Best hotels in Budapest

Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace, Budapest

Perched right at the foot of Budapest's iconic Chain Bridge, the Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace is a jaw-dropping masterpiece of Art Nouveau architecture. Originally completed in 1906, it wasn't built as a hotel at all, but rather as a grand headquarters and luxury apartment complex for the London-based Gresham Life Assurance Company.

“With its two-million-piece mosaic tiled floor, 19th-century stained glass roof panels and intricate ironwork, the Four Seasons in Budapest is an art nouveau masterpiece. Rooms are spacious and luxe with vaulted ceilings and marble bathrooms”

Corinthia Hotel, Budapest

If you ever find yourself strolling down Budapest’s Grand Boulevard, it’s hard to miss the jaw-dropping facade of the Corinthia Hotel. Opened back in 1896 as the Grand Hotel Royal to welcome guests for the city's Millennium Exhibition, this place was the peak of French Renaissance luxury. It was so ahead of its time that it featured "rising rooms" (elevators) powered by steam engines and telephones in every room.

“The Corinthia first opened as the luxurious Grand Royal Hotel in time for the Magyar Millennium in 1896, and, despite being destroyed during Hungary’s 1956 revolution, it’s just as luxurious today.”

Featured as Fodor’s Choice in Budapest.

W, Budapest

W Budapest is seriously cool. They turned the old Drechsler Palace (yep, that historic, glam building) into this bold, design-forward hotel that plays on Budapest’s two sides: Buda and Pest. The interiors are a bit of a visual delight, with soft layers, metal mesh, and touches of French Renaissance flair.

“The brightest star of the local hotel scene is W Budapest, which opened in 2023. Located inside Drechsler Palace, a former ballet school directly across from the Opera on upscale Andrássy avenue, it offers 151 gorgeously appointed rooms and suites.”

Baltazar Boutique Hotel, Budapest

Hidden away in the cobblestone streets of Budapest’s historic Buda Castle District, the Baltazár Boutique Hotel is a family-owned treasure that trades stuffy luxury for creative energy. Run by the Zsidai family, who have been major players in the city's culinary scene for decades, this building treats hospitality like an art form.

“When it opened in 2013, this boutique hotel brought a welcome shot of style to the Castle District; it’s a good option for design lovers who like to avoid the chains.”

Featured as Frommer’s Exceptional Choice in Budapest.

Brody House, Budapest

Built in 1896 by architect Ernő Schannen, the neo-classical building that houses Brody House initially served as the private residence and medical practice of Dr. Vilmos Tauffer. Dr. Tauffer was a pioneering medical figure who performed the country’s first modern cesarean section. Located in Budapest’s historic Palace Quarter, the structure remarkably survived the heavy damage of World War II and the 1956 Hungarian Uprising, which actually ignited just a few doors down the street.

“Brody House is more than just a super-cool boutique hotel in the up-and-coming Palace District. It’s also a hub of creativity, focused on showcasing and supporting local artists, designers, writers, musicians and other creative types.”

Hotel Oktogon Haggenmacher, Budapest

If you’re after a place in Budapest that feels quite posh but still has a relaxed, welcoming vibe, Hotel Oktogon Haggenmacher is a solid pick. Housed in the former Haggenmacher Palace on the elegant Andrássy Avenue, it blends its rich neo-Renaissance heritage with funky, modern design.

“Not far from a popular public transportation hub, Hotel Oktogon Haggenmacher has 121 very comfortable rooms, an excellent breakfast buffet and helpful staff.”

Gerlóczy Boutique Hotel, Budapest

Tucked away on a quiet, leafy square in the absolute center of Budapest, the Gerlóczy Boutique Hotel feels like a secret portal to fin-de-siècle Paris. It is housed in a beautifully preserved, eclectic Art Nouveau building that dates all the way back to 1892.

“Gerlóczy hits the mark with an excellent combination of good value, decor and atmosphere. Set over four floors of an 1890s building on an attractive square, the individually designed and well-proportioned rooms all have king-sized beds.”

Palazzo Zichy Hotel, Budapest

Tucked away in Budapest’s historic Palace District, the Eurostars Palazzo Zichy seamlessly blends 19th-century elegance with 21st-century design. The building was originally constructed as a grand, neo-Baroque mansion completed in 1899 for Count Nándor Zichy, a famous Hungarian noble and politician, and his family.

