Hungary Budapest Art'Otel

[paulieuk]

Stay: 1 night - Saturday 13 November 2004

POSITIVES:

* Buffet breakfast (incl. some hot items) available free even to Priceline guests

* Free 30 minutes internet access in the business centre (though limit appeared to be unregulated)

* Tram stop right outside (nos. 19 or 41), Metro station five minutes away

* Good location: 5+ minutes walk to 'the bridge' and the fenicular railway up to the castle

* Rooms are excellent very modern and contemporary in design, with very clean modern bathrooms. I know, from the escape route map, that mine was a smaller room and it was still a good size with a nice open feel

NEGATIVES

* Front desk staff aren't overly helpful or friendly - they seemed overworked and attention was devided

* On the Buda side of town, so good for sightseeing, not so good for walking back from the nightlife

* No clock in the room - not even on the TV when it was on stand-by

* Mini-bar was limited in supply, and 500ml bottle of drinking water on the desk was 700HUF (approx $4)

* They couldn't sell me a tram ticket (unlike the Marriott that does)

* The 'fitness centre and sauna' is a very small affair - much better to go to one of the traditional baths

[pirate]

The Art

[Romelle]

Rick Steves shows this hotel in one of his travel videos. n

FYI - Romelle

[Romelle]

My son (2 nights) and I (5 nights) were fortunate enough to get rooms in this 4* hotel in October, 2012.

When I checked in, they told me they were giving me an upgrade to a river view room. No mention of my Priceline bid. The view was lovely - sun sparkling on the Danube at sunrise, watch the river traffic during the day, and the gorgeous lighted bridges and buildings at night. I enjoyed it all the time.

They said they'd try to give my son an upgrade too, but I guess one wasn't available when he checked in later in the day. They did put him on the same floor, so still convenient to visit.

While Pirate mentions included breakfast and chocolate on the pillow at night, apparently this has changed since that 2006 stay. They did offer a 14 Euro breakfast buffet.

Very nicely sized room, with contemporary white/black/red decor.

The staff was consistently very helpful and agreeable. Excellent English. Sharply dressed.

Three computers in the lobby, and it seemed at least one was always available. New very fast Lenovas. A printer for those boarding passes.

The bed was firm for my taste, but I eventually resolved that by taking the insides out of the two duvets and sleeping atop them, with a duvet sheet cover on top of me. That provided enough extra padding.

Black-out draperies that worked very smoothly. Deep bath tub and great water pressure.

The public transport options paulieuk mentions are still there. Plus odd little ferries that zig-zag up and down the river quietly and slowly, with a stop just across from the metro. They run about every 1/2 hour. An interesting daytime ride. While I didn't get it done, I think an evening ride would be quite lovely, seeing the lights on the bridges, buildings, and the other boats. The fare was 400 HUF or a little less than $2. There are also all sorts of dinner/lunch/coffee/music/ cruises available. For transportation, I bought a 7 day pass for about $23. It was good on metro,trams and buses. As it turns out, it was even good on the run to the airport for departure.

There was a bike stand outside the hotel that appeared to have rental bikes.

I was there during their October 23 celebration of their 1956 uprising. The uprising failed quickly, but is considered the important initial step for their eventual success. Marching groups and speeches and singing and prayer all over town. The Liberty Bridge wall-to-wall with marchers. Carrying flags and signs, and wearing label decorations. Lots of national dress costumes.

A poignant sight - a short solid elderly lady and gentleman in full old-time uniforms with medals got on a packed Metro. They were proud, but clearly weary from their participations. (Their age was right for having been two of the original actual revolters). A young woman and her daughter promptly jumped up and gave them their seats for the ride.

Elegantly scented toiletries, plus a sewing kit and shoe shine sponge. A safe. CNN and BBC on the flat screen TV. Good closet space. Great water pressure. While it is fun to have the windows open, they do shut well and block out street noice satisfactorily.

Mini-fridge/bar, but no coffee maker.

Across the street from the Metro stop (away from the river) is a full sized Spar grocery store. Always handy for some healthier meal choices. Down the street from the hotel is a bar serving Belgian Delerium Tremens beer. My son insists it is the best beer in the world.

We loved a package deal from the Gellert Spa - a "Mix" that included both the spa and a wonderful multi-course meal at the Gellert hotel. We had been blessed by the weather, so sat out on the hotel patio and dined on truly delicious and unique things and sipped wine. I'd highly recommend the package.

Other don't misses - Hero's Square and the markets, especially the Central Hall one on the Pest side of LIberty bridge. You will see foods you've never seen before! You have to bring back a stash of paprika!!

For getting to the airport, the Metro red line to Deak ter, and then the blue line to K-something*K-something (the very last stop in the south-east direction). When you get out, you are at a REALLY nice shopping center. Don't get to distracted if you actually have to catch a place. The walk to the airport bus is well marked with an overhead plane symbol. The bus is 200E, and it is parked just across the street and up bit. Easy to spot because it is the one one which people are taking suitcases. It was running every 10 minutes when we were there. The overall trip from the hotel to the airport takes about a hour, but it would be good to allow some extra. I've forgotten the rate for a single ticket since I had the week pass, but I think it is only the equivalent of about $2.

You'll be fortunate to get this hotel if you are bidding Priceline.

Romelle

[Romelle]

Just so I don't chase anyone away from the Art'Otel with my fuss about too-firm beds - yesterday I filled out a survey from the hotel being generally positive but also noting the firm bed issue and my solution. I got back the following email this morning:

"Thank you for taking the time to complete our guest satisfaction survey. We are thrilled to see that you enjoyed your time at the hotel.

I am happy to inform you that we are currently refurbishing our bedrooms and as part of the process all rooms will be equipped with new beds and mattresses with a memory foam on top. I genuinely hope that upon your next visit these new beds and mattresses will fulfill your expectations concerning bed comfort.

On behalf of our entire staff at PPHE Hotel Group we thank you for your business and we hope to see you again when your travels bring you back to the area!

Sincerely, ....."

So - if you are bidding Budapest and don't like really firm beds, you still can safely bid the Buda side.

Romelle