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Picking a place to stay in Budapest is a pleasure: there is something for everyone. The hardest part is deciding what you want as there are a lot of very tempting options. Even in the middle of summer and the height of tourist season, you should still be able to get a room somewhere. The notable exception is Formula 1 weekend in August: hundreds of thousands of fans descend on the city, and hotels, panzios and hostels are booked up for the event up to a year in advance.

You need to decide what you want before you start making calls. Would you prefer being right downtown? Do you want incredible views? Maybe you want a spa type hotel, or a quiet, peaceful sojourn in the fresh air of the Buda Hills?

If you want to be right downtown, then you have a choice of everything from backpackers' hostels to luxurious world-class hotels. Among the latter, the Marriott Hotel, InterContinental and Hyatt have fantastic views over the River Danube, while the Kempinski Hotel Corvinus offers the most luxury.

For those on a tighter budget, the good news is that many of the hostels are modern, have no lock-out or curfew, and offer a wide range of services.

Thermal Waters

Many people come to Budapest to take advantage of the healing thermal waters that spill out of the ground in various locations. Several hotels have incorporated this into their actual buildings; the most famous example being the Gellert Hotel. The Gellert Baths are justifiably famous and can be used by anyone (they are usually considered a must-see on a trip to Budapest). The Gellert Hotel is Budapest's most renowned hotel (although it is only a four star establishment) and if you want to stay in a piece of history, then this is it. The Gellert is where the rich and famous spend their nights in the city.

Other hotels offering thermal waters are the Corinthia Aquincum Hotel, the Thermal Hotel on Margaret Island, and the Grand Hotel, also on Margaret Island.

Buda Hills

One of the best things about being in Budapest is the proximity of the Buda Hills. These are wonderfully green and in many places provide spectacular panoramas over the city and the Danube. If you want to enjoy the hectic pace of the city by day, but feel like you are in the countryside at night, then you will want to stay in the hills. The air is clean, the birds sing to wake you up in the morning and there are dozens of possibilities for hiking, biking etc. all over the area.

The Buda Hills are where you will find many of Budapest's panzios. These are usually family-run guest houses. The standards can and do range from being almost hostel-like to very luxurious indeed. Staying at a panzio is a great way to meet the locals. One of the best, with stunning views of the twinkling city below, is the Molnar Panzio. Also very pleasant are the Gizella Panzio, Uhu Villa, the Vadvirag Panzio and the Siesta Villa.

Mid-Range Hotels

In the mid-range price category, there are literally dozens of choices. Some great bargains - in decent locations - can be had in the hotels of the Eravis chain. These new hotels are actually converted workers' hostels, so they don't have much style on the outside, but you will save money as a result. Others which are affordable and popular are the Kulturinnov Hotel (on Castle Hill), the Carlton and the Budai.

Budget Hotels

If you're in the budget category, you can still have a great view of the city: some of the panzios in the Buda hills are very reasonably priced. There is also the one-star Citadella Hotel, which sits atop Gellert Hill. The views from up here are so stunning that the tour busses drive by from morning until night.

Other Options

Otherwise, a good choice in the centre could be the Museum Guest House, the Yellow Submarine Youth Hostel or the Diaksport.

Still another option is to stay in a private room: these are usually rented out by ordinary people trying to supplement their income. It's a great way to meet the locals (even though you may not have any language in common!) and the service is regulated.

Breakfast is almost always included in the quoted hotel prices, and many places - including panzios, offer wonderful food in their own restaurants.

So what will it be? Five stars and a balcony on the Danube? A quiet panzio in the Buda Hills? Or maybe a happening downtown hostel with an all night bar and disco... the choice is yours.







