More photosW 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. And there are fun nods to chess (think tiled floors and lamps shaped like chess pieces) and ballet, so it’s not just a place to crash, it’s an experience.
On top of that, the hotel offers a kind of hidden wellness world: the AWAY® Spa feels like a secret escape with mirrors, water features, and thermal-bath-inspired design to calm your senses.
There’s also a slick WET pool, relaxing steam rooms, and a 24/7 gym. Perfect if you want to recharge after exploring the city.
Meanwhile, food and drink are on point, with a lounge that shifts from daytime café to nighttime hangout, plus an imaginative restaurant and bar program that really captures Budapest’s spirit.
Hotel deals & lowest price guarantee
We partner with Booking.com and Agoda. These booking sites guarantee the lowest prices, ensuring you always get the best deals for the hotels mentioned above. If you find a better rate elsewhere, simply contact the booking website. They’ll promptly refund the difference. You can match prices up until the day before your check-in date.
Need more tips about how to get a great deal? Check out our guide about how to save money on hotel bookings.
Expert reviews
“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.”
“Taking over the UNESCO-listed Drechsler Palace, this is a design-lover’s dream stay. Original neo-renaissance features such as the huge arched doorways and stained glass windows have been restored or faithfully recreated, but despite its history, there’s a thoroughly modern buzz about the place.”
“Known for its seductive aesthetics and noteworthy nightlife, W Hotels made a splashy debut with W Budapest, its first Eastern European address. Opened in summer 2023, W Budapest breathes new life into the historic Drechsler Palace, all while keeping the building’s gorgeous neo-Gothic architecture intact.”
“W Hotels’ first foray into Eastern Europe has been a long time coming, but securing the Neo-Gothic Drechsler Palace, former home of the Institute of Ballet, was worth the wait. This dramatic building has been given a playful, contemporary and considered renovation, providing an excellent base from which to explore Budapest.”
What guests liked
- Central location
- Friendly staff
- Comfortable beds
- Swimming pool
- Delicious breakfast
Location
Other Budapest hotels
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.
New York Times“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.
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.
Fodors + 4 more“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.
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.
Lonely Planet + 1 more“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.”
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.
Lonely Planet“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).”