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Hotel accommodations in Budapest. Need to choose soon

We are scheduled to take a Viking cruise from Budapest to Amsterdam next week. When we first planned this trip last Spring I made tentative reservations at Hotel Victoria and Hilton Budapest. As the trip is rapidly approaching, I need to cancel one. Has anyone stayed in either facility recently? Since we did not take the Viking package, we need to get ourselves to the dock. Location and cleanliness are our major priorities. Any suggestions or information would be appreciated.

I hope this is not a duplicate. Tried to send earlier but forgot to title it so am trying again.

Posted by
13247 posts

I haven't stayed at either, but I can tell you that the Hotel Victoria is right on the water, whereas the Hotel Hilton Budapest is up higher on the hill in Buda, which will give you a nice view (maybe), but that's a lot of hill to climb unless you just take trams all the time.

You might want to look through a couple of these threads that have information about Budapest hotels. These three all mention at least one of your hotels and, in some cases, both.
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/hungary/budapest-updated-hotel-list
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/hungary/rs-forum-favorite-hotels-and-their-cost
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/hungary/budapest-st-stephen-s-festival

Posted by
27610 posts

They are both in Buda but most of the sights are in Pest on the otherside of the river, so neither is terribly convenient.

If it has to be one of the two, look at their websites and pick the one you like best because, except for location, they are both pretty nice.

Personally I would give a slight edge to the Hotel Victoria, but not because its "on the water" because its not in practical terms. From there to the center of tourism in Pest is 2 trams and maybe 20 minutes through interesting sights and architecture.

From the Hilton, the prior post is incorrrct since there are no trams in the Castle District, so it's one bus direct to the center of Pest; again with a lot to see along the way. Maybe 25 minutes.

If you pick one of the two or any other hotel, return here and let us know which and I'll tell you some interesting things nearby and help you with getting around.

Posted by
27610 posts

mkb, if it doesn't have to be one or the other in Buda then pick a 4 star from this list; https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/hungary/budapest-updated-hotel-list. My top 2 would be Hotel Oktogon and Hotel Moments. All the others along or near Andrassy ut tie for 3rd place.

If you choose Buda to avoid tourism. That's not the case. The only place where that is a concern is parts of District V and VII.

Posted by
224 posts

We have stayed at Hotel Victoria twice and love it. We will stay there again at the end of October. The view at night across the river at parliament is amazing. Highly recommend it