F or my second night in Budapest, I stayed at the Courtyard by Marriott Budapest City Center, which is located near the Blaha Lujza station of the 2 Metro line.
The walk is approximately ten minutes to the Danube River, if that; but in addition to the subway line, you can also take trams as well. It is also close to shopping, banks and currency exchange places. You can also rent bicycles just outside of the hotel.
This hotel property is located in a building which looks like a small mall; but the entrance is located on körút József through a seemingly inconspicuous revolving door, as shown in the photograph at the top.
The lobby area is small — as is the area to check in, with only three stations for the front desk staff and concierge. However — from the moment I checked in to the moment I checked out, the service was excellent; and the staff was helpful and friendly. Whether you need to find out where to find paprika and what kind to get; or if you need to leave your bag after you check out free of charge if you have a late flight like I did, just ask them. They are more than happy to help.
The hotel property was nice and clean; and the elevators were fast every time I needed to use them. I never had to wait more than 15 seconds for an elevator. I took one up to the fifth floor, where my room was located.
If no one was in the hallway for a while, the lights remain dim; and sensors from your movement activate the hallway lights to brighten as you walk to the room.
The room was larger than a typical hotel room, as shown in the photographs below:
The bed in which I slept was too firm for my taste — and I usually do not mind firm. This minor item is probably my harshest criticism with this hotel property.
The flat-screen television had my name on it, welcoming me to the hotel property. For some reason, it malfunctioned just before I took the picture.
There were three amenity items: bergamot and tea tree shampoo, grapefruit and mint shower gel, and a tiny bar of ginger and lemongrass vegetable-based facial soap. I am not a fragrance person; but the ones they had were pleasant and quite refreshing.
The sixth floor had a fitness center which can be used by guests free of charge. Internet Wi-Fi access was included with the room; but you had to agree to “pay” for it to access it. I was never charged for Internet service; and it worked rather well.
Breakfast was included in the room rate. I went downstairs to the restaurant and it was quiet, not realizing that it was not opening for another ten minutes. I went back to my room — only to return at 6:45, which was 15 minutes after the restaurant opened — and it was overrun by mainly Americans. How did they all descend on breakfast so fast?!?
The breakfast was a buffet, with scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, a variety of several breads which included croissants both plain and with chocolate, cold sliced deli meats and cheeses, fresh fruit and salad items, two types of yogurt, and beverages such as water, coffee, tea and juices. I mainly ate the fruits and breads, which were very good but not excellent. I wished that this buffet included smoked fish, as it already had capers, lemon slices and other items one might enjoy with smoked fish.
If you are searching for a relatively inexpensive hotel property at which to stay, consider the Courtyard by Marriott Budapest City Center. No, you will not have a spectacular view of the Danube River like the Budapest Marriott Hotel; but it is within walking distance to most of the sites in central Budapest. It has the right combination of service, cleanliness and convenience which will fit into many budgets.
