Overwhelming the advice is to stay on the Pest side. I like the idea of a more quaint area so have booked The Monastery on the Buda side for 3 nights. Is it just too far from major sites? We will have a general tour the first day on our Ama cruise if we miss something, but realize it will be only an overview. I am very willing to book tours or change reservation. Would staying at Hotel Intercontinental be a compromise?
Posted by
Magyarország / Rep of Texas
21551 posts
The ground zero for most of the tourism is a place called Deak Fernec ter. Most of the major tourist sites are pretty much an equal distance from this point (by foot or tram or metro). From your Monastery Botique Hotel to that point is not less than 15 minutes and I would suspect 20 including waiting for the bus. Yes, you will ride a city bus back and forth. Walking is a good 45 minutes (including a little tram usage) until they re-open the Chain Bridge to pedestrians. But that should be soon and reduce the walk by 10 or 15 minutes. Most of the public transportation closes down about 11 pm, after than you will need a taxi. in the evening not much exploring to do near your hotel, so you will be home early most likely.
How this works for you is up to you. Personally I would much rather walk out my hotel door and plop down here in the evening (if I am not out exploring) https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/09/3e/f5/89/dunacorso-etterem.jpg (Near the Hotel Intercontinental.)
Does not mean the hotel you picked is wrong. Juat means you and I are different. And once, many years ago, I stayed at the Art Otel not far from the one you picked. It's is nice over there and the views are good.
Posted by
Magyarország / Rep of Texas
21551 posts
Look at the Hotel Alice and the Callas House.
Posted by
OP
12 posts
Thank you so much for your insight. When I haven’t been somewhere, I need all the help I can get.
One more question: 2 different friends mentioned Hotel Intercontinental. The views look spectacular. But location is more important. Does it have both?
Posted by
Magyarország / Rep of Texas
21551 posts
It absolutely has both. That photo is about 50 feet away. My first choice, that or the Marriott, for short stays like yours.
Posted by
OP
12 posts
I had looked at both Hotel Alice and Callas House, both lovely. Location, location, view, view…
Thank you very much for answering me so promptly with such good advice. Now to decide.
Posted by
Magyarország / Rep of Texas
21551 posts
For location and view the Intercontinental or the Marriott. The other two are more intimate and botique in style and on the M1 to get you quickly to the views.
Posted by
CA
2176 posts
I stayed at the International. Loved it and the view.
Posted by
Magyarország / Rep of Texas
21551 posts
Here is a bit of Intercontinental propaganda (but true) https://www.facebook.com/InterContinentalBudapest/videos/1285078108975153/
By the way, I have never stayed at either the Marriott or the Intercontinental. I have visited and eaten at both and know the location really well. During good weather you will find me sitting out front at least once a week.
Posted by
OP
12 posts
Mister E, you are the best. Can’t thank you enough for the info. I love staying at boutique hotels, but for a first time visit when we are learning the city, the Intercontinental or Marriott look like the best for us… view and location.
Posted by
Magyarország / Rep of Texas
21551 posts
And you can do some really easy simple self guided tours from that location.
Day 1:
Usually a late afternoon arrival. Enjoy the riverfront at the hotel and walk behind the hotel to Vorosmarty ter and pedestrian Vaci utca for shopping, food, drinks, atmosphere.
Dinner at Dunacorso with a view across the river.
Day 2:
8:30 am board the 2 Tram to the Great Market Hall.
10:00 am board the 47/49 Tram to the Great (Dohany) Synagogue, take the tour (about an hour).
11:30 pm continue on 47/49 Tram to end stop and walk up Andrassy ut and choose a place for lunch.
1:00 pm continue up Andrassy ut to the House of Terror and visit
2:30 pm continue up Andrassy ut to the Heroes Square
3:30 pm take M1 Metro back down Andrassy ut to the Opera House
4:30 pm take the tour of the Opera House
5:30 pm walk back to your hotel or take the M1 to Vorosmart ter and walk from there
7:30 pm reservations at a really nice restaurant in District VI
Day 3
8:30 am board the 2 Tram to the Parliament and visit the Shoes on the Danube memorial & explore the square in front of the Parliament.
10:00 am take the Parliament Interior tour
11:00 pm walk down Falk Miska utca and visit the basement antique shops
12:00 pm board 4/6 Tram to Buda, transfer to 19/41 Tram to the Funicular to the Buda Castel
Lunch in the Buda Castle District.
Afternoon in Buda Castle District
Funicular back down and walk across the Chain Bridge to your Hotel
6:30 pm 2 Tram and short walk to Opus Jazz for dinner and a concert.
Posted by
OP
12 posts
Mister E, I can’t thank you enough. Budapest here we come in 9 months.