Korona Panzio

With its sloping roof, natural stone facade, and carved-wood balconies lined with colorful flowers, the Kronona Panzio wouldn't look too out of place in the Swiss Alps. The alpine ambience however, doesn't extend to the interiors, where swaths of wood-veneer paneling, textured walls, and faux-leather seating all add up to an underwhelming lobby. While generally clean, some hallways show signs of wear, with scuffed woodwork and marked carpets that could use a little more in the way of maintenance. The hotel does have a large, secluded, albeit slightly unkempt, garden where guests can unwind on loungers behind tall hedges to the chirping of birdlife. Rooms are spread between the two sections of the hotel, which comprises the main reception block and the restaurant (neither have an elevator). Clientele is mainly couples, looking for a budget-friendly place to stay away from the bustle, although it also attracts occasional families with children.

The hotel is located in the quiet residential area of Sasad, on the outskirts of the Buda side of the city. The neighborhood main consists of private houses with large leafy gardens and big trees, with few shops and little in the way of dining or tourist attractions within walking distance. There is, however, a bus stop outside the hotel that connects (with one transfer) to the city center in around 20 minutes -- or it's 10 to 15 minutes away by cab. Farkasret Park and its cemetery -- one of country's largest graveyards where several famous Hungarians are buried -- is about a 10-minute drive. Budapest Airport, located on the other side of the capital, is a 30- to 40- minute from the hotel.

Korona Panzio's 23 rooms and two apartments are simply styled in wood veneer, with patterned carpets and built-in furniture. While well-maintained, rooms are dated and show some signs of wear. Amenities include TVs -- tube-style or flat-screens -- with a few English-language channels, mini-fridges, and free Wi-Fi, but the signal can be shaky, depending on the room. Apartments have separate living rooms and cooking facilities. Bathrooms step-in showers, heated towel racks, and basic toiletries, though some had spots of mold when we visited, and hairdryers are not provided. Some rooms open to balconies with views over the city, while others overlook the garden.

A decent buffet breakfast of hot and cold items, such as French toast, scrambled eggs, fruit, cereals, and yogurt, is included in the room rate and is served in the pleasant Korona Restaurant with booth seating. The restaurant is also open for lunch and dinner serving a menu of international favorites and traditional Hungarian specialties. Those staying in the reception building have to walk a minute along the road for breakfast. The reception building, however, has a bar and soft seating area with a large flat-screen TV. Free parking is available on-site, and Wi-Fi is free throughout.