Hess András tér 1, Budapest, Hungary | (888) 822-7560
Beautiful historic building with restored, original architectural features
Clean rooms with comfy beds and stocked minibars; some with views of Danube and historic buildings
Ideally located for sightseeing, and a short walk from restaurants and bars
Few minutes' walk to bus traveling directly to city center in 20 minutes
24-hour fitness center
Business center and 24 meeting rooms with space for hundreds of guests
Small souvenir retail shops within the hotel
Fees for Wi-Fi and parking
Dated decor both in rooms and common areas
Reportedly problems with room temperature, especially in summer
Hotel may be undergoing noisy construction
This mid-range Hilton property, situated inside a renovated 13th-century Dominican church in the Castle District, is very well situated for tourist activities. Just a 10 minutes' walk from the Danube on the Buda side of the city, it's 200 meters from a bus stop and across the street from Fisherman’s Bastion, though the area empties out a bit at night. The 322 guest rooms are clean and comfortable with good beds, but the decor is dated and Wi-Fi is not free. Features include a fitness center and more than 20 meeting rooms, but the hotel's biggest selling point is its stunning architecture -- on full display in a Dominican cloister and courtyard. There may be ongoing construction on the grounds.
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
Set amongst the cobblestone streets of the medieval district; renovated interiors are still somewhat dated
The hotel’s exterior has been stunningly incorporated into the Dominican church that used to stand on the grounds; in some places the old walls directly abut the '60s-era facade of the building. In a few areas inside, walls cutaway to the original stone archways; there is an interior cloister courtyard as well. While there are many striking architectural features to the building, the common areas are otherwise a slightly bizarre mix of dated decor. Hallways are somewhat dark with drop ceilings and deep red carpeting that harkens to the '80s; granite-walled elevator banks and glass chandeliers continue the retro theme. Large windows in various parts of the building reveal stunning views of the surrounding winding cobblestone streets and the immediately adjacent Fisherman’s Bastion. Because of its placement in the Castle District, the hotel tends to attract sightseeing tourists.
Location
In the Castle District, directly across a stone plaza from Fisherman’s Bastion
The property is ideally situated for sightseeing in the medieval part of the city; it is located directly across a cobblestone plaza from Fisherman’s Bastion, and sits a 10-minute walk from the Danube. Buda Castle is a 13-minute walk. There are a good number of shops, restaurants, and bars within the blocks directly around the hotel; some guests have complained that these tend to be expensive and touristy. A bus line leading across the river to the Pest side of the city sits about 500 feet from the hotel. The airport is accessible via public transportation with a single transfer (one hour and 25 minutes).
Rooms
Somewhat plain with ugly beige carpeting and wood laminate furniture
While there are a variety of room sizes and configurations, most follow the same basic decor scheme of wall-to-wall carpeting in a beige pattern, blackout curtains, and light wood laminate furniture. Bathrooms contain standard-issue shower/tub combos, hairdryers, and bathrobes, and tend to be on the small side. Larger executive suites include free breakfast and a stall shower separate from the tub. Each room is air-conditioned and has an iron and ironing board, coffee and tea facilities, a flat-screen TV, a work desk with lamp, a fully stocked minibar, and a safe. Guests have noted the Wi-Fi can be poor in the rooms -- and is not free.
Features
Gym, Hungarian souvenirs, loads of meeting space, and a bar with Parliament views
The medium-size fitness center, situated in a fishbowl-like area visible to onlookers, has several cardio and weight machines and free weights. For business guests and large parties, there are 24 meeting rooms available, including some that can fit hundreds of people. The small business center offers a couple of computers and printers, and there's a sizeable executive lounge with a coffee machine and snacks throughout the day. The retail shop in the hotel sells Hungarian foods and souvenirs. The Icon Restaurant serves a pricey -- but well-received -- buffet breakfast with waffles, as well as lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch. The Lobby Bar serves cakes and light meals with wines and cocktails, and has views of the Hungarian Parliament.
