Budapest-I’m looking for a hotel recommendation for 1 night in Budapest in June post river cruise. I don’t think an apartment is going to rent for just 1 night so think I need a hotel. I’m going to need multiple rooms so while I want something nice I don’t need luxury. Would love it if I could find a room that sleeps 3 for some of the young adults.
Vienna- there will be less of us and some will stay 2 nights and others 3. Suggestions welcome for both hotels or apartments. The apartment needs are for 5 people.
What locations in each city would you recommend?
I’ve always received great travel advice here. Thanks in advance.
I can’t help you with a hotel in Budapest because I had my wonderful experience there with an AirBnB rental-- but I can tell you that with only 1 night after your river cruise, you’ll want to stay in Pest. More options in Pest & much, much easier to get around, and definitely more to do at night. You would be fine staying in the city center - easy walking distance and plenty to do in the area. Budapest gets hot in the summer (I was there in October and it was still quite warm) – so air conditioning is a must. I assume most hotels do have air conditioning, but it’s something to keep in mind if you are looking at budget-level accommodations.
Last summer we stayed in the Kempinski Hotel Corvinus and it was lovely - I highly recommend it. Very reasonable.
We stayed at the Intecontinental, near the Danube. There are many hotels near the river and it is a very central and convenient, walk friendly place to stay. It’s also close to a pedestrian plaza…many restaurants, pubs and coffee houses.
We tacked on a few nights in Vienna on our way to and from Slovakia because we flew from the US to Vienna. While in Vienna we stayed at the Vienna Marriott. We paid extra for a room that had access to the Executive Lounge, which offered free food and drink. The hotel is close to all the sites. By accident we stumbled into Walter
Bauer, a great restaurant that served classic Viennese food. Later we looked it up and found out it had one Michelin star. I’d definitely recommend it.
Second the recommendation to stay in Pest. When we went to Budapest, we stayed in some Soviet-era monstrosity in the Buda hills and it was . . . not so great. But Budapest was great!
I’m following this thread - I might be going to Budapest this August when I drop my daughter off for college in Paris! I would also check www.fodors.com
I have gotten great advice from local travelers on there numerous times - giving me all the “tricks of the trade” in a particular area.
H, S and I stayed in a hostel in Vienna for a few nights. We had one room for the 3 of us, bath in the hall. It was a very pleasant place, w a huge kitchen if you wanted to make any of your own meals, an inexpensive breakfast, and a convivial bar in the evenings.
But we always go for budget travel. YMMV.
I would point out that you could get your young adults a hostel room, even if you didn’t want to be there. They might enjoy the opportunity to meet travelers from many countries.
We stayed in airbnb in both Budapest and Vienna. There were 4 of us. Our last stay was for 1 night in Budapest (Pest area). Nice place, very inexpensive ($66), we took a bus from the train station, could walk to restaurants and bars. We had to go to the airport early the next morning and the apartment owner arranged a ride for us. That one only slept 4 though, you may be able to find an airbnb that will rent for 1 night. We went in November which was probably less busy.
In Vienna we stayed in an apartment just across the canal from a train stop. It was called Wonderful Apartment in City Center, says it sleeps 6 and has 1.5 baths but really only 1 bath, split into 2 rooms.
Really loved the transportation both cities - so easy to get around!
Check your lodging in Vienna carefully to make sure there is air conditioning. A couple of years ago were were there and there was a brutal heat wave. Temps were in the mid 90s.
We were amazed that the museums were not air conditioned. They just threw the windows open. It couldn’t have been good for the art. The museum of natural history was a big hit with my husband and kid.
We stayed in an Ibis (had a/c) near one of the train stations. It is a budget chain but clean and had a breakfast room. The subway system was fast and efficient.
For a fun day we went to the zoo and its surrounding park
I also found the public transportation in Vienna excellent.
Close to 10 years ago already… we went to visit younger d in semester abroad in Vienna and stayed for a few nights at the Hotel Pension Zipser literally a block or two from the Rathaus, easy location getting there on public transportation from the train station as we took airport bus to the train station, and we walked most places from there. Included a nice breakfast. We were there in November, actually just a few days after Obama’s election so not sure about a/c.
I stayed at the Ambassador in Vienna on the recommendation of a friend who had lived and worked in the area - very nice, and I was able to score a good price on the room online.