RS forum favorite hotels and others along or close to Andrassy & their cost.

Budapest, eh? Hmmm. I would think it would be cheaper. Typically for us we try for a hotel under 100 euros in all of Europe. Your numbers are interesting in that it would seem per the thread title, that RS people exceed my desired price point.
We have paid more than 100 many times per night, but try to average it down over 3-4 weeks, our usual timeframe.

Unlike where you go Inflation finally caught up. Getting difficult to find a 4 star luxury hotel in the heart of the historic area with breakfast and free cancelation for under $100 during peak tourism dates.

Booked this on 9/29:

K+K Opera - 5 nights - Dec. 4 - 9

HUF 271,720
EUR 666.18
USD (approx) $730.87 @ 1.10 $146 per night

Note that this is a Book early and save 20% offer with breakfast - and Prepaid
Spacious Urban room

Normally I would have gone a bit farther afield for something a bit cheaper, but decided to use location as the primary criterion, per Mr. E's recommendation & travel forum opinions. Less walking was appealing considering the colder weather.

You did good. My list at best maybe gives a rough idea for comparison. Too many variables to be accurate beyond that.

O love the location.

Good to hear that the K+K is in a good location. The tour (not RS) I am on is staying there 3 nights starting 16 October.

Bob, anyplace along Andrassy ut is very good. One, its more beautiful than Paris' Champs de Elysee. Second, the area has a large number of nice restaurants and wine bars. Third, its in the heart of the theater district, and seeing a show is essential when you are in town (or at least the Opera tour). Fourth its on the M1 metro which connects the crossroads to every part of Pest. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metro_Line_M1_(Budapest_Metro)

And I just checked a couple of short term rentals in the same good locations and they would run $75-$85/night, like Mr. É said. Trade-offs: more space but no breakfast.

Thank you for taking the time to make this comparison.
I ran the numbers for my time frame and luckily I booked the Hotel Moments early (before it was taken over by the Continental group) so I was able to get a price comparable to to the UP’s current price for the Moments “Signature room”. It’s always nice when the price works to your advantage in travel planning.
In my heart though I believe I should be at the W!
But my budget says NO.

You’ve overlooked my two favorite hotels!

Casati Hotel has only full suites left for those dates at a hair under $200/night. Available dates for regular rooms around that time runs about $150/night.

Its new sister hotel, Cortile Hotel, has an outrageous rooftop infinity pool and sky bar. Its room rates for those dates are right at $200/night for a suite as regular rooms are sold out. Near those dates, the regular rooms run $180/night.

You’re right, inflation has raised hotel rates significantly. I was here a year and half ago enjoying rates at least 30% lower. Not just in Budapest but in all countries.

But if you move a bit out from the prime areas, nice 3 star hotels are still available under $100. Even then, it only adds 5 minutes on a tram to the sightseeing. Better yet, don't pay the crazy breakfast hotel prices and plan to go to a cukrászda for a croissant and coffee for $6.

The Casati is about 300 feet around the corner from my flat. There is too much construction down that street and around the hotel right now for my comfort. But a nice hotel. I visit the bar on ocassion. The Cortile I walk past from time to time, the lobby isn't impressive, but to be honest, I know little about it beyond the pool and adults only.

Quite interesting. My 3 days over the last weekend in NOV, in Paris 3rd, are booked at $300+/night. This weekend I'll be down around Frieberg and Colmar at $100/night and a large suite for $180/night (2 nights each). In DEC in Zurich the tariff is in excess of $325/night. All of these are 4 star properties. In Krakow a couple months ago I had great rooms, in season, for $105. Paris 2 weeks ago, in St Denis, was $185.

Time and location matter as much as luxury.

KGC you are correct. I stacked everything against the survey. I picked one of the busiest weeks of the year. Over a weekend when prices tend to be higher, selected 6 weeks in advance so no discounts, then stuck to arguably the best location in town for a tourist, then threw in breakfast (which is denying you the opportunity to start the day in the culture of the city). Oh, and only picked fully refundable reservations. I suspect 3 weeks earlier, during the week, without breakfast would put several more close to $100 as would a less convenient and visually beautiful location. Wasn't looking for the cheapest, just the best if budget want an issue.

For instance, a few weeks later, after the markets close, 4 nights during the week, no breakfast and the Oktogon hotel drops from $179 to about $100 for fully refundable.

