Boutique hotels in Budapest for a stylish Hungarian city break

Aria Hotel is the ideal spot for an indulgent weekend of unwinding. Tucked away in the basement, you’ll find a sensual underground spa that’s home to a heated swimming pool, whirlpool and several heat rooms, including an infrared sauna and aromatic steam room. Work out on the aqua bikes before unwinding with a musically inspired spa treatment. Once refreshed, you’ll be ready to explore further.

The hotel offers luxury rooms within a neoclassical building that dates back to the 1800s. Stretch out on a king-sized bed and listen to music on the in-room iPad, perhaps with a hot cappuccino from your Nespresso machine. The bedrooms adjoin a dark onyx-walled bathroom, with luxuriously scented Molton Brown toiletries. If you’re seeking a truly personal experience with family or friends, you have the unique opportunity to create your own suite by connecting different bedrooms and a parlour.

Built in the shadow of St Peter’s Basilica, the hotel occupies a prime position for exploring – the city’s opera house, parliament building and Széchenyi Chain Bridge are all within walking distance. After an afternoon exploring, return to the High Note SkyBar, which sits atop the roof and offers impressive views of the Basilica. Sip an exotic cocktail before venturing downstairs to sample the farm-to-plate cuisine of the Stradivari Restaurant.

The art nouveau bedrooms at Opera Garden Hotel are decorated in deep greens and browns, highlighting the original 19th-century details such as the decorative ceiling motifs and etchings. If you fancy a quiet night in, you can make use of the handy kitchenette, which comes complete with an electric hotplate and fridge.

When morning comes, take a table in the courtyard and fill your plate at the breakfast buffet, which offers hot and cold delicacies. Be sure to ascend the stairs to the sky terrace before leaving. It has a fully retractable transparent roof, so you can admire the far-reaching city views. The rooftop saunas – infrared and Finnish – make the most of the hotel’s vistas: sit back, breathe in the steam and watch clouds float over the spires and streets below.

Opera Garden Hotel and Apartments offers its boutique-style accommodation just a few blocks from the famous Andrássy Street, known locally as Budapest’s own version of the Champs-Élysées. Share a bottle of champagne in the tranquillity of your room, before strolling through the squares and alleys to the city’s glamorous neo-Renaissance opera house.

Fulfil your childhood fantasies by staying in a historic castle fit for a king or queen. The 4-star Baltazár Budapest sits within the UNESCO-protected walls of Buda Castle, which once belonged to the Hungarian kings of Budapest. You’ll find an eclectic lobby with a bright red reception desk that doubles up as a bar, amid the mismatched sofas and vintage suitcases serving as coffee tables.

Unwind in a room worthy of royalty, replete with vintage furniture and the latest technologies including a smart lighting system and music player. With fittings hand-carved from local limestone, sleek Hansgrohe rainfall showers and natural in-room cosmetics by L’Occitane, the bathrooms here provide a sumptuous retreat from the bustling streets outside.

If you’re with your other half, dine al-fresco on the romantic cobblestone terrace, with its sweeping views across the city’s historic quarter. Choose from a menu that includes traditional Hungarian dishes and grilled classics, such as locally reared duck and North Dakotan beef. For a pleasant nightcap, you can take your pick from the extensive gin menu with its fresh garnishes, which include orange, star anise and cinnamon sticks paired to each individual tonic.

Wake up in a contemporary masterpiece at Bohem Art, in the heart of Budapest’s historic district. Steps from the Danube River, it integrates the style of an art gallery with the comforts of a modern hotel. Immerse yourself in the local art scene and sleep in a soundproofed suite designed and decorated by a young Hungarian artist with bright colours, life-size prints and minimalist furniture.

The industrial-style restaurant offers an American-themed buffet breakfast, accompanied by freshly squeezed orange juice and sparkling wine. You can indulge your senses at happy hour, with its red and blue ambient lighting, vast cocktail selection and an assortment of palette-pleasing snacks. For a special occasion, order a chilled bottle of champagne on ice, before venturing out to a live jazz set at Fat Mo’s, a speakeasy-style pub that looks almost unchanged since the Roaring Twenties.

Roam through the imaginatively decorated building and you’ll discover a myriad of artistic details: a giant clock projected onto the side of the dining room, trendy brutalist-style concrete flooring and plush pink velour chairs. Each room is individually decorated with artworks and imaginative furnishings and the larger spaces can be tailored to your group’s needs with extra beds or a cot for little ones.

