We just decided to take a day from our Austria trip and head over to
Budapest for a night. I know, too short of time, but I have a feeling
we will be back.
No, not too short. I’ve done some quick trips in the past just to see if it was a place I wanted to invest a lot of time in on a future trip. November 20 the Christmas Markets will be open. So you chose well for that.
I am not a huge fan of Bratislava especially when it is taking time from Vienna or Budapest, but many love it. The old town is small, compact, well renovated, expensive and exists for the sole purpose of entertaining tourists. I will get beat up for what I just said, its only my perspective. Everyone is different. The other issue is that to begin to do Bratislava justice, if you did like it, you need 4 hours for the old town alone, and then you miss a lot that is outside of the old town. By the time you do the train ride and do the walk of Bratislava and then the next train, you will have to leave Budapest very early. Better to leave Budapest late if you have only one night. An option is decide when you get to Budapest and buy your ticket at the station; Vienna or Bratislava (different departure stations though).
Interesting hotel list. I think you want old world style. Do remember that list you are working off was a list of well-located hotels. Choosing is a personal preference thing.
- Mirage Medic: Would not be on my list.
- Mamaison Anrassy: well, I said I thought you were looking for old
world style, this is mid-century modern. I like mid-century modern
so no complaint there. I think others on your list would suit me
better.
- Hotel Oktogon: Remember I have stayed in very few hotels in Budapest
so I suggest what hotels are in good locations for other to determine
if they fit their needs. This one is in an excellent location and I
have been inside of it and its beautiful.
- Hotel Moments: This has become the standard by which a lot of the
best located 4 star hotels are judged. It knows it too and the
prices reflect it. It is the best located of all, but that means 3
minutes closer to the sights and not much more. It’s a beautiful old
world building but in my mind as a guest you don’t really get to
enjoy it as much as you should as the old world style is in the lobby
and who sits there? But I could be wrong.
- Matlid Palace: An absolutely stunning old world building … close to
nothing. For a one night stay, I would think that you would want
more efficiency.
From your list my first choice without care of cost would be the Hotel Moments. With caring about cost, the Hotel Oktogon. I looked at photos in both and didn’t notice any glass bathroom, but no promises. Call or write and ask.
Here is a post on the Christmas markets in Budapest and note the link to Emily’s post on the markets in Vienna: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/hungary/budapest-christmas-markets-d26f8ab1-2048-4160-bfb3-bf13b096683e
AND, we still need to help plan the days and a dinner you wont forget with wine and gypsy music.
