Make the most of these luxurious yet affordable hotels in Budapest

The Iberostar lies close to the Hungarian Parliament and the iconic Basilica. The neighborhood is a kind of gourmet paradise: there are plenty of great Hungarian and international restaurants, for example, Hungarikum Bistro, Iguana Bar & Grill, La Pampa Steakhouse or Trattoria Pomo D’Oro. The riverbank and the Chain Bridge are just a few minutes walk away, as is the Arany János Street Underground Station and will take you pretty much anywhere in the city.

From the moment you walk through the door of the Iberostar you will feel relaxed and ready to indulge in some me-time. The rooms are modern and stylish, the restaurant serves up mouth-watering traditional dishes and the spa area features a whirlpool, sauna and Turkish Hammam.

The Sofitel Budapest Chain Bridge is located in one of the most popular parts of the capital, next to the Lánchíd and Széchenyi Square, on the banks of the Danube. Some of the rooms enjoy views over historic sights such as Buda Castle which is lit up at night and some have balconies with panoramic views of the river. From the hotel, you don’t have to go far to explore the sights of the city – for example, St. Stephen’s Basilica and Parliament – or for shopping – the Váci utca and Andrássy Avenue are within easy walking distance.

Sofitel also offers a range of sporting and water-related experiences: you can try the fitness room’s cardio machines or take a few laps of the indoor swimming pool. The spacious, elegant rooms feature Sofitel MyBed amenities, exclusive toiletries, and luxurious gourmet adventures at the Paris Budapest restaurant and the 8th floor Club Lounge boasting unforgettable views.

The Ritz-Carlton is located in the center of Budapest on Erzsébet Square, a pleasant walk from St. Stephen’s Basilica and the river Danube. Rooms and suites have views over one of Budapest’s many elegant shopping streets. All of the rooms are furnished with modern elegance, with plenty of natural light, plush fabrics, a pastel colour palette, marble bathrooms with separate bathtubs and rain showers, as well as luxury Asprey toiletries.

After a day of exploring the sights and sounds of Budapest, return to your hotel for a few hours in the spa on the 8th floor. The Ritz-Carlton Spa has a swimming pool, whirlpool, steam bath, sauna and spa facilities for you to enjoy and relax in. Fans of gastronomy – and ultimately who isn’t? – gobble up the seasonal Hungarian dishes of the Deák Street Kitchen restaurant and then treat yourself to a cocktail from one of Budapest’s hottest bars, Kupola Bar.

The 5-star Buddha Bar is one of the sexiest hotels in Budapest. The hotel is located at the foot of the Elisabeth Bridge, one of Budapest’s most exclusive shopping streets on Váci Street, in one of Klotild’s palaces built in the 19th century. The mood is a perfect blend of far-eastern Zen philosophy and extravagant design; the rooms and suites feature dark wood furnishings and splashes of red, invoking the atmosphere of Asian zen after which the hotel is modeled.

Spend an afternoon in the Buddhattitude Spa where you can pamper your body and mind. Dive into the Japanese relaxation pool, take a break in the Finnish or infrared sauna, detoxify in the steam bath and finish with a fantastic massage or body treatment.

Next to Blaha Lujza Square, surrounded by restaurants, pubs and theaters, stands the Boscolo hotel, an eclectic building built at the end of the 19th century. This 5-star hotel in the neoclassical style of the Art Nouveau period and the resulting grandeur is astounding. Rooms feature elegant Italian furniture, silk bed linens and murano chandeliers.

When you can bare to leave your room, the spa are awaits you. The relaxation pool was designed by internationally renowned Simone Micheli, inspired by natural elements – water, stone and wind it has a distinctly relaxing quality. After a few hours in the sauna, steam bathing and perhaps even a massage, you’ll leave the spa feeling like a new person. The other charm of this hotel is the New York Café, where the neoclassical theme is reprised with beautiful frescoes and decorated columns.

The Inter-Continental, just like the Sofitel Budapest Chain, is in a prime location: just steps away from the river and next to the Chain Bridge. In the evening, you could have a pleasant walk to the lit-up Parliament, returning slowly back along the banks of the Danube. Close the evening with a sparkling wine-in-hand on the Corso Terrace, with the lights of the Buda Castle just opposite.

The hotel also includes a Health & Fitness Club, so if you are feeling guilty about all the cocktails and delicious Hungarian dishes you’ve consumed, you can relieve your conscience locally. You can choose from the 24-hour gym or indoor swimming pool, but you can also just head there to relax and make the most of the sauna and steam room.

Located in a historic building and rennovated to exceedingly high standards in 2004, the Four Seasons Hotel is located in Széchenyi István Square opposite the Chain Bridge, with unforgettable views of the city. From the hotel you can reach the Buda Castle Quarter by just a 15-20 minute walk, and the Hungarian Parliament and St. Stephen’s Basilica are even closer.

The building retains lots of its original period features and the customary Art Nouvea style that Budapest is known for. The rooms however, continue to be modern and elegant with comfortable furniture and plush bathrooms. The hotel spa features a heated indoor swimming pool, a steam bath, a sauna and a steam room, perfect for relaxing before getting ready to go out in the evening. Downstairs you’ll find the hotel’s elegant bar offers piano music in the evenings, which is the perfect closure – or just beginning – for a typical Budapest night.