Divided by the fast-flowing waters of the Danube River and dotted with historic sites, Budapest is one of Europe’s most remarkable capital cities. Architecturally astounding, Budapest revels in its unique clash of Austro-Hungarian palaces and communist-era buildings.
Hungary’s capital is a city of contrasts, offering travelers two cities for the price of one. Split in half by the River Danube, the two sides of the river were independent cities for centuries. On the western bank, Buda Hill’s domineering castle and elegant royal palaces tower over the flat but ever-expanding streets of Pest.
Buda and Pest eventually joined forces in 1873 to form the Hungarian capital known today as Budapest. But the two sides of the Danube are still very, very different places to visit. Both sides of the city offer unique history, fascinating culture, great food, and even better nightlife!
It won’t take long for you to fall for the city’s charms and contrasts. You can marvel at the view from Fisherman’s Bastion after hiking up the hill to Buda Castle.
Then uncover Hungary’s dark communist past with a trip to the House of Terror, or spend hours relaxing in Budapest’s famous thermal baths. There really is a lot to do in this diverse destination.
Once you’ve seen the top sights that Budapest has to offer, explore the city’s enormous covered markets, where hearty Hungarian dishes like langosh and goulash are served with plenty of paprika. When the sun sets, the city doesn’t sleep! As darkness falls, it’s time to visit Budapest’s iconic Ruin Bars or take a nighttime stroll along the Danube.
There are some great places to stay in Budapest, too, from luxurious hotels in 19th-century palaces to artistically designed boutique hotels hidden downtown. So many, in fact, that you might have a hard time choosing the perfect one. So we’ve created a list of the 12 best hotels in Budapest to help you plan your next stay in the Hungarian capital.
Don’t forget to check out our web story: 12 Beautiful Boutique Hotels in Budapest
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Where to stay in Budapest
The Danube continues to divide Budapest today, and this age-old split is reflected in the accommodation options in the Hungarian capital. On the west side of the river, you have Buda Hill, where Budapest’s most historic sites and attractions are found. For travelers, though, the Buda side of the city is predominantly for sightseeing, as there are few hotels to be found among the palaces and castles.
The best hotels in Budapest are mostly located on the Pest side of the river, where you’ll also find the city’s busiest shopping streets, quirkiest restaurants, and trendiest bars. You’ll find a range of modern, boutique, and historic hotels in Pest.
Conveniently, the Pest side of the river is remarkably flat compared to Buda. A fact which you’ll seriously appreciate when you’re returning to your hotel after a long day of exploring!
If you stay close to the river – on either the Buda or Pest side of the city – you’ll be within walking distance of the best attractions. Stay anywhere in downtown Pest, and you’ll still easily be able to reach the best sights in the city using the famous yellow trams or the Budapest Metro (which happens to be the second-oldest underground railway in the world!).
The 12 Best Boutique Hotels in Budapest
1. Corinthia Hotel
If you’re looking to stay in one of the grandest hotels in Budapest, then check into a palatial room in the Corinthia Hotel. Dating all the way back to 1896, Corinthia Hotel was the meeting place for the Hungarian aristocracy in the late 19th century, so you know it’s something special!
Centrally located just a short stroll from Andrassy Avenue, Corinthia Hotel is still the place to stay in Budapest. The grand, renaissance-style facade hides an awe-inducing entranceway, with enough glamor to have inspired the setting for the Wes Anderson film The Grand Budapest Hotel.
Classic Superior Rooms at the Corinthia Hotel are modern and luxurious. If you’re planning on an extended stay in Budapest, the fully equipped Deluxe Residence is complete with all the furnishings needed to make the Corinthia Hotel your luxe home away from home.
Enjoy the buzzing atmosphere of the Atrium, where business meetings take place over breakfast and coffee, head to the Rickshaw restaurant for a taste of Asia, or book a table at Caviar and Bull for a fine dining experience like no other.
The most relaxed experience you can enjoy here is a session at the Royal Spa. The Royal Spa predates the hotel itself and was built in a picture-perfect art deco style in 1886. Sit back, relax, and experience Budapest’s famed thermal waters.
2. Kempinski Hotel Corvinus
The Kempinski Hotel Corvinus is a 5-star luxury hotel that’s perfect for gourmet-loving foodies. Featuring a one-of-a-kind “Gastronomic Quarter,” you’ll never go hungry at this iconic Budapest hotel.
Start the day at Es Bisztro, where a homemade breakfast is served with fresh herbs picked from the hotel’s very own rooftop garden. Es Deli serves up snacks, sandwiches, and fresh coffee all day long, while the Living Room presents a decadent afternoon tea of cake and Champagne. You can enjoy drinks and cocktails at Blue Fox The Bar before dining on Japanese-Hungarian fusion fare at the world-renowned Nobu Restaurant.
