Expert reviews
“Located in the Jewish Quarter, in its previous life the Zara was an elegant bathhouse. The 272-room hotel has art deco touches throughout, and offers great amenities for business travelers as well as for tourists.”
“With 272 large and beautifully furnished rooms and a huge atrium lobby retaining some of the original 19th-century building’s features, the major draw here is the wellness centre on the top floor and the panoramic garden with swimming pool.”
What guests liked
- Friendly staff
- Swimming pool
- Great breakfast
- Comfortable beds
- Excellent Wifi
- Top location
All you need to know
Removed from a protected Nouveau building in 2010, the superior 4-star Continental Hotel of Hungary offers guests a truly unique experience. This luxurious hotel was made for guests to leave stress behind and relax away from the noise of the city. When and if guests decide to venture out, there are lovely attractions such as the Hungarian National Museum, Hungarian State Opera House, St. Stephen’s Basilica and Szechenyi Chain Bridge nearby.
Guest can choose from standard, executive and deluxe suites, which all reflect an art deco style that combines fine elegance and serene harmony with modern conveniences. They were constructed and decorated to cater to business and leisure travelers. Each room category comes with free WiFi, soundproof windows and air conditioning along with an en suite bathroom with free toiletries. There is also a minibar, coffee and tea making appliances and a laptop-sized safe.
The hotel is home to the exceptional Araz Restaurant which offers a wide selection of dishes combined with fashionable international delicacies. Friday nights get even more spectacular as guests can enjoy the Hungarian night program with a Hungarian buffet selection, folk music and a music show. The Gallery Cafe with its corporate lounge is ideally located near the restored main entrance and feeds the needs of more business-oriented guests.
Hotel Details
— 272 rooms
— Open in 2010
— Art deco style
Hotel Features
— Free WiFi
— Restaurant
— Express check in and check out
— 24-hour front desk
— Rooftop terrace
— Coffee Areas
— Elevator/ lift
— Heated indoor pool
— Valet parking
— Daily housekeeping
— Air conditioning
— Buffet breakfast available
— Tours and tickets assistance available
Additional Info
— Check in begins at 2:00 PM
— Check out ends at 12:00 PM
— Minimum check in age is 16 years old
Address
Budapest, Dohány u. 42, 1074 Hungary.
Hotel deals & lowest price guarantee
We partner with Booking.com and Agoda. Both booking websites offer the lowest price guarantee so you can be certain you will always get the best deal for this hotel. If you have seen a better price elsewhere, all you need to do is contact the booking website and they will refund you the difference immediately. You can price match right up until the day before check-in.
Location
Recent guest reviews
8 January 2026
Exceptional
Great location.
7 January 2026
Superb hotel!
Extra classy hotel, good location, very clean, excellent breakfast, friendly and helpful staff!
We visited during winter and the bathroom hot water pressure was a bit low, but it wasn't a big problem!
6 January 2026
Very good
Lovely and clean hotel in a beautiful building. Perfect location, most places are walkable and ubers are very easy to get picked up at outside front door. Comfy and clean rooms.
Although we really did enjoy our stay there was just a few minor things. Air con in room did not work and would not go below 26 degrees, although we did go in winter the room was still very hot and we had to sleep with window open which made it very noisy (as close to nightlife & lots of police sirens). We did say to reception but it only went down to 24 degrees which was still hot. Spa was lovely however it said the temperature of pool was 30 degrees however was freezing!
5 January 2026
Great stay , very clean no problems at all
Very good and tidy , very clean
4 January 2026
Great hotel, spa area could have been better
The hotel was elegant and classy, the rooms were comfortable and clean, the breakfast was tasty and had a huge variety of choices. All the amenities in hotel, except for the spa, were perfect.
The spa area was too small and poorly structured. A Finnish sauna could not accommodate more than 4 people and there was no "cooling spot" after the sauna - only the pre-heated pool which was too small.
3 January 2026
Exceptional
Very friendly staff at the front desk, very supportive! Thank you
2 January 2026
Very enjoyable
Everything
Nothing
30 December 2025
Fabulous
Great location and history of the hotel and local. All staff are lovley .
Nothing
29 December 2025
We had the best time in the hotel wish we could have stayed longer
The staff and location was excellent. It is a beautiful hotel
Nothing it was perfect
29 December 2025
Very good
They were attentive to every inquiry, request, and requirement, to our complete satisfaction.
Even when I required more from the team than what is customary, they ensured that everything necessary was done to our satisfaction.
29 December 2025
Very good
there hot chocholate was perfect, and the guy there was very kind.
