The indulgent spirit of Hungarian hospitality is rightfully legendary – many hotels here offer world-class accommodations and services with genuinely caring professionalism, often offered for remarkably friendly prices. In this installment of our monthly “Checking In” series, we look around at the latest developments in Budapest’s hotel scene for the freshest news, special promotions, and unbelievable bargains of April 2018.
Prestige Hotel’s Costes Downtown restaurant retains its Michelin star
Budapest’s culinary community was all abuzz in late March when the 2018 Michelin Main Cities of Europe guide was unveiled right here in the Magyar metropolis, and along with honoring Onyx as Hungary’s first restaurant to earn two Michelin stars, the new guide includes Costes Downtown – the earth-toned gourmet eatery within the Prestige Hotel Budapest – maintaining the Michelin star that it first earned in 2016. Costes Downtown is the sister restaurant of Budapest’s Costes eatery (the first Hungarian restaurant to earn a Michelin star, in 2010), and in addition to creating artistically presented lunches and dinners on beautifully rustic ceramic plates, Costes Downtown serves an incredible breakfast every morning for Prestige Hotel Budapest guests, including local delicacies and truly delectable eggs Benedict; for more details about Budapest’s 2018 Michelin-star winners, read this article.
Buda’s riverfront Lanchid 19 hotel receives distinctive renovation
After closing down during winter to carry out comprehensive renovations to the lobby and guest rooms, Buda’s riverfront Lanchid 19 hotel is now welcoming guests again to enjoy this stylishly designed property complete with sweeping views over the Danube. With a new design concept centered on openness and flowing perspectives, the bright new look at Lanchid 19 aims to integrate urban living with the hotel’s atmosphere. Rooms now feature products of leading modern designers like Cappellini, Moooi and MENU, appointing a trio of panoramic suites and other upper-story river-view rooms, as well as the courtyard-facing quarters looking onto the lush foliage of Buda Castle; meanwhile, the downstairs L19 Bistro now has a more welcoming appearance to the general public. For more information about this renovation, check out the Lanchid 19 website.
Two Danubius hotels complete renovations to guest rooms and lobby facilities
A pair of popular Budapest properties of the international Danubius hotel chain recently completed thorough renovations to modernize their facilities for the contemporary needs of business and leisure travelers. At the Hotel Hungaria City Center near Keleti Railway Station, the entire second floor was given a facelift – from a welcoming “living room” full of plush armchairs to new furnishings, carpets, and USB wall outlets inside the guest rooms – while a fresh color scheme presents a contemporary appearance that preserves the hotel’s belle-époque character. Meanwhile, the Danubius Hotel Arena now offers updated services and rooms as the first floor was upgraded for business-oriented guests, while tiles, taps, and tubs were replaced in the bathrooms. For more details, log onto the Hotel Hungaria City Center website or the Danubius Hotel Arena website.
Budapest hotels earn recommendations in the New York Times
On March 29th, the globally respected New York Times published a fresh installment of their “36 Hours” travel-writing series to focus on modern Budapest. Along with chronicling a visit to the Tasting Table for Hungarian wines and cheeses, a stop at Printa for eco-friendly local design products, and a noodle-soup meal at Ramenka, writer Evan Rail also suggested a pair of intriguing accommodations: the 12 Revay Hotel for “excellent yet affordable views of St. Stephen’s Basilica”, and the Callas House above the Callas Café next door to the Hungarian State Opera House, which is “offering 25 beautiful rooms and suites on Pest’s most stylish boulevard,” Andrássy Avenue. To learn more about the modern Budapest attractions featured in the New York Times, read the entire article here.
Hotel Rum offers new “Spring Ruming” package including rooftop breakfast
This spring, the stylish Hotel Rum – found on a slender side street near Budapest’s bustling Kálvin Square – finished constructing their eagerly anticipated enclosed rooftop TOPRUM eatery with panoramic views over central Pest and the Buda Hills beyond, where visitors can enjoy delicious food and drinks amid a soothing setting with natural-wood décor. Adding to the appeal of this lofty hangout, the hotel’s new “Spring Ruming” package includes breakfast and brunch at TOPRUM for two guests staying in a medium double room for three nights, along with two glasses of Prosecco upon arrival, a Danube boat trip and a late check-out, all for 530 euros. The package is available at weekends until May 31st – check out the Hotel Rum website for complete details.
