Mirage Medic Hotel

Built in the late-19th-century, the hotel building is somewhat narrow, and has beautiful white columns and ornate detailing around its front windows. In the lobby, tall ceilings and parquet wood floors are handsomely offset by cream-and-white striped wallpaper, white semicircular ottomans, reproductions of historic oil paintings, and a fireplace. A set of glass partitions divides a bank of rooms from the front entry; the rest are placed off a hallway surrounding a glass and chrome elevator shaft. The restaurant, which serves a free buffet-style breakfast, is a pleasant space with beige, black, and red plaid carpeting, soft overhead lighting, and wood tables and chairs with plush beige cushions; framed black and white photographs of Budapest line the walls. Because of its proximity to diplomatic offices, the hotel attracts a mix of tourists and business people.

Mirage Medic Hotel is just across a busy street from Heroes' Square, and just over a block from City Park; both can be reached in about three to seven minutes on foot. Both the square and park are 19th-century vintage, and the latter was established as show grounds for Budapest’s World’s Exposition. Municipal buildings and embassies populate the streets immediately surrounding the hotel; there is the occasional restaurant, but for a real selection, guests can walk one block northwest to the subway at Hosok tere and take it a handful of stops (10 minutes) to St. Stephen’s Basilica and the lively pedestrian neighborhood right around it.

The decor is on the “modern business” end of things; the aesthetic here is at once elegant and slightly sparse. Plaid floor coverings contrast handsomely with wood-laminate paneling throughout, including around the wall-mounted flat-screen TVs; tufted headboards and jewel-toned chenille throws give a contemporary feel. The modern bathrooms have walk-in showers with rain showerhead fixtures and glass doors, as well as heated towel racks, and striped wall tiles. Each room has a safe, a hairdryer, coffee and tea facilities, a fully stocked minibar, a make-up mirror, and a small work desk. Some rooms have balconies.

Much happens around the small lobby, which hosts a minibar serving cocktails, tea, coffee, and a selection of pastries near the 24-hour reception desk. This lobby area leads into a breakfast room furnished with a (free) buffet spread, as well as into a small cafe that serves drinks and light bistro fare from spring through fall, and has a terrace with views of Heroes' Square. There is a computer in the lobby for guest use, and business meeting space with audio-visual equipment and space for up to 40 people.