Best Hotels in Budapest City Centre

Fashioned after a musically-inspired concept by master designer Zoltan Varro, Aria Hotel Budapest uniquely sets itself apart from other luxury hotels in the city and ranks as the best, exuding an atmosphere of palatial luxury, supplemented by generous amenities and top-level hospitality. Consistent with Varro’s innovative concept, each of the four wings is designed after a major musical genre – jazz, opera, contemporary and classical – with every room featuring works by world-renowned artist Joseph Blecha, honouring musical masters from Bob Dylan to Franz Liszt. Aria Hotel is located in Budapest’s historic city centre, near St. Stephen’s Basilica.

Centrally-located on Erzsébet Square, The Ritz-Carlton, Budapest counts among the city’s more splendid hotels, blending touches of a bygone era with modern luxury details in their 19th century heritage building, where elegantly carved statues adorn the exterior along with a beautifully-stained glass cupola. Such traditional elements are cleverly balanced by a more relaxed, contemporary interior that showcases a palette inspired by the blue hues of the Danube. Combining the high-style aesthetic of grand hotels with a relaxed feel, The Ritz-Carlton, Budapest offers guests top-rated amenities including residential-style accommodations, fine dining and a luxury spa to rival the city’s top hotels.

Set in a 19th-century Italian renaissance-style building, New York Palace, The Dedica Anthology, Autograph Collection is another one of Budapest’s top luxury hotels, located on the Grand Boulevard at close proximity to the iconic Chain Bridge. Here, old-world splendour mingles with modern luxury; silk wallpapers, Murano chandeliers, and Italian marble details stand alongside top-of-the-line spa and fitness amenities, and contemporary fine dining. For those looking to indulge in divine decadence with a dash of contemporary, the New York Palace is the best place to be.

The Kempinski Hotel Corvinus Budapest stands apart from other luxury hotels with its contemporary façade of modern glass and straight-lined stone. Opulent details abound, from its sweeping lobby, gold-standard service and facilities, to its elegantly spacious accommodations, counting it among the top hotels in the city. The recently-refurbished rooms – overseen by British designer Alex Krevetz – are nature-inspired, awash in vibrant hues of gold, blue and green. Conveniently central and near to tourist draws Váci utca and Vörösmarty tér, the Kempinski Hotel is the best choice among other hotels for families, as Kempinski is also pet-friendly.

Located in the picturesque Buda Castle District, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Hilton Budapest is among the rare grand hotels in the area and is in itself an architectural treasure. Exquisite elements of the 13th century Dominican monastery that once stood in its place are stylishly synthesised with the hotel’s top-rated contemporary interiors, lending a modern lustre to the site’s rich heritage. Guests of Hilton Budapest can savour the best of the historic city with its central location, elegant rooms, and impeccable panoramic views of the Danube.

At the heart of Ferenciek tere stands a splendid fin-de-siècle vintage arcade modelled after Paris’ Passage des Panorama. Known as the ‘Parisian Court’, this magnificent 20th-century masterpiece has been revived as the Párisi Udvar Hotel Budapest, and is still every bit as impressive a structure with its distinctive glass dome, originally designed by Miksa Róth, cementing its place as a top cultural landmark. This modern reincarnation ranks among the city’s best grand hotels, enchanting guests in its prestigious spa facilities and luxurious residences, with interiors inspired by the arcade’s original fusion of Oriental, Moorish and Gothic styles.

Hotel Moments Budapest is suitably situated along Andrássy Avenue, a World Heritage Site lined with a spectacular collection of Neo-renaissance architectural façades. Just a short walk from splendid landmarks such as the Hungarian State Opera House and St. Stephen’s Basilica, Hotel Moments is the best launchpad for eager travellers with a regard for modern elegance. Its tastefully-decorated rooms strike the perfect balance between contemporary comforts and classical charm, with its Andrássy and Basilica Suites providing topviews of the citadel and Basilica.