“Design hotels can sometimes feel insubstantial. Not so the Palazzo Zichy, a stylish, chic 80-room establishment that opened in 2009 in a restored 19th-century mansion, whose thick walls lend a sense of solidity. The mix of original, neo-Baroque stairwells and modern minimalist décor probably shouldn’t work, but it does.”

Featured in New York Times’ 36 Hours in Budapest.

Continental Hotel, Budapest

The Continental Hotel Budapest is a fascinating piece of history hidden right in the city’s vibrant Jewish Quarter. Before it was a luxury hotel, the site began as the Gamperl Iron Bath in 1827, which was later destroyed by a massive flood. Reborn in 1910 as the legendary Hungária Bath, the stunning building was designed by architect Emil Ágoston, who gave it a magnificent, flowing Viennese Art Nouveau look.

“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.”

Pest-Buda Design & Boutique Hotel, Budapest

Stepping into the Pest-Buda Design & Boutique Hotel feels like taking a quick trip back in time. Tucked away in Budapest’s historic Castle District, this cozy spot proudly claims the title of Hungary's oldest hotel, originally opening its doors all the way back in 1696.

“There’s a lot to love about this fantastic, 10-room boutique hotel that has opened on the site of Hungary’s oldest hotel. Each room is individually designed, with oak floors, excellent bedding and quirky touches.”

Callas House, Budapest

Perched directly next to the Hungarian State Opera House on Andrássy Avenue, Callas House is a striking boutique hotel brimming with artistic history. The building itself is a neo-renaissance masterpiece completed in 1881 by Hungarian architect Vilmos Freund. Commissioned as a palace for a wealthy banker, the building later transformed into a bank office and even the headquarters of a clothing company.

“Ten years after the arrival of the posh Callas cafe and restaurant, Callas House opened directly upstairs in 2016, offering 25 beautiful rooms and suites on Pest’s most stylish boulevard, next door to the Budapest Opera.”

Featured in New York Times’ 36 Hours in Budapest.

Pal’s Hostel and Apartments, Budapest

Pal’s Hostel and Apartments isn't your traditional, cookie-cutter lodging. Instead of a single building, it functions as a unique, scattered-site network of private apartments and rooms surrounding the grand St. Stephen’s Square. The reception serves as the central hub, but checking in means you are handed the keys to your very own piece of historic Budapest real estate, blending hostel socializing with the independence of apartment living.

“Spread across several different buildings in central Budapest, this personable and characterful hub offers a range of accommodation from dorms and private rooms in self-catering apartments. All are well maintained and service is friendly and helpful.”

Parliament Penthouse B&B, Budapest

Perched high in Budapest’s historic fifth district, the Parliament Penthouse B&B offers an intimate escape right next to the city's architectural crown jewel. The property blends modern comfort with classic European charm, operating as a boutique family apartment that splits into five private, elegant rooms.

“This B&B offers a fantastic bird’s eye view of this beautiful city. Steps lead up from the little breakfast room to the a rooftop terrace, with one of the best panoramas I’ve seen.”

Bohem Art Hotel, Budapest

The Bohem Art Hotel in downtown Budapest is a unique boutique hotel that blends industrial history with contemporary creativity. Built in 1905, the building originally served as the Szénásy stationery factory, where notebooks and drawing compasses were produced. For nearly half a century, the majority of Hungarian students learned to read, write, and count using materials made right inside these walls.

“Though the rooms at this delightful small hotel are a little on the compact side, each one is decorated in its own individual style (the suites done by local artists – we particularly like Room 302).”

La Prima Fashion Hotel, Budapest

If you are looking for a sleek, stylish base in the heart of Budapest, La Prima Fashion Hotel hits the sweet spot. It sits right on Váci utca, the city’s famous pedestrian shopping street, and is just a two-minute stroll from the scenic Danube Promenade.

“Closer to the action in Pest, just off touristy Vaci Utca, is the La Prima, a self-styled “fashion hotel” that opened in 2011.”

Featured in New York Times’ 36 Hours in Budapest.

12 Revay Hotel, Budapest

Right in the heart of Budapest’s District VI, 12 Revay Hotel is a sleek, modern three-star spot that opened its doors in September 2015. It sits just 50 meters from the Hungarian State Opera House and St. Stephen’s Basilica, making it a dream baseline for exploring the city on foot.

“Guests looking for excellent yet affordable views of St. Stephen’s Basilica can book one of three rooftop suites at 12 Revay Hotel, or chose one of the 53 smaller rooms at the hotel, which opened in 2015.”

Featured in New York Times’ 36 Hours in Budapest.