The best hotels to stay in Budapest

Budapest is one of Hungary’s top destinations, with a culinary and cultural reputation to match. But if you want to visit with peace of mind and take the time to relax, it’s also important to choose your hotel carefully.

The city boasts many emblematic monuments, including Buda Castle, the Millennium Underground Railway and Heroes’ Square. All of which take visitors on a journey back in time. But where to stay? This is the question that many tourists ask themselves, and criteria such as proximity to emblematic sites, as well as comfort, are not to be overlooked. Here’s a list of places to stay where you can relax after a long day’s walking.

From historic to modern hotels, there’s no shortage of accommodation to choose from in Budapest. Despite these differences, they all have one thing in common: most are located right in the city centre, close to the city’s most emblematic tourist attractions. So here’s a list of establishments that might suit you if you’re a lover of history and modernity.

1- Hotel Clark Budapest

Location: Budapest, Clark Ádám tér 1, 1013 Hungary

Category: Favourite

Strong points:

• Airport shuttle
• Fitness centre
• Close to sights
• View of the Danube

Weak points:

• Children from 14 years

Hotel description: The Clark Budapest hotel is one of the favourites of travellers visiting Budapest, and it’s easy to see why! With its ideal location, sauna and breathtaking views over the city, it’s hard not to find something to suit you. Before setting off to explore the city, guests can enjoy a hearty buffet breakfast. And don’t miss the Leo bar on the roof, with its breathtaking views over the city.

2- Brody House

Location: Budapest, Bródy Sándor utca 10, 1088 Hungary

Category: Unusual

Strong points

• Large rooms
• Original and historic location
• Close to the Gellert terms
• Quiet location

Hotel description: Founded at the end of the 19th century, the hotel is characterised by its originality and atypical decoration. Lion-legged baths, wooden headboards… You’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time. A little extra: a kitchenette is also available to visitors, as well as a self-service bar offering free tea and coffee.

3- Meininger Budapest Great Market Hall

Location: Budapest, 2 Csarnok ter, 1093 Hungary

Category: Affordable

Strong points:

• Proximity to tourist sites
• Quiet area
• Family rooms
• Soundproof windows

Weak points:

• Entirely non-smoking establishment
• Card payment only

Hotel description: Located close to tourist sites such as the Parliament, the National Opera and Saint-Etienne Basilica, the hotel welcomes its guests in a variety of friendly spaces. The large, bright and colourful rooms are ideal for families. For the more adventurous, there is also a fully-equipped communal work area.

4- Danubius Hotel Astoria City Center

Location: Budapest, Kossuth Lajos u. 19-21, 1053 Hungary

Category: Good value for money

Strong points:

• Close to metro
• Parking nearby
• Childcare available
• Generous breakfast

Weak points:

• No kettle in the rooms

Hotel description: Would you like to visit Budapest entirely on foot? This hotel is ideally located for both young and old walkers. Located right in the heart of the city, the main attractions such as the Hungarian National Museum, the Great Synagogue and the Danube promenade are only a 10-minute walk away. And if you ever want to venture further afield, the metro station is right opposite the hotel!

5- Smart Hotel Budapest

Location: 1068 Budapest, 4 Lövölde tér al, Hungary

Category: Good value for money

Strong points:

• Airport shuttle
• Proximity to transport
• Sauna and children’s playground
• Some rooms have a kitchenette

Weak points:

• No windows in some rooms

Hotel description: What makes this hotel special? Its digital side! Your magnetic key is used to ‘wake up’ your room. A tablet is built into the wall, which you can use to personalise the light, temperature and humidity in the room. Presence detectors are also installed in the rooms so that traditional light switches are not used. Visitors also praised the quality of the breakfast.