Danubius Hotel Helia

The hotel, which turned 25-years-old in 2016, is a real locus of activity and a place that locals flock to regularly as a leisure, fitness, and health center. Built in the early '90s, the hotel exterior espouses a post-industrial feel in its blocky, concrete architecture; the common spaces are slightly less clinical, with a few plants here and there to offset the severity of drop ceilings and long stretches of beige floor tile or brown carpeting. Likewise, the restaurant is decorated with wood planters and some wood flooring, as well as dated, circular-patterned carpeting, and red fabric chairs illuminated by dim overhead lighting in the white tile ceiling. The pools, however, are in a lovely and bright space with white and blue tiling, bright blue ceilings and lounge chairs, and lots of windows. Rotating exhibits of local artwork, as well as occasional live music lend warmth and character, as well. 

The area directly around the complex is for the most part a mix of mid-rise apartment buildings and relatively quiet streets; tree-lined walking paths frame the property. The hotel sits in the 13th district of Budapest, which is favored by expats and about a half-hour from the city center via public transportation, accessed at a station just a couple of blocks away. Heroes' Square is about 30 minutes east on foot, while the Parliament Building is a half-hour walk south. The airport is a 35- to 40-minute drive, or about one-hour-and-20-minutes by public transportation.

Wall-to-wall brown carpeting, slightly gloomy striped bedspreads, and wood laminate desks and doors do little to brighten up these small rooms. Generally guests describe the beds as comfortable and the rooms as clean, though there have been a few complaints about grubby carpeting and dinged-up furniture, owing more to age and wear-and-tear than superficial cleanliness issues. All rooms have stocked minibars, flat-screen TVs, safes, bathrobes, choice of pillows, and hairdryers. Bathrooms are quite small, and have shower/tub combos with little space between tub and toilet. Larger rooms have separate living areas with couches and chairs. An apartment with private sauna is available. 

The restaurant resembles a cafeteria in layout, if slightly more upscale; meals are served buffet-style or a la carte, though some guests have found little difference between the two. There is a two-story linoleum-lined fitness center with a fairly extensive array of weight machines and free weights, and a separate room for exercise classes. The pools are housed in a multi-part spa complex, and include waters of different temperatures and mineral compositions. There are also saunas, a solarium, plenty of lounge chairs, a hot tub, and a variety of body services including massage and osteopathy. There are retail shops in the building that include souvenirs as well as a beauty salon. Wi-Fi is free.