Comfortable studios with kitchenettes, stocked minibars, and TVs
Walking distance to a mall and public transportation
Hungarian restaurant with a seasonal menu and outdoor dining patio
Breakfast buffet (included in some room rates)
Kids 8 or younger stay free and get free breakfast
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Bike rentals and parking for a fee
Luggage room available
Pet-friendly (for a fee)
Outside the city center
Dated decor and some tube-style TVs
Bed linens are changed every four days
Some fees for air-conditioning
Reports of slow Wi-Fi
Less than a 10-minute walk
from the MOM shopping center, Hotel Charles is a mid-range hotel with a
homey and inviting atmosphere. The
70 studio-like rooms decked out with kitchenettes with minibars are the main attraction here, though some rooms have dated furniture, like tube-style TVs. There’s a good Hungarian restaurant
on-site with outdoor seating and a breakfast buffet that can be included in
room rates. Though rates are low, expect extra fees for parking, bike rentals, and bringing pets. Travelers might also want to check out Best
Western Hotel Hungaria, which offers an on-site spa with a hot tub, multiple dining
options, and proximity to a train station for similar rates.
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
Homey and budget-friendly hotel that attracts couples
The exterior of the Hotel Charles is stark and hasn't been changed since the '70s, which is
why management has plans to renovate the exterior and interior hallways in 2017. But the lobby is cozy with wood floors and patterned maroon rugs, a few cream
loveseats, and a wood reception desk. Umbrellas are available next to the front door, and there's a shelf of free brochures. Janos Restaurant is accessible through the lobby, and
it has a slightly elegant vibe if one looks past the dated wooden chairs
with off-red padding and focuses on the wood floors, exposed brick walls, and hanging
lamps. The charming outdoor terrace has wooden tables and woven chairs, plus
plaid blankets for patrons to use in chilly weather. Guests are mostly
couples attracted to the spacious studio rooms and budget-friendly price. Kids under the age of 8 stay and eat breakfast for free.
Location
Outside the city center, but within walking distance to a mall and public transport
Hotel Charles is set next to a train line in a
neighborhood that’s a mix of residential homes and businesses. There are not many
restaurants on surrounding streets and most attractions take 25 minutes or more to reach on foot. For instance, Charles Bridge is a 25-minute walk and Buda
Castle takes 30 minutes. The Citadella is a 22-minute walk away. For travelers who
prefer public transport, there’s a bus stop right outside the hotel. MOM Park
shopping center is just a 10-minute walk away. It’s a 27-minute drive to
Budapest Airport. Parking is available at the hotel for a fee.
Rooms
Homey rooms with kitchenettes, TVs, and free Wi-Fi
All rooms here are studio-style, with free Wi-Fi and kitchenettes outfitted with sinks, minibars, kettles, and two-burner stove tops; Suites have ovens as well. Rooms have a homey (some
are verging on dated) vibe with a color palette of browns and tans. They're decorated with cream
walls, brown carpet, wooden furniture, and patterned bedspreads. Wood paneling
covers the bottom half of the walls of some rooms, and Suites have wood floors
partially covered by large maroon area rugs. Though the Standard Studios were refurbished in 2013, there’s
still some dated aspects such as old tube-style
TVs and worn furniture.Deluxe Studios have air-conditioning, however, not all Standard
Studios come with it, and those that do require a fee to use. Light gray tiled bathrooms are simple and include toiletries, hairdryers, and shower/tub combos or showers. Note that the
showers are small and there’s little counter space around the sinks. Towels are replaced on request during daily housekeeping rounds, but bed linens are only changed every four days. Street-facing rooms
are noisier than rooms located on the back side of the building. Smoking rooms are available.
Features
Restaurant, breakfast, and bikes to rent
Hotel Charles is sparse in terms of amenities. Still,
it’s well established on the dining front with an on-site Hungarian restaurant,
Janos, which has a seasonal menu and an outdoor patio with seating. It serves a
breakfast buffet in the morning that’s included in some room rates. There’s a
bike rental (for a fee) and a luggage room for guests with late departures or
who arrive earlier than check-in. There are few business amenities beyond free
Wi-Fi (which is reportedly spotty); printing, faxing, or
copying services by the front desk incurs fees. It also costs extra to bring pets or to
park your car on-site.