Hi Mr E
I am considering the Oktogon hotel based on the good reviews and the look of the hotel in a period building. However its location seems farther from the other hotels like Moments and the rest.
How do you feel about its location? I prefer to walk everywhere but I have my mom w me this trip so a convenient location close to shops, restaurants and sights would be good. Would appreciate your thoughts on it.
Thank you in advance!
Best
Joanne

The hotel Moments was once a great deal, but popularity I think has caused them to become quite expensive. The advantage of the hotel was a walking advantage. By foot you were a bit closer to things. But that far end of Andrassy ut isn’t the prettiest. Oh, and right now they are renovating the building across the street and the façade is covered with scaffolding. Not noisy or anything, but a lot of the charm of the location is gone for a while. But it is a beautiful hotel inside and the classic appeal works well.

The trick is to be on Andrassy ut and the M1 metro. Having done that there is a lot to see and do in both directions on Andrassy ut and for the rest of the Pest you use the M1 or walk. The Moments is a bit closer to the Opera and there are some nice places now around the Opera. But the Oktogon is the entrance to mid and upper Andrassy ut which is the most visually beautiful and in many ways the most interesting part of the street. You will have an opportunity to escape the tourism a bit more with very, very little cost in convenience.

Also look at the Up Hotel Budapest. Sort of the antithesis of the Oktogon Hotel as the Up appears to be very modern, but in an old façade. But I love the location.

And which ever you choose, consider it without breakfast. Breakfast is a good excuse to begin your day in the culture of the city, not eat boiled eggs and salami in a hotel.

Thank you for your insights Mr E. I will stick to Oktogon if it’s a prettier part of the Andrassy. I’m traveling with my mom and would like be in a nicer bldg. The up hotel may be too modern and trendy for her.
I completely agree with you about breakfast in the hotel. I much prefer checking out nice cafes and experience more local offerings.
Do you hv any good restaurant, cafe recommendation near the Oktogon? I did take notes of resto recos you gave to others.
I will be going to Vienna for a few days and then back to Budapest for a night to catch my flight home. Maybe I will try the Up hotel.
Another hotel I am considering for my last one night is Gerloczy Boutique Hotel which sounds from reviews to be quite charming, in a good location and everyone is talking about how fab the restaurant is. Have you heard of this hotel or know of its location?
Sorry for the many questions…
Thank you for doing what you do!
Best
Joanne

I tried booking Oktogon and sadly they are full. Wish I had pulled the trigger yesterday. Just wanted to let you know Mr E, before you spend time with the resto reco near Oktogon.

Joanne, I am sorry about that.

You might look at the Eurostar Ambassador
https://www.octogon.hu/files/53/kulso8-800x.jpeg
https://www.eurostarsambassador.com/

The Hotel Moments
The Alice Hotel
Mamaison Residence Izabella Budapest

Another hotel I am considering for my last one night is Gerloczy
Boutique Hotel which sounds from reviews to be quite charming, in a
good location and everyone is talking about how fab the restaurant is.
Have you heard of this hotel or know of its location?

I know the place well. Actually too well. It is the only subject involving Budapest that I will say ABSOLUTELY NO to and then not comment further.

Mr E,
Ok no Gerloczy! I managed to book Oktogon after all. I emailed the hotel and voila they managed to get me a room even though their online reservation was full and so were booking.com and others.
Thank you so much the advice. Much appreciated. Can’t wait to get there next week!

Looks like a beautiful hotel. Enjoy your stay, and feel free to contact me if you need anything.

I have not been inside the Oktogon Hotel (and had no idea it was there) but my taxi driver 2 weeks ago said “Very nice hotel” as we drove past on the way to my apartment. I couldn’t tell if he was just pointing that out or if he was a bit worried about my choice of apartment locations. Lol.

Wait, you took a taxi?

I checked in to the Casati today, I’m in a large room facing the inner courtyard and it’s very quiet
There is a king size bed, desk, easy chair with ottoman,TV, giant shower
There is a mini fridge as well as coffee and tea fixings
The rate for a solo with taxes and breakfast is $155
I changed dates and needed one more day and they couldn’t accommodate me, so last night I stayed at Hotel Ambra just around the corner
The rate was $112. They put me in a suite & it also included taxes and breakfast
I had dinner last night at VakVarju Restaurant on Paula’s Ute 7 the goulash was delicious
Tonight’s meal was on October 6 street
If I wrote it down correctly it’s kisharang Etkezde
A tiny spot with one cook
The stuffed peppers in paprika sauce & potatoes were wonderful
Maybe I’ll bump into Mr E at a wine bar or the Tuk Tuk
I’m pleased to finally be in Budapest

Diana, welcome to Budapest. I actually live about 300 m from your hotel. If you get bored, let me know and I will come buy you a drink. PM in your in box