Aptly set in the Palace District, past truly meets present in the upscale Hotel Palazzo Zichy Budapest where contemporary-style rooms are situated inside a 19th-century neo-baroque mansion built for Hungarian nobility Count Nándor Zichy’s family. Modern décor adorn this 4-star boutique hotel’s interiors, tastefully complementing the well-preserved rococo elements of the building. Impeccably-placed near the city’s main attractions, Hotel Palazzo Zichy with its spacious rooms is the best option for guests with a penchant for hotels with style and character at a decent price point.

For those looking to dive right into Budapest’s vibrant local scene, D8 Hotel is top pick among the city’s more affordable hotels. Set right in the city centre, this great value lifestyle hotel is just a few minutes away from Chain Bridge, downtown shopping destinations Váci Street and Vörösmarty Sq., and various other attractions. Offering reasonably-sized rooms with sleek and modern interiors while featuring a dynamic and spacious social hub where travellers can plug in and chill out, D8 Hotel marries effortless style with the best of contemporary comforts at an absolute bargain.

Among the best hotels in the Hungarian capital is this intimate boutique outfit nestled in the heart of downtown Budapest. Hotel Collect seamlessly blends classical French elegance and contemporary cool with its decadently decorated interior and lavish furniture. Spacious and stylishly furnished rooms draw inspiration from art deco and modernism, while the hotel’s deluxe courtyard boasts rich accents from Budapest’s Belle Époque. Wander just a few steps and guests can easily find themselves near attractions such as Károlyi Garden or the Hungarian National Museum.

The effortlessly chic and inviting Hotel Memories OldTown is centrally located between Inner City and the historic Palace District, a top pick for travellers looking for hotels that allow them to sample both the city’s rich cultural heritage and thriving urban scene. Handmade furniture, exposed brick, and industrial furnishings all lend the loft-style rooms a warm and authentic ambiance that’s difficult to find in other boutique hotels. Substance matches style as past guests laud its delicious breakfasts, beloved staff, and attention to detail.

Just a few paces away from the Danube rises the elegant arches of the Prestige Hotel Budapest, a magnificent piece of 19th-century architecture designed by the celebrated Jószef Hild. This refurbished town palace flaunts an interior to match: lush classical furniture sit in gleaming marbled floors that reflect the glimmer of crystal light fixtures. Among the most notable boutique hotels in the city, its rooms are generously-sized and similarly styled with decadent furnishings and warm lighting. Modern fittings and top-rated equipment can be found in the fitness and spa centre where guests can relax and unwind.

Enjoying a prime location in Disctrict V is the chic Hotel Parlament, among the most tasteful and modern boutique hotels at the top of Budapest’s cultural scene. Surrounded by museums and sitting just a few steps away from Szabadság tér, Hotel Parlament is the best choice for cultural aficionados and history lovers alike who will be spoiled for attractions around this picturesque neighbourhood. Guests have the option of a standard room or the parlament suite, both styled in au courant décor that exudes contemporary comfort.

Partake in the spirit of blissful indulgence that underlies the true soul of the city in one of its oldest and best hotels and spas: the Corinthia Hotel Budapest. Built in the late 1800s by architect Vilmos Freund and originally known as Körúti Bath, the Royal Spa was returned to its former glory in the early 2000’s as part of the Pisani family’s revival of the Grand Hotel Royal. Its crowning centrepiece is the 15-metre swimming pool at the heart of this glorious complex that also features Jacuzzis, Finnish saunas and steam baths. This top spa experience pairs well with the luxurious atmosphere that guests of the Corinthia Hotel Budapest relish, with its gold-star service and exquisitely styled rooms, stylish suites and spacious residences. Free access to the Royal Spa are available to all guests staying in deluxe room categories or higher.

For those who simply yearn to indulge in the finest that Budapest has to offer, the Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace is a top-tier choice among the city’s grand hotels. Set in a 19th-century neo-classical palace built by Hungarian architects Zsigmond Quittner and Jozsef Vago, the Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace is a sensuous ode to opulence as it greets guests with Zsolnay ceramic tiles, grand stairways and ornate Preciosa chandelier. Only exceptional service and top accommodation can be expected here, while one lounges within the sublimely designed rooms and suites in this magnificent cultural landmark as it stands overlooking the Danube, exuding unabashed splendour.