Copyright 1999-2005 Wcities, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Contact Wcities

Buda Hills


Plenty of fresh air
Districts II and XII
Budapest 1125
Hungary
+36 1 322 4098 / +36 1 488 0475 (Ministry of Tourism)
Begin at the cog-wheel railway on Szilagyi Erzsebet fasor. Once you reach the top, walk up to the 'Children's Railway' (manned - apart from the train drivers - exclusively by children) and take the train a couple of stops to Janos Hegy (Janos Hill). Here you will find the Erzsebet Look-Out Tower, which resembles a Victorian folly. Climb to the top and enjoy a splendid view in all directions. There are refreshments available at the foot of the tower. A little way back along the hill is a chair lift (just like those in a ski resort) which for a trifling sum will take you back down to sea level in Zugligeti ut. From here, you can take a bus or taxi back to the centre.

Review © 2007, Wcities
Buda Hills photo by Eszter Hargittai
Photo: Eszter Hargittai
Buda Hills photo by Jackson T
Photo: Jackson T
Buda Hills photo by Jackson T
Photo: Jackson T
 

 
Budapest Marriott Hotel


Classy & Cozy Hotel
Apaczai Csere Janos utca, 4
(District V)
Budapest 1052
Hungary
+36 1 266 7000
http://www.dpbolvw.net/click-2...
Taken over by the Marriott chain in 1992 and renovated room by room, this hotel has been completely revamped with the exception of the monolithic, Stalinist architecture of the exterior. Most of the rooms have a small balcony overlooking the river and are comfortably and well furnished. The Sunday all-you-can-eat brunch is very popular with ex-pats. The hotel also has a large and well-situated fitness center with windows overlooking the Danube.

Review © 2007, Wcities
Budapest Marriott Hotel photo by C. Oertel
Photo: C. Oertel
 

 
Corinthia Aquincum Hotel


Equipped with thermal spa baths
Arpad fejedelem utja, 94
District III
Budapest 1036
Hungary
+36 1 436 4100
http://www.corinthia.com
This hotel is a short way out of the city centre, situated in Obuda, on the Buda side of the river. It has excellent spa pools, which can be used for thermal treatments or just for relaxing. The hotel is very luxurious and is a great place to unwind.

Review © 2007, Wcities
 

 
Gellert Baths


Famous baths and swimming pools
Kelenhegyi ut, 4-6
District XI
Budapest 1118
Hungary
+36 1 466 6616
These famous baths are adjacent to the equally famous Hotel Gellert. The interior is an Art Deco masterpiece, and just about every type of bath - hot, cold, therapeutic, etc. - that you can think of is on available. Believe it or not, the wave pool opened in 1927, followed seven years later by the bubble pool. Bathing here has been compared to going swimming in a museum or a church. The newest and most exciting activities at the Gellert baths are the summer music parties, which are on Friday and Saturday nights from 8pm.

Review © 2007, Wcities
Gellert Baths photo by citycrab
Photo: citycrab
Gellert Baths photo by Werner Popken
Photo: Werner Popken
Gellert Baths photo by Elvira Zollerano
Photo: Elvira Zollerano
Gellert Baths photo by Johan Christian Niel
Photo: Johan Christian Niel
Gellert Baths photo by Orla McGann
Photo: Orla McGann
Gellert Baths photo by Anecia Johnston
Photo: Anecia Johnston
Gellert Baths photo by Eric Arnoys
Photo: Eric Arnoys
Gellert Baths photo by giacomo bassi
Photo: giacomo bassi
Gellert Baths photo by Jonathan Duffy
Photo: Jonathan Duffy
Gellert Baths photo by beurremanie
Photo: beurremanie
Gellert Baths photo by Gabriel Eidelman
Photo: Gabriel Eidelman
Gellert Baths photo by beurremanie
Photo: beurremanie
Gellert Baths photo by Tiffany Devoy
Photo: Tiffany Devoy
Gellert Baths photo by Preston Grant (www.prestongrant.com)
Photo: Preston Grant (www.prestongrant.com)
Gellert Baths photo by Preston Grant (www.prestongrant.com)
Photo: Preston Grant (www.prestongrant.com)
Gellert Baths photo by gezzajax
Photo: gezzajax
Gellert Baths photo by Bill Littman
Photo: Bill Littman
Gellert Baths photo by Shell and Jules
Photo: Shell and Jules
Gellert Baths photo by Brandi
Photo: Brandi
Gellert Baths photo by Esther Kim
Photo: Esther Kim
Gellert Baths photo by jacewittig
Photo: jacewittig
Gellert Baths photo by alk47
Photo: alk47
Gellert Baths photo by Anna Dillon
Photo: Anna Dillon
Gellert Baths photo by jdmckinn
Photo: jdmckinn
Gellert Baths photo by Bart den Uijl
Photo: Bart den Uijl
 

