Which hotel to stay?

We stayed at the Hilton, at the top of the hill in Budapest side. Make sure you get a river view room, beautiful.

How important is the rental car? Budapest is very managable by public transport and driving is challenging and parking is even more difficult. Unless you're wanting to travel outside of the city, there isn't a need for a car.

I've stayed at the Hilton Budapest several times and I love it but for a 2.5 day stay in Budapest, you're better off staying on the Pest side. If you have status with Hilton, there is a Hilton Garden Inn on the Pest side. It isn't as fancy as the Corinthia as it is more of a business hotel, but if you're looking to earn or use points, it is another option. Both Pest options are close to public transportation, but the HGI puts you a bit close to the action. Do you have an itinerary for your visit?

Dump the rental car unless it ........ I cant imagine why you would need it in Budapest. Takes longer and harder to get around with a car and the parking is expensive and rare if you are using it around town.

For the hotel, easy, the Corinthia. The Hilton is nice (I assume you mean the Buda Hilton and not the Hilton Garden hotels in Pest). But Buda is so far removed from 85% of what you are going for and its in the second biggest tourist trap in the city. Still the Castle Hill area is worth about 4 hours out of a week.

The Corinthia is very nice, stayed there once myself not too many years ago and visited the spa about 3 months ago. Its not far from the 4/6 Tram and the Oktogon M1 stops (what you will be using while your car is parked). The old Jewish Ghetto Neighborhood starts right below it and Andrassy ut is a few minutes walk (where the M1 stop is located), the other direction is the NY Cafe.

Oh, heck, two and a half days? Stay at the Intercontinental or the Sofitel or the Marriott or the Four Seasons on the river. With 2.5 days at least you will enjoy the view.

I was last in Budapest in 1984 when it was Communist. We stayed in the Gellert Hotel, right next to the famous chain bridge. It was then considered the best in the city, but was old and not kept up as well as it could have been.

I do wonder if it is now considered a nice hotel?

The Gellert is now being renovated. The "best" in town is the Four Seasons, one of the top 10 in Europe, on most reviews.

Hilton Honors member here too. I haven’t stayed at the Hilton in Buda as it wasn’t convenient to what I was visiting in Budapest. For my last stay I was at the Corinthia. Very nice hotel which was very close to the Octagon station. My room included access to both the lounge and the spa. Both were very nice. After a long day of exploring the city it’s nice to pop into the jacuzzi pool. It just relaxes all the muscles. Breakfast is extensive and served in a lovely atrium area.

Thanks so much for info!