The dark stone exterior of this former 19th-century doctor’s residence conceals 11 magnificent bedrooms, a suitably grand dining room and three welcoming sitting rooms, each with elaborate marble columns, bare plasterwork and high ceilings. Wander up the sweeping stone staircase to the second floor where you’ll find an honesty bar, complete with pálinka – a locally distilled Hungarian fruit brandy.

Arranged around a central courtyard, no two bedrooms are the same, although each is decorated in a trendy ‘shabby chic’ style, with upcycled furniture and original artwork. Many have been artists’ studios in a former life. If you’re seeking romance, why not book Ludovic’s room? Named after French artist, Ludovic Thiriez, it features a freestanding bathtub in the bedroom, along with a selection of abstract paintings by the artist himself.

Tuck into the continental breakfast buffet, which includes Hungarian cold cuts, seasonal fruit and freshly baked pastries. Feel free to make yourself at home in the grandeur of the dining room, with its herringbone parquet flooring, stuccoed plaster walls and peeling paint. For a quiet morning of relaxation, grab a book from the upstairs library and curl up on a leather chair, perhaps with a drink from the bar.

Step into the welcoming lobby of Buda Castle Fashion, with its quaint barrel-vaulted brick ceiling, charming arched doorways and views through to the manicured courtyard garden. This family-friendly hotel has 25 bedrooms, each with tasteful muted interiors, in shades of beige and brown. If you’re vacationing with children, you can stay in a connecting room – the friendly and hospitable staff will furnish them with cots and extra beds on request.

Buda Castle offers a unique distraction to guests: descend the stairs to the stone-walled cellar and you’ll find the Escape Game, an immersive puzzle experience in which your team must work together to solve clues and escape the maze. Afterwards, you’ll be able to relax in the peaceful surrounds of the bar, which adjoins the lobby and doubles up as a breakfast room. If you’re in need of refreshment, help yourself to the complimentary tea and coffee, before soaking up the atmosphere of this 15th-century merchant’s house.

Get a blissful night of sleep in your comfortable, 21st-century bedroom, before venturing onto the city’s medieval streets. Perched on a hilltop in the medieval quarter, on the Buda side of the river, this hotel is well-positioned for a few days spent among the UNESCO-protected sights.

This 200-year old hotel has four fun room types, including a light and airy heaven-inspired design with white and silver décor and minimalist style furniture. It also comes with a fully-stocked mini bar and Nespresso coffee machine. Luxuriate in your bathroom with its walk-in shower, safe in the knowledge that this sustainability-oriented hotel uses low-energy LED lighting, recycled loo roll and eco-friendly detergents.

With late 18th-century brickwork on display alongside its modern glass atrium, Casati Budapest offers a seamless blend of old and new. Spend a restful morning in the old brick-walled cellar, where you’ll find a Finnish sauna and cosy relaxation room, with comfortable hammocks. For an indulgent treat, book a deep tissue massage in the dark surrounds of the underground treatment room.

Take a leisurely breakfast in the warmth of the central atrium, next to bright walls painted with energetic multi-coloured stripes. You’ll have access to complimentary tea, coffee and biscuits throughout the day. After a full day of sightseeing, sip a cocktail at the Tuk Tuk bar – the signature Matcha T features top quality Japanese green tea and Derrumbes No.3 Mezcal. If you still have energy to burn, keep fit at the gym, with its cardio and strength equipment.

Positioned on an unassuming side street, Parlament is a modern boutique hotel, near Budapest’s eye-catching Gothic Revival parliament building. Nestle into a curved armchair in the candy-coloured lobby, wander over to the high-tech coffee machine and brew yourself a fresh espresso. They’re on the house until 5pm. Later on, you’ll slumber in an art deco-inspired room, with bright white and orange upholstery, polished wooden floors and large bay windows.

Start your day in style with a bloody Mary or mimosa, before sampling the meats, cheeses and fruits of the generous buffet in the glass-roofed breakfast room. Consult the knowledgeable 24-hour concierge to experience Budapest like a local, they’ll arm you with valuable details on the finest Turkish-era bathhouses, most vibrant neighbourhoods and the most spectacular ruin pubs.

After a hectic day of sightseeing, why not spend a few hours in the hotel’s chic wellness area? You’ll be able to sink into the bubbles of the inviting Jacuzzi and warm tired muscles in the sauna. Afterwards, the eclectically-decorated bar is the spot for a crisp glass of prosecco or a complimentary soft drink, tailored to the season.