Rooms at the Kempinski Hotel Corvinus are spacious, beautifully carpeted, and complete with sweeping views over central Budapest. The hotel features a fitness center, swimming pool, and luxury spa facilities where you can unwind with a massage or a sauna session. With an unbeatable location between Deak Ferenc Square and Vorosmarty Square, you’re only a short walk away from the beautiful banks of the Danube.
3. Mystery Hotel Budapest
The Mystery Hotel is one of the most unique hotels in Budapest. The hotel itself is one of the newest 5-star hotels in the Hungarian capital, but the quirky yet luxurious rooms are located within the historic walls of a 19th-century freemason’s palace.
Mystery Hotel recently opened in 2019, but the chic rooms and decor exude a sense of intrigue as the modern styles contrast with the building’s historical past. You can stay in one of the 82 lavish rooms that feature modern takes on classic Greek designs and revamped reproductions of iconic paintings such as the Mona Lisa.
The best rooms have balconies overlooking the central courtyard below. In the palm tree-studded courtyard, you’ll find the Secret Garden Day Spa, complete with whirlpools, saunas, and steam rooms.
For exquisite views of Budapest, head up to the rooftop terrace, where you can enjoy cocktails, salads, mezze platters, and sandwiches at The Sky Garden. For dinner, you can make reservations at the outstanding Great Hall Restaurant and Lounge. The stunning restaurant is located in what was once a secret Freemason’s meeting room!
Don’t worry about getting lost when you’re staying at the Mystery Hotel because this unique former freemason’s palace is located right next to the bustling Nyugati Railway Station in the heart of downtown Budapest.
4. Parisi Udvar Hotel
The Parisi Udvar Hotel is easily one of the best hotels in Budapest. Part of Hyatt’s luxurious Unbound Collection, this 5-star hotel has all of the service and standards you’d expect of a high-end international chain while exuding the character and charm of a boutique hotel.
A five-minute walk from Elisabeth Bridge and the Danube River, in the heart of Downtown Budapest, the Parisi Udvar Hotel is located in a repurposed and refurbished Parisian-style shopping arcade, dating back to the 19th century. The lobby is one of the grandest in Budapest, with a huge golden-rimmed skylight in the magnificent entryway of the hotel.
The sleek rooms boast minimalist colors and a unique combination of Moorish and Gothic styles fused together to create elegant surroundings. You can relax after a day of sightseeing at the on-site spa or work up a sweat before dinner at the hotel’s fitness center.
Make sure you book a table at the Parisi Passage Cafe and Brasserie, where you can dine on French classics with a Hungarian twist in the unique locale of an old shopping arcade-turned the hotel’s main passageway.
5. Queen’s Court Hotel and Residence
Budapest is a city with a big spa culture. If you’re here to relax in thermal waters or to enjoy Hungarian massages, then one of the best hotels you can stay at is the Queen’s Court Hotel and Residence.
This 5-star hotel is the perfect pick for retro-spa lovers. While the Queen’s Court Hotel and Residence might be one of the newest luxury offerings in Budapest, the swimming pool and spa were designed to emulate historic neoclassical styles.
The hotel has suites only, with standard, superior, deluxe, and two-bedroom suites, all featuring kitchenettes and in-room dining facilities to make your stay in Budapest as homey as possible. You won’t want to cook every night when you’re on vacation, though, so make sure to book a table at the hotel’s Chess Restaurant, where Hungarian classics are fused with Asian-inspired dishes.
The hotel is centrally located on Dobu Street, in downtown Budapest, so you’ll be a 10-minute walk from Budapest’s famous Andrassy Avenue and a 30-minute stroll from the Danube.
6. Stories Boutique Hotel
Stories Boutique Hotel is hands down one of the coolest hotels in Budapest. With a fantastic location on Kiraly Street, this hotel is right in the heart of the Budapest action. You’re just one block from the famed Andrassy Avenue and a short stroll from the yellow trams at Deak Ferenc Square.
With so many cool amenities, it’s possible that you’ll never want to leave the hotel once you’ve checked in! The rooms here are not only some of the most colorful and uniquely designed in Budapest, but they are some of the most spacious.
The grand suites at Stories Boutique Hotel are multi-tiered, offering separate living, dining, and sleeping areas across two or three different floors. The best room of the bunch is the three-floor Presidential Suite, which comes with two bedrooms, a private bar, and best of all, a sauna and a Jacuzzi!
