Budapest hotels earn praise in TripAdvisor’s 2018 Traveler’s Choice awards
In January, popular travel-booking website TripAdvisor released the results for their 2018 Traveler’s Choice awards, compiled annually based on actual reviews from website users. Last year, Budapest’s own Aria Hotel (pictured above) won first prize in the “Top 25 Hotels – World” category, and while the Aria is again included on that list in 2018, the city-center boutique hotel slipped to 21st place, remaining the only Hungarian hotel to earn global recognition. Not surprisingly, Budapest properties dominate the “Top 25 Hotels – Hungary” category, with Aria ranking first followed by Hotel Moments Budapest in second place, Hotel Palazzo Zichy taking third, and the landmark Four Seasons Hotel scoring fifth. To see the newest “Top 25 Hotels – World” list click here, and click here to see 2018’s “Top 25 Hotels – Hungary” list.
Mercure Budapest Korona Hotel upgrades guest rooms with contemporary décor
Centrally sited in downtown Pest by Kálvin Square, Ráday Street, and the historic Hungarian National Museum, the sizable Mercure Budapest Korona Hotel is undergoing a series of renovations to modernize their diverse amenities. In early February the hotel released a photo of one of their newly refurbished guest rooms, featuring sleek wood paneling enhanced with a colorful patchwork of fabric rectangles to create a 21st-century tapestry effect, along with a large-screen wall-mounted TV stylish light fixtures. We also got a sneak peek at the fresh bathroom design, equally colorful with an eclectic collection of patterned tiles. While we don’t yet know when these newly styled rooms will be available, you can find out more information on the Mercure Budapest Korona Hotel Facebook page.
Century-old Danubius Hotel Gellért hosts third-annual Indoor Beer Festival
Festival season is still a few chilly months away, but that won’t stop Budapest’s Indoor Beer Festival from happening for the third time this winter during February 16-18 at the Art Nouveau Danubius Hotel Gellért, which celebrates its centenary this year. On the first two days of the intoxicating gathering, a wide range of Hungarian and international craft brewers personally pour unlimited samples of their finest suds for besotted beer fans, who can also enjoy regional delicacies to complement their liquid indulgences – and if buckets of beer are not enough, some local producers of traditional pálinka brandy will be happy to boost boozers. On Sunday, a Beer Brunch welcomes gourmands for a heady feast served with plentiful pints. Check out the Indoor Beer Festival website for more info.
Toronto Sun newspaper features Iberostar Grand Budapest Hotel
In a new travel article about Budapest published on February 4th by Canada’s Toronto Sun tabloid, correspondent Jen Colenutt wrote glowingly of her stay at the five-star Iberostar Grand Budapest Hotel, located in the heart of District V beside Szabadság Square. “Guests can stay like royalty for a fraction of the royal price,” Colenutt reports, citing rates starting at approximately $200 per night. Colenutt also speaks highly of the hotel’s Spanish-themed La Parrilla restaurant, which “serves everything from rooster-goulash soup to combinations bursting with flavor such as duck breast with passion fruit and salmon with cucumber-dill sauce”. To read the entire Toronto Sun article, click here.
Buddha-Bar launches new series of “Yin-Yang” parties
Many of Budapest’s biggest upscale parties take place within the Buddha-Bar Hotel, located in the majestically restored Klotild Palace beside Ferenciek Square and Váci Street, where the sumptuous multistory restaurant and lounge is decorated with authentic Asian style. Here resident DJ Mada spins discs with groovy flair, especially during the new “Yin-Yang” party series launching at Buddha-Bar on February 9th, when both hotel patrons and the general public are welcome to enjoy top-quality cocktails, dance shows, and magnificent music played by the evening’s special guest star, DJ Lia Kustánczi; check out the official Buddha-Bar website for more details.
Budapest hotels offer delightful Valentine’s Day offers
With February 14th arriving fast, if you don’t already have plans for this Valentine’s Day, there is no time to lose – while many Budapest hotels and restaurants present special events for wintertime’s holiday of love, lots of these offers are already fully booked, so last-minute Romeos could be out of luck if they wait too much longer. As of press time, We Love Budapest found the following Valentine’s Day dinner offers available at various hotels and their restaurants, all of which welcome visitors who are not staying onsite.
- Continental Hotel Budapest: Graceful tastes await couples on February 14th amid the Art Deco ambience of this downtown hotel’s ARAZ Restaurant, where a Valentine’s Day five-course dinner is presented with perfectly paired glassfuls of fine Hungarian wines. More details
- Corinthia Hotel Budapest: This historic urban palace in downtown Pest hosts an elegant Valentine’s Day dinner in the glass-enclosed Brasserie & Atrium Restaurant on February 14th – and for couples looking for a little afternoon delight, they will also serve a romantic lunch. More details
- Maison Budapest: Nestled between centuries-old stone walls, the ultra-romantic bistro of this Castle District boutique hotel welcomes sweethearts for heart-shaped ravioli or other gourmet delights here on Valentine’s Day – book a room to make the night even more unforgettable. More details
- The Ritz-Carlton, Budapest: Just steps away from bustling Deák Square, this luxury hotel welcomes guests to the casually upscale Deák St. Kitchen eatery for a Valentine’s Day menu featuring Angus steak tartare and seared duck breast, to be enjoyed with live acoustic music. More details
- Sofitel Budapest Chain Bridge: Served amid a sparkling backdrop of the city’s most stunning riverfront landmarks, the “B my Valentine” dinner at this hotel’s sleekly stylish Paris Budapest restaurant features sole crusted in seaweed flakes and a caramel-chocolate fondant. More details