 
Hotel Citadella


Budget hotel with a view
Citadella setany
Budapest 1118
Hungary
+36 1 466 5794
http://www.citadella.hu/
This budget hotel offers some of the most spectacular views in the city as it is perched at the very top of Gellert Hill, inside the historic Citadella. To get there, you could either walk through the park from the Elizabeth bridge or take a bus (27) that goes almost all the way. For a location like this with magnificent views, you would expect to pay a fortune, but the Citadella is one of Budapest's best bargains. It's not luxurious, but it is certainly very memorable. There are private rooms as well as dorm beds, which are extremely cheap.

Review © 2007, Wcities
 

 
Hotel Inter-Continental


Situated on the river
Apaczai Csere Janos utca, 12-14
District V
Budapest 1368
Hungary
+36 1 327 6333
http://www.budapest.interconti...
Half the rooms here offer stunning views over the river to the Castle. During a major set of renovations, the hotel added the latest in high-tech conference facilities and improved on its business offerings. Its location is excellent, being close to most major sights and within a stone's throw of the chain bridge.

Review © 2007, Wcities
Hotel Inter-Continental photo by Thomas Pitz
Photo: Thomas Pitz
Hotel Inter-Continental photo by Bernd Rössl
Photo: Bernd Rössl
 

 
Hotel Molnar


Beautiful complex in Buda hills
Fodor utca 143
(District XII)
Budapest 1124
Hungary
+36 1 395 1872
http://www.hotel-molnar.hu
These two beautiful houses are located in the green and leafy Buda hills, and command spectacular views of the city. They have a large garden in the back, a playground across the road, and both a sauna and small gym. It's definitely worth asking for one of the rooms with a big balcony (at no extra charge); the biggest one is actually bigger than the room itself! Deck chairs and cushions are provided so you can enjoy sunning yourself on your own terrace.

Review © 2007, Wcities
Hotel Molnar photo by Dorian G.
Photo: Dorian G.
 

 
Kempinski Hotel Corvinus


Prestigious City-Centre Hotel
Erzsébet tér 7-8
Budapest 1051
Hungary
+36 1 429 3777
http://www.kempinski-budapest....
One of the great deluxe hotels in the city, Kempinski often hosts heads of state and international celebrities. Though it does not offer views of the river, it is still a great place to stay. The rooms have all been beautifully furnished, but those watching the budget may not sleep well here as rates are steep. The hotel does offer plenty of places to eat, from Kempi Brauhaus to the Italian Ristorante Giardino. In the Lobby Lounge high tea is served every afternoon. Keep an eye out for Formula One drivers and crews during the Hungaoring race.

Review © 2007, Wcities
Kempinski Hotel Corvinus photo by Anneli Nilsson
Photo: Anneli Nilsson
Kempinski Hotel Corvinus photo by Florian Gutzwiller
Photo: Florian Gutzwiller
Kempinski Hotel Corvinus photo by Kjetil Østereng
Photo: Kjetil Østereng
 

 
Kulturinnov Hotel


Beautiful setting
Szentharomsag ter, 6
(District I)
Budapest 1014
Hungary
+36 1 355 0122
The Kulturinnov hotel is a gem, which goes pretty much unnoticed by passersby, namely because it's located inside the Hungarian Culture Foundation. The hotel is small, with only sixteen rooms, and is often fully booked well ahead of time by those "in the know". The building in which it's housed is truly beautiful and well worth a look, even if you are not staying at the hotel. The combination of a Castle Hill location and an incredible building is a winning one.