You’ll love taking advantage of all that space by booking one of the hotel’s signature local experiences. The hotel can arrange in-room cocktail mixing workshops, private dining experiences featuring Hungarian fusion food, personal training sessions with local fitness instructors, or personalized morning yoga sessions.
But the most unique option of them all is the chance to book a local tattoo artist. It’s a truly unforgettable way to cap off your trip to Budapest!
7. Noble Boutique Hotel
The Noble Boutique Hotel is the perfect option for couples or solo travelers looking to get away from it all. This 4-star boutique hotel is adults-only, so expect a more refined, mature, and relaxing atmosphere.
The rooms at the Noble Boutique Hotel are designed to emulate the 19th-century history of Budapest – one of the city’s great golden eras. But while the rooms pay homage to the past, you’ll love all of the modern amenities and industrial-chic décor. Expect plush beds with oversized headboards, brass retro lamps and decor, and polished concrete walls.
Deep blues contrast with light grays throughout the hotel, including the lobby and bar area, where you can relax in comfort as you make your way through the vast drink list. If you want a nightcap, you can choose from cognac, calvados, whiskey, wine, beer, and the Hungarian favorite, pálinka.
The Noble Boutique Hotel has one of the best locations on the Pest side of the river. You’re just a five-minute walk from the banks of the Danube River. Just cross the bridge, and you’re in Buda, where you can explore all of the area’s castles and royal palaces.
8. Aria Hotel Budapest
The Aria Hotel Budapest is one of the most unique boutique hotels in Budapest… because this is where music meets art! This luxury boutique hotel has a musical theme. As you walk through the grand entrance, you’ll hear Bach or Mozart playing in the lobby as you follow the whimsical piano key artwork on the floor to the check-in desk.
The luxurious rooms at the Aria Hotel are split into four distinct wings, each of which has its own intricately designed musical theme. You can stay in the Classical Wing, where the great European composers of old inspire rooms. Choose the Opera Wing, where you can marvel at the Venetian chandeliers hanging from the ceiling and sip your morning coffee on your private terrace.
If you opt for the Jazz Wing, you’ll be transported to 1920s America by the art nouveau furnishings. While rooms in the Contemporary Wing boast lively colors and modern art, bringing pop music to life!
Start your day in the Music Garden, where you’ll be greeted with a complimentary buffet breakfast of smoked salmon, Hungarian ham, pastries, bread, cereals, and made-to-order egg dishes. Return to the Music Garden in the afternoon, and you can listen to classical music while socializing with fellow guests over complimentary wine and cheese.
The hotel’s Liszt Restaurant serves up local Hungarian delicacies, such as smoked trout, wild boar stew, and goose pot roast. For epic city views, book a rooftop table at the High Note Sky Bar, where cocktails flow late into the evening!
9. Hotel New York Palace
The Hotel New York Palace is undoubtedly one of the best hotels in Budapest. The luxury, 5-star hotel is housed in a beautifully refurbished 19th-century palace. You’ll love the hotel’s intricately carved marble facade, beautiful frescoes, and sparkling chandeliers.
Be sure to fill up on the lavish continental breakfast in the Deepwater Room before heading out for the day. For an upscale dinner, head over to Salon Restaurant, where you can enjoy a gourmet 7-course tasting menu prepared by head chef Andras Wolf.
During the day, you can grab a cup of coffee or a gourmet Hungarian meal at New York Café, which is a super popular meeting place for Hungarian socialites and elites. Known as the “most beautiful café in the world,” you’ll be stunned by 19th-century baroque architecture and decor! If you want to pamper yourself for the rest of the afternoon, spend a few hours relaxing in the sauna, steam room, or “relaxation pool.”
After a few signature cocktails at the Nyugat Bar, you’ll love unwinding in the impeccably decorated rooms. You can slip on your plush bathrobe, get cozy on the ultra-comfy bed, and have a relaxing movie night with the smart TV. The pillow menu, designer toiletries, and antique décor are nice extra features.
10. Budapest Marriott Hotel
The Budapest Marriott Hotel is the only hotel in Budapest where every single room has a spectacular view of the Danube. If sweeping views of one of Europe’s most beautiful riverside settings doesn’t cut it, we honestly don’t know what will!
This modern, 5-star hotel has the best riverside location in Budapest, and you can easily spend hours watching the Danube flow below from the comfort of the spacious hotel rooms. The Marriott’s rooms are designed to make the most of the river views, with long chaise lounges set against tall picture windows.
You’ll also love waking up to wonderful views from the ultra-comfy king-sized bed. To take full advantage of the hotel’s coveted location, it’s well worth splurging on a room with a private terrace or balcony.