28 December 2025
Good stay I can say
Location is perfect. Very clean and cozy atmosphere. Friendly staff.
We have a problem with very noisy air conditioning - wasn't great to sleep and if low the fan speed than is cold so we don't have big choice. The other thing is the swimming pool water - I was expecting hot mineral water but it wasn't. Very disappointed about it because Budapest is famous with thermal mineral water.
28 December 2025
Exceptional
Amazing hotel. Beautiful design. Comfy and clean rooms. Breakfast was superb. Service was polite and helpful. Could easily be a 5 star hotel.
28 December 2025
A great place to stay!
Very close to the city center
27 December 2025
Exceptional
The beds were too comfortable it was hard to get up to get to see the city. 😉
26 December 2025
Fantastic city break hotel
The hotel was excellent, great location, super team and very good facilities.
24 December 2025
Good stay, perfect position for the night
Clean and curated
Breakfast, fiew sweet food
23 December 2025
We were with two children. We really liked the apartment and the wonderful hostess. The transfer from the airport to Rom
We loved absolutely everything. The location and the responsive hostess. The apartment had absolutely everything we needed. The location is perfect - close to all the main attractions. Everything is within walking distance.
Nothing
23 December 2025
Excellent location , great staff
Well maintained property, friendly staff. Location is very close to several types of transportation. Breakfast was awesome as well.
23 December 2025
Great hotel, perfect location
We had a great stay at the continental hotel. The hotel staff were all lovely and the beds were super soft and comfy. The location is great and you can easily walk to all the main sights as well as lots of restaurants and bars nearby.
The spa upstairs was quite small but was nice to relax in the morning up there.
22 December 2025
Clean and nice hotel with friendly staff, comfortable rooms, convenient garage, great location and breakfast with a wide
The hotel is clean and nice looking. The staff is friendly and helpful. There is a garage right under the hotel, which is very convenient. The location is great, close to shops and restaurants. The rooms are comfortable and everything you need is there and the breakfast offers a wide variety. I really recommend this hotel!
18 December 2025
חוויה מושלמת . - Great experience
Excellent hotel We stayed there for 5 nights, a great hotel, the staff is amazing, efficient and helpful. Varied and delicious breakfast. We ate both in the gallery and in the hotel restaurant, very high quality. We loved everything about this hotel, perfect for a couple to enjoy the city, including a nice spa, heated pool, nice design, everything is good. and Location near the metro is really convenient
18 December 2025
Good location
Reception and front of house staff are very helpful. Location is good for the Synagogue and the New York Café.
The breakfast is just ok, nothing special. Pastries were hard and dry. Indoor swimming pool is small.
15 December 2025
Exceptional
Absolutely beautiful hotel, with excellent staff, everything is spotless and fresh, not the best breakfast if im being honest, very packed with guests , we actually went out for breakfast on two of the mornings despite having breakfast included.
14 December 2025
Great stay. Highly recommend
Location, staff very welcoming,
Small bathroom
14 December 2025
Overall, our accommodation was comfortable. The hotel lobby was eye-catching, and the room was standard but very clean.
Location, cleanness
Breakfast
12 December 2025
I loved it ! Just talk to your service manager
Location , spa. Clean , modern , bar
Service - no towels , less soap
11 December 2025
Exceptional
Breakfast was quite good.
It would be great if more leafy vegetables like lettuce were available.
11 December 2025
שלמות של מלון
The hotel is perfect, we loved the staff's service and kindness, the breakfast was wonderful, and the cleanliness was perfect.
The mattresses are a bit sag, the towels are not soft.
10 December 2025
Great stay would recommend
Great location and service
9 December 2025
Fabulous
Location , service, price
Bed, air-condition console not working
9 December 2025
A wonderful experience, more than we could expect...
Breakfast variety more than enough, very cozy and comfortable breakfast area, kind and nice people, the whole experience was exceptional. The stuff helpful and kind, the entrance of the hotel trully amazing, the room was fully equiped. We had an exceprional experience. Sincerely reccomended.
8 December 2025
A beautiful hotel. Definitely worth checking out when you stay in Budapest
Very friendly staff. Lots of little extras! Welcome drink on arrival, access to pool, birthday acknowledgement in the room. The breakfast was absolutely gorgeous and much nicer than most hotel buffet breakfasts. Lovely comfortable bed/ room. Lovely modern decor.
Nothing! It’s a great hotel.
8 December 2025
Fabulous
Amazing building. Great customer service, staff were v friendly. Good breakfast!
6 December 2025
Very good
Location is perfect! Breakfast is fine, room size good. Staff very friendly
The beds are not too comfortable
6 December 2025
Excellent staff really helpful & courteous. Good breakfast. Ideal location 15 minutes walk into main town. Great cit
Friendly, elegant property. Plenty of space.
