Located in the quiet, pleasant Embassy District
A five-minute walk to the metro, Heroes Square, and City Park
Most rooms have been renovated, and have flat-screen TVs and minibars
Elegant restaurant with a Hungarian menu and alfresco terrace
Meeting and convention facilities for up to 230 people
Breakfast available with hot and cold dishes
Free Wi-Fi throughout
On-site parking (fee)
Some rooms still await renovation and show wear
Breakfast not included in all room rates
Not all rooms have good views
The Benczur Hotel is a mid-range property set in the quiet, leafy Embassy District in the Pest half of the city, near the metro and City Park, with such attractions as Vajahunyad Castle, a boating lake, and the zoo. The hotel's 160 rooms are still undergoing renovation, and while most are modern with flat-screen TVs and minibars, some in the Economy Wing show age and wear. The restaurant highlights seasonal Hungarian cooking, and offers alfresco dining on the terrace -- however the food garners mixed reviews. The lobby is bright and spacious, but, overall, the seven-story hotel -- built in 1969 -- evokes the blockiness of Soviet-era style. Travelers could also consider the nearby Mirage Fashion Hotel, which is housed in an attractive 19th-century building, but rates will be slightly higher.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
Communist-era hotel with modern wing, and a certain faded elegance
The Benczur was built in 1969 as a trade union guest house, and the Communist-era ambience still lingers in the hotel's drab functional architecture. Flanked by thick, green bushes, a concrete access ramp and steps lead to the front desk via a curving portico. The lobby, last renovated in 2008 when the Superior Wing was added, is well-maintained with smart wood paneling, mirrored pillars, and the hotel's signature rust tones. A dated elegance persists in the bowed draperies, polished brass, and pieces of museum worthy-looking art and sculpture, though racks of tourist info, plastic plants, and faux-leather seating deflate the grandeur. With its central location and conference, the hotel draws a mix of vacationing couples and families with children, as well as business travelers.
Location
Located in the leafy Embassy District, a five-minute walk to the metro and City Park
The hotel is located in the leafy and relatively quiet Embassy District, on the Pest side of the city (the eastern side of the Danube). It's a five- to 10-minute walk to Heroes Square and City Park, with is monuments, museums, art galleries, and the famous Szechenyi Thermal Baths, and Vajdahunyad Castle. While there are a few restaurants and cafes within walking distance of the hotel, the Bajza utca Metro station, a five-minute walk away, connects to the city center in less than 15 minutes. Budapest Airport is a 25- to 30-minute drive from the hotel, or about an hour away on public transportation.
Rooms
Rooms under renovation -- some showing wear -- with free Wi-Fi and minibars
The Benczur Hotel's 160 rooms are spread across seven floors, most of which fit into either Economy or Superior categories. Superior Rooms are housed in the renovated wing of the hotel -- they are well-maintained with smart wood veneer paneling, carpeted floors, and modern furniture. While many Economy Rooms have also undergone a revamp, those still awaiting renovation are dated and worn. Amenities can also vary -- some of the less-expensive rooms still have tube-style TVs -- although most have 32-inch flat-screens with some English-language channels; all include minibars but no coffeemakers, and free, fast Wi-Fi. Renovated bathrooms have walk-in showers, while others have small, shower/tub combos. Some rooms open to small unfurnished balconies, and about half have street and half garden views, though none of the views are particularly attractive.
Features
Elegant restaurant with alfresco terrace serving seasonal Hungarian cuisine
A buffet breakfast of hot and cold items is served in the hotel's rather elegant restaurant, though reports are mixed and it's not always included in the room rate. The restaurant is also open for lunch and dinner, offering an a la carte menu of mainly traditional seasonal Hungarian cooking, and there's an outdoor terrace for alfresco dining. There are eight conference and meeting rooms, plus a large car park (for a daily fee), though there's no fitness center. Fast, reliable Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.
