Buda Castle Fashion Hotel

In a building dating back to the 15th century, the Buda Castle Fashion Hotel is an upscale, modern boutique hotel within walking distance of the Buda Castle and historic Budapest sites. Modern furnishings blend with old-world brick architectural designs at the electronic glass entrance and in the lobby. The contemporary front desk faces an arched doorway overlooking the courtyard, with a small lawn and a patio that has outdoor furniture set up for wine tastings during the warmer months. Common areas have the same modern beige and brown carpeting with a petroglyph-like pattern. Hallways on the top floor have slanted ceilings. Most of the guests are couples, many of whom are returning visitors. 

The hotel is on a quiet street in Budapest’s historic First District in the Castle Hill area. It’s two blocks from Fisherman’s Bastion and Matthias Church, and within easy walking distance of Buda Castle, the Danube River, and the SzechenyiChain Bridge which leads over the river to near the Parliament. Surrounding the hotel are restaurants, cafes, shops and the 16 bus line stop, which goes to the Shoes on the Danube in just under 20 minutes. The Hungarian State Opera is 22 minutes by public transportation, while Heroes’ Square takes 30 minutes. The Budapest Airport is a 35-minute drive away. It’s a long -- albeit historic and scenic -- walk to the nearest metro station.

The hotel offers Superior and Duplex Rooms as well as Junior Suites and Suites with great street or courtyard views. All feature earth-toned interior decor, patterned carpeting, floor-to-ceiling drapes, and faux leather headboards. Adjoining rooms are available.  Amenities include air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, safes, electric kettles, minibars, and writing desks, and irons can be requested. Flat-screen TVs are on the small side. Two-level Duplex Rooms have main-floor sitting areas and loft bedrooms. Modern bathrooms have brown tiles that look like leather, hairdryers, and shower/tub combos or separate showers and tubs; some have bidets.

Initially built as a residence, the three-story hotel’s cellar was a safe harbor for fleeing refugees during the Turkish occupation of Hungary, which lasted over 140 years. Now the cellar -- with preserved brick details -- is used as a meeting room. A free breakfast is served every morning in the stylish breakfast room, which is consistently decorated like the rest of the hotel with patterned carpeting, comfy cushioned chairs, and dark wood tables. There are also a flat-screen TV, a high chair, and books to borrow. The hotel's daily happy hour offers free mineral water, coffee, and tea to all guests. The business corner has a PC computer on an end table, several cushioned chairs in a lounge, and a self-service shoe shine machine. Free luggage storage is offered in the lobby and loaner umbrellas can be borrowed from the front desk.