Towels thin
6 December 2025
Exceptional
Nice hotel,close to the Christmas market and other turist destinations.The staff is very friendly and assertive.It was our second stay here and we will return for sure.
5 December 2025
Fabulous stay excellent location lovely service will definitely be back thank you
Fabulous location
N/A
4 December 2025
Great location and spa
The indoor heated pool and sauna were amazing, the bed was comfortable, and the shower was good. Very good location close to a bunch of restaurants and coffee shops and shopping and sightseeing
Room was smaller than expected
4 December 2025
Fabulous
ok
the boy at the recption
3 December 2025
Nice hotel
Everything was perfect, clean and nice hotel
One of the staff (Nora), she is very rude!
3 December 2025
Perfect short break
Lovely hotel, and friendly staff
Breakfast was very busy but the staff cleared tables and kept the buffet topped up with fresh food
28 November 2025
Exceptional
Very nice and clean Hotel right in the centre of Budapest. The breakfast was amazing with a big variety.
28 November 2025
Nice hotel with good comfort for business trips to center of Budapest.
Very nice reception, and staff providing good service. Rooms are great and the whole hotel gives a medium luxurious feeling.
The rate is on the upper level, but you pay for the exclusive feeling the lobby gives.
26 November 2025
Exceptional
Good service
Nothing
25 November 2025
Fabulous
The staff was pleasant and helpful, helping with all questions. The hotel has beautiful architecture. Very clean and quiet enough.
25 November 2025
Excellent value, super breakfast, good location
Great location, good value, fabulous breakfast, excellent staff, spotlessly clean
A bit noisy outside on the street but got moved to an interior room without any problem as soon as we asked
23 November 2025
Fabulous
Good location, not far to walk to most attractions. Had a few drinks at the bar after walks and staff was always friendly. Would recommend the hotel.
Very hot in the room, even with the aircon on, we had to sleep with the windows open. Can be quite noisy in the morning, with the cleaning staff shouting to each other in the corridor. Luckily we didn't plan on having lay-ins.
23 November 2025
Great couple week-end
Great location, comfy room, nice breakfast and helpful staff. We enjoyed our stay
Nothing
Hotel facilities
Food & Drink
- - Restaurant
- - Bar
- - Breakfast in the room
- - Special diet menus (on request)
- - Kid-friendly buffet
- - Wine/champagne (additional charge)
- - Fruits (additional charge)
- - Coffee house on site
General
- - Room service
- - Non-smoking rooms
- - Facilities for disabled guests
- - Family rooms
- - Lift
- - Safety deposit box
- - Soundproof rooms
- - Car hire
- - Heating
- - Non-smoking throughout
- - Air conditioning
- - Designated smoking area
- - Shuttle service (additional charge)
- - Airport shuttle (additional charge)
Business facilities
- - Meeting/banquet facilities (additional charge)
- - Business centre
- - Fax/photocopying (additional charge)
Reception services
- - 24-hour front desk
- - Express check-in/check-out (additional charge)
- - Tour desk
- - Luggage storage
- - Concierge service
- - Private check-in/check-out
- - Invoice provided
Activities
- - Sauna
- - Fitness centre
- - Spa and wellness centre
- - Massage (additional charge)
- - Indoor pool
- - Indoor pool (all year)
- - Open-air bath
- - Spa facilities
- - Spa lounge/relaxation area
- - Fitness
- - Fitness/spa locker rooms
- - Themed dinner nights (additional charge)
- - Happy hour (additional charge)
- - Live music/performance
Outdoors
- - Garden
- - Terrace
- - Outdoor pool
- - Sun terrace
- - Outdoor pool (seasonal)
- - Outdoor furniture
Entertainment and family services
- - Babysitting/child services (additional charge)
Cleaning services
- - Laundry (additional charge)
- - Dry cleaning (additional charge)
- - Ironing service (additional charge)
- - Trouser press
- - Daily housekeeping
Parking
- - Electric vehicle charging station
Accessibility
- - Wheelchair accessible
- - Toilet with grab rails
- - Raised toilet
Pool and wellness
- - Swimming pool
- - Swimming pool
Miscellaneous
- - 24-hour security
- - Key card access
- - Security alarm
- - Smoke alarms
- - CCTV in common areas
- - Fire extinguishers
- - Breakfast takeaway containers
- - Delivered food is securely covered
- - Access to health care professionals
- - Thermometers for guests provided by property

More photos

8 January 2026
Exceptionally good value for money.