Hotel Erzsebet City Center

The entrance of the 19th-century Hotel Erzsebet City Center sits on a narrow street with old-fashioned wooden framed windows on the ground floor of the eight-story building. Interior decor is a flashback from 1985, when the hotel was last fully renovated (to be fair, partial renovations were done in 2012, but the dated look and feel remains). There are two elevators, and hallways are designed in light wooden accents and green-striped or faded-brown patterned carpeting. Checkered tiled floors line the lobby, which features comfy leather sofas and wooden wall paneling. This mid-range hotel, under the Danubius Hotel brand, attracts Hungarian business travelers and budget-minded tourists thanks to its location near the popular Vaci utca shopping street and reasonable room rates.

The hotel is in a busy part of inner Budapest, a short walk to the banks of the Danube River, Central Market Hall, and Vaci utca. There are shops, restaurants, bars, and cafes on the same block as the hotel. The Dohany Street Synagogue is a 10-minute walk away and Gellert Spa takes 15 minutes to reach on foot. The Hungarian State Opera House is a 10-minute metro ride, with the Ferenciek tere Metro stop two blocks away. St. Stephen's Basilica is a 15-minute walk away, while Buda Castle is a 20-minute ride on public transportation. Matthias Church takes 15 minutes by bus while Gul Baba’s Tomb takes around 25 minutes. It's half an hour by car to the Budapest Airport. 

The Standard Twin and Standard Rooms offered at the Erzsebet are simple and traditional. with classic light-wood furniture, green carpeting, green patterned bedspreads, and windows with rooftop or street views. Furnishings, however, are dated -- especially the tube TVs. Some top-floor rooms have views out all the way to Gellert Hill. Features common to all rooms include writing desks, air-conditioning, minibars, and free Wi-Fi, but rooms lack kettles. Adjoining and pet-friendly rooms are offered. Small, neutral-tiled bathrooms have heaters, hairdryers, wall-mounted toiletries, and narrow walk-in showers. Rooms can sometimes be noisy due to loud revelers on the nearby streets and past guests have reported difficulty in regulating room temperature.

Two traditionally designed meeting rooms -- with 19th-century doors and light fixtures -- are offered at the hotel, fitting between 10 to 100 people. The rooms can connect, if needed, and flip charts and audiovisual equipment are available on request. There's also an Internet corner and Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel. Other features include souvenir stands in the lobby with jewelry and accessories for sale and the front desk offers safe-deposit boxes and concierge services.

Babuska, the stylish Russian restaurant and bar on-site, is decorated in Russian doll designs, including wall decor and lamps hanging above contemporary wooden tables. There’s a buffet that serves traditional Russian dishes including borshch and blinchiki and a bar with stylish leather stools.