The seemingly unending views of Budapest continue at the Liz and Chain Sky Lounge, where you can sip specialty gin and juice cocktails. Liz and Chain also serves snacks and pizzas alongside cocktails and beers. For a more substantial dining experience, you’ll definitely want to book a table at DNB Budapest.
DNB Budapest features a modern, open-plan restaurant. You can watch the chefs preparing orders in the kitchen or sit outside on the terrace and watch the world go by. DNB Budapest specializes in Hungarian classics, including smoked sturgeon and pickled turnips, alongside an extensive choice of international wines.
11. Art’otel Budapest
Cross over the river to the Buda side of the Danube, and you’ll find one of the best boutique hotels in Budapest. This artistically minded hotel is located on the banks of the River Danube, with an excellent location in the shadow of Buda Castle, right below the iconic Fisherman’s Bastion.
This hotel is the perfect pick for art lovers. You’ll find over 600 different works of art located in the lobby, corridors, restaurants, and rooms. All of the paintings, sculptures, and installations were created by US artist Donald Sultan. The artist specializes in contemporary artworks made from industrial materials.
In keeping with the contemporary aesthetic, rooms are wonderfully modern and minimalist, with the best offering views of either Buda Castle or the Danube. You can make the most of the excellent in-room dining services during your stay, or you can enjoy equally spectacular views from the art’bistrobar, where you’ll look out across to the Hungarian Parliament.
The hotel takes pride in its artistic side. During your stay at Art’otel Budapest, you can join short tours of the premises to learn more about the different artworks on display.
12. Bohem Art Hotel
Bohem Art Hotel is the trendiest hotel in downtown Budapest. A different Hungarian artist designed each of the boutique rooms. Few other hotels in the city have as much character and color as the Bohem Art Hotel!
Each room has its own style and theme, with doubles, twins, triples, and quadruples available for solo travelers, couples, friends, and families. There’s even a Sweetheart Room if you’re planning a romantic getaway in Budapest.
You’ll find artwork throughout the hotel, as well as a stylish bar and dining room. Because every room is so unique, this is one hotel that you’ll want to return to trip after trip, if only to stay in a new and unique room!
The hotel is conveniently located just a short stroll from the Danube. Plus, the surrounding streets are packed with restaurants and bars to suit every taste. Cross over the nearby Liberty Bridge, and you’ll find yourself at the base of Buda Hill, where some of the city’s most historic attractions are situated.
That completes our list of the 12 best Budapest hotels! Did we miss any cool boutique hotels in Budapest? Comment below so we can add them to the list!
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Frequently Asked Questions
The Kempinski Hotel Corvinus is a 5-star luxury hotel that’s perfect for gourmet-loving foodies. Featuring a one-of-a-kind “Gastronomic Quarter,” you’ll never go hungry at this iconic Budapest hotel. Start the day at Es Bisztro, where a homemade breakfast is served with fresh herbs picked from the hotel’s very own rooftop garden. Es Deli serves up snacks, sandwiches, and fresh coffee all day long, while the Living Room presents a decadent afternoon tea of cake and Champagne. You can enjoy drinks and cocktails at Blue Fox The Bar before dining on Japanese-Hungarian fusion fare at the world-renowned Nobu Restaurant.
The Parisi Udvar Hotel is easily one of the best hotels in Budapest. Part of Hyatt’s luxurious Unbound Collection, this 5-star hotel has all of the service and standards you’d expect of a high-end international chain while exuding the character and charm of a boutique hotel.
Budapest is a city with a big spa culture. If you’re here to relax in thermal waters or to enjoy Hungarian massages, then one of the best hotels you can stay at is the Queen’s Court Hotel and Residence. This 5-star hotel is the perfect pick for retro-spa lovers. While the Queen’s Court Hotel and Residence might be one of the newest luxury offerings in Budapest, the swimming pool and spa were designed to emulate historic neoclassical styles.
The Aria Hotel Budapest is one of the most unique boutique hotels in Budapest… because this is where music meets art! This luxury boutique hotel has a musical theme. As you walk through the grand entrance, you’ll hear Bach or Mozart playing in the lobby as you follow the whimsical piano key artwork on the floor to the check-in desk.
The Budapest Marriott Hotel is the only hotel in Budapest where every single room has a spectacular view of the Danube. If sweeping views of one of Europe’s most beautiful riverside settings doesn’t cut it, we honestly don’t know what will! The seemingly unending views of Budapest continue at the Liz and Chain Sky Lounge, where you can sip specialty gin and juice cocktails.
