back out for a night on the town. Or if you prefer staying in, then make sure you check out the general manager’s personal collection of films, which you can borrow and watch in your guest room.
The hotel offers 80 rooms, which are tastefully decorated with modern furnishings adorned in peaceful shades of silver. You’ll also quickly see that the fleur-de-lis is the decorative motif of choice for these stately rooms.
Enjoy a complimentary, freshly made breakfast each morning that includes a smattering of hot and cold dishes such as salmon, meats and cheese, fresh fruits, local baked goods (gluten-friendly, too!) and sparkling wine. From 5pm to 1am grab a delicious cocktail or glass of local wine at the lobby bar to either start or end your evening.
While the hotel doesn’t offer a restaurant, you’re in the center of some of the city’s best dining options. If fine dining is what you’re after then the Michelin-starred restaurants, Onyx and Costes, will be sure to tantalize those elegant taste buds. If authentic Hungarian cuisine is more your wheelhouse, then be sure to try Hungarikum Bistro, which boasts ingredients from the local Farmer’s markets, or Kispiac Bistro.
Quick Facts:
- Price range for a double room: $$
- Number of rooms: 80
- Fitness, Wellness & Spa: There is a wellness center and relaxation room and a modest fitness room.
- Main sites within walking distance: Palace District, Hungarian National Museum, Great Synagogue, Jewish District.
Hilton Garden Inn Budapest City Center
Hilton Garden Inn Budapest is one of the newest hotels in the city. Located on a quiet street right behind the Hungarian State Opera House, this hotel is a great choice if you want to be close to the main sites. You’ll also love their rooftop terrace with a grass area, which is like a small oasis in the busy city center.
This particular Hilton property has onsite parking, a restaurant, a 24-hour business center and a fitness room that you can use free of charge. Hilton Garden Inn is also a pet-friendly hotel, so this might be the perfect place for you if you’re traveling with your four-legged family member.
Photo: Hilton Garden Inn Budapest City Center
A spacious lobby welcomes guests with a comfortable sitting area, connected to the café/bar/restaurant and to a small gift shop. Some of the design elements, such as the pattern of the carpet are also used in the hallways and in the rooms, which gives a nice consistency to the overall design.
Rooms come in 8 categories (family rooms are also available) and they are all fitted with tasteful and functional furniture. The light colors make the rooms look more spacious, and they also create a young and modern feel. Some of the rooms have a small balcony overlooking St. Stephen Basilica.
All rooms have a 49-inch LCD TV, adjustable air conditioning, a coffee/tea maker and an iron/ironing board to make your stay more comfortable, while the 250 thread count sheets and the Suite Dreams® by Serta bed will ensure a wonderful good night sleep at this Hilton hotel. Some of the bathtubs have walk-in showers, while others are fitted with a bathtub.
Quick Facts:
- Price range for a double room: $$
- Number of rooms: 214
- Dining: Their onsite restaurant offers breakfast, lunch and dinner, and there is also evening room service and onsite catering.
- Business center: There is a 24-hour business center that you can use for free.
- Fitness, Wellness & Spa: This hotel features a complimentary fitness center.
- Main sites within walking distance: Hungarian State Opera House, Andrássy Avenue, St. Stephen Basilica, Erzsébet Square.
D8 Hotel
D8 Hotel, run by the same company that operates Hotel Moments Budapest, Hotel Palazzo Zichy, Hotel Parlament and Hotel Clark, is a 3-star hotel in the heart of Budapest. D8 is a great option for travelers who want to stay at a comfortable hotel for a good price.
Photo: D8
The lobby is a like a community place with comfortable sitting areas, a lounge bar and a computer corner. This hotel also offers a 24-hour concierge service, free high-speed Internet access and complimentary coffee in the morning.
Rooms come in two categories, standard rooms (15 square meters) and family rooms (25 square meters), suitable for four people. The colors are bright and lively, and this hotel has an overall young feel.
Quick Facts:
- Price range for a double room: $
- Number of rooms: 121
- Main sites within walking distance: Váci utca (the main shopping street of Budapest), St Stephen Basilica, Parliament, Danube, Chain Bridge, Vörösmarty Square, Gerbaud Café.
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