Review © 2007, Wcities
Kulturinnov Hotel photo by Anneli Nilsson
Photo: Anneli Nilsson
Kulturinnov Hotel photo by Anneli Nilsson
Photo: Anneli Nilsson
 

 
River Danube


Budapest's famous river
Dowtown
Budapest 1052
Hungary
The Danube - Europe's most celebrated river - runs majestically through the center of Budapest. The city has taken full advantage of this and it now offers some of the finest panoramas to be found anywhere on the continent. Starting far away in Germany (where the Breg and Brigach rivers meet), the Danube runs some 2859 kilometers before spilling into the Black Sea. On its journey, it passes through Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Yugoslavia, Bulgaria and Romania. Incidentally, contrary to the name of the famous waltz, it is not blue!

Review © 2007, Wcities
River Danube photo by Tom Li
Photo: Tom Li
River Danube photo by Nathaniel Dewey
Photo: Nathaniel Dewey
River Danube photo by Jenifer May
Photo: Jenifer May
River Danube photo by Jenifer May
Photo: Jenifer May
River Danube photo by Huzhead
Photo: Huzhead
River Danube photo by Atelier Teee
Photo: Atelier Teee
River Danube photo by Cecily Au
Photo: Cecily Au
River Danube photo by Carmen Gonzalez
Photo: Carmen Gonzalez
River Danube photo by Fabrizio Morroia
Photo: Fabrizio Morroia
River Danube photo by Beau Wade
Photo: Beau Wade
River Danube photo by Alice Bigge
Photo: Alice Bigge
River Danube photo by Marta Johnson
Photo: Marta Johnson
River Danube photo by Till Westermayer
Photo: Till Westermayer
River Danube photo by Mark Bland
Photo: Mark Bland
River Danube photo by Melissa Gallo
Photo: Melissa Gallo
River Danube photo by Elina Innanen
Photo: Elina Innanen
River Danube photo by Paul Ark
Photo: Paul Ark
River Danube photo by Mike Fossey
Photo: Mike Fossey
River Danube photo by Jamie
Photo: Jamie
River Danube photo by Carl Ottersen
Photo: Carl Ottersen
River Danube photo by Tom Espinas
Photo: Tom Espinas
River Danube photo by jennyknight100
Photo: jennyknight100
River Danube photo by Maurice
Photo: Maurice
River Danube photo by markus sobora
Photo: markus sobora
River Danube photo by RUBEN RODRIGUEZ LOPEZ
Photo: RUBEN RODRIGUEZ LOPEZ
River Danube photo by baltzer rita
Photo: baltzer rita
River Danube photo by Mark Lloyd Dobson
Photo: Mark Lloyd Dobson
River Danube photo by Noël One
Photo: Noël One
River Danube photo by http://alphaeus.at
Photo: http://alphaeus.at
River Danube photo by Gary Jordan
Photo: Gary Jordan
River Danube photo by Christine DeLuca
Photo: Christine DeLuca
River Danube photo by 2thinknow
Photo: 2thinknow
River Danube photo by C. Low
Photo: C. Low
River Danube photo by stephane martin
Photo: stephane martin
River Danube photo by Barbara Somogyi, Hun
Photo: Barbara Somogyi, Hun
River Danube photo by GREG091
Photo: GREG091
 

 
Yellow Submarine Youth Hostel


Friendly budget hostel
Terez korut, 56
District VI
Budapest 1063
Hungary
+36 1 331 9896
http://www.yellowsubmarinehost...
A convenient central location and very flexible rules have made Yellow Submarine a popular choice. Unlike at most places in this category, breakfast is also included. There is no curfew or lockout, and the staff are happy to offer you assistance regarding onward travel and bookings. There is a kitchen, laundry facilities, Internet access and they also sell cold soft drinks and beer. You can choose to stay in a dorm, three and four bedrooms or private and double rooms.

Review © 2007, Wcities
 

 
Other Schmapplets in this city related to "Budapest - Where to Stay"
Budapest
Budapest - Historical Background
Budapest - Neighborhood Guide
Budapest - Dining & Drinking
Budapest - Art & Entertainment

Other nearby cities:
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Venice (574 miles)
Verona (660 miles)
Bologna (685 miles)
Berlin (687 miles)
Florence (763 miles)

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