Favorite Neighborhood/Hotels in Budapest

Okay here are some ideas.

I think the ideal neighborhood to stay in is the one inside the blue line: https://goo.gl/maps/smfW4R9t9Ls It’s the perfect mix of location for the sights, good food, great pedestrian walks in the evening, theater, wine bars, opportunities to explore and well balanced between real life and tourism.

I haven’t stayed in a hotel in Budapest in over 10 years so I don’t recommend hotels. If you want luxury then check out the Corinithia (beautiful and not in a terrible location) or the Boscolo (stunning and with amazing history – New York Place Café – but miserable location) or the Four Seasons (most years Conde Nast’s choice for 1st or 2 best in Europe and only in a fair location), or the Ritz Carlton (new renovation and probably in the best location of the 5star hotels). I’ve stayed at the K&K and know a number of others that have and it’s not as luxurious as the others, but the location is pretty ideal. There are a few others in the immediate location as well with pretty good reputations (use trip advisory).

If you want romantic nights on the river with all the lights, then stay at the Marriott. The downside is that it is surrounded on three sides by the most heavily saturated tourist area (oddly enough, not much of significance to see there other than the river - but the river is stunning).

Finally, go back to that district i outlined and maybe you can find a first class apartment for your stay. I've seen some in the area with roof top patios. Ching Ching $$$$$. Typical apartments will run 65Euro and up.

Finally, it should be 3 in Prague and 4 in Budapest.

My wife and I have been to Budapest twice, and both times stayed at Kalvin House near the Liberty Bridge. It has a lot of character and embodies the faded grandeur of the city itself. It's not fancy if that is what you are aiming for though, given your special occasion. They honored our request to stay in the same room on our second visit in 2014. The Gellert is on the opposite (Buda) side of the Liberty Bridge and very well situated, a little more fancy. We met friends staying there on our 2011 trip and the room they had was on the small side. The baths at the Gellert are really nice as far as I am concerned, just go early in the day as later things can get pretty grungy. I love Budapest, always feel so at home there. Enjoy your trip!

You ask for opinions and you will get a lot. I am opinionated as h-ll on the subject; but not necessarily correct. I've never stayed at the Gellert, been there a few times for drinks and food and to me it was a tired old version of the grand old hotel it once was. But the history, simply amazing and sometimes i stay in places just for the history. So i have to give it that. Sleep where the Nazi staff and the likes of Schindler and world leaders once stayed. Generally speaking I don't think Buda is a good choice. You will spend too much of of your time getting back and forth across the river as 85% of what is special about Budapest is in Pest; while Buda has some great views. BUT, of all the Buda hotels at least the Gellert is on the 47/49 tram that crosses the river and will take you to the heart of Pest.

The center of all sight seeing is Deak Ferenc ter in Pest. From that point, by foot or tram or metro, you are about as close to dead center of all the sights as you can get. VS's Kalvin ter location will get you to Deak Ferenc ter on the 47/49 (or just walk) and the zone i suggested is along the M1 metro line that goes to Deak Ferenc ter (ter=square).

In the end, if Budapest speaks to you, then you will be back.

Here are some interesting ones. But a couple are on the fringe: https://theculturetrip.com/europe/hungary/articles/10-hotels-in-budapest-youll-never-want-to-leave/

I stayed at the K & K Opera right next to the Opera House on the main boulevard Andressy St.Great location and hotel.
Mike

I second the recommendation for the neighborhood near Szabadsag hid (Liberty bridge) on the Pest side--I stayed there on my first visit and it felt so comfy and just enough removed from the tourist fray to be peaceful and relaxing that I have stayed there 2 more times. I like the Residence Baron on So utca, just off Fovam ter at the end of pedestrianized Vaci utca. 2 minutes to the tram and metro at Fovam, 5 minutes to Kalvin ter.

I also second staying longer in Budapest, it's quite a magical place.

Thank you all so much!! James E--a special thank you for the map you sent over! So helpful!

Sorry, one more question. I'm looking at Google Maps and it's not in English. Can someone please clarify Buda and Pest areas for me? Thanks!

Generally, when looking at a map of Budapest it's always presented with Buda on the left side of the Danube, Pest on the right. Buda has the Castle Hill as it's main attraction, while pretty much everything else is in Pest.

Excellent--thanks for clarifying!

Excellent--thanks for clarifying!

I hunt for hotels using Google Maps. Go to Pest (east side of the river), then put Budapest Hotel in the search window. Then zoom into the areas recommended here and click on the hotels for details.

We stayed at La Prima Fashion Hotel last time we were in Budapest...it's a ridiculous name for a hotel but we loved it! Super central, very large rooms, and excellent breakfast. It's just near the river and the pedestrian shopping zone.

Our family has 2 favorite hotels:
1) Art'otel on the Buda side.
https://www.artotels.com/budapest-hotel-hu-h-1011/
Lovely views from the rooms looking at the Parliament Building. I enjoy walking, so its a 5-10 minutes walk to the metro station. About 3 stops and possibly 1 transfer (& one more stop) and you're in the center of town.

2) Radisson Blu Beke Hotel on the Pest side. https://www.radissonblu.com/en/hotel-budapest

I find this hotel easy to walk/tram/metro to all of the central attractions. The train station (Nyugati) a few minutes walk away, makes certain destination easy to get too.

Enjoy your Adventure !

Ibis Hotel on Raday St.
Pest side,Good prices, clean rooms, very good buffet breakfast.