Originally Posted by
arlflyer
I know that this is a common sentiment with respect to this property, but frankly I never really understood it - I found the WestEnd Hilton to be preferable just by virtue of it being on the Pest side; I also personally liked to spend time in District XIII (some of my favorite restaurants etc. are there). Agree that the HGI (which opened more recently than my last visit) is better yet, and also completely agree on the Prague property.
Yes. But people like us who are familiar with the city have no problem staying in various locations. The person planning their first visit has no idea. I like this hotel, and the Radisson on the other side of the train station, mainly because it is next to the train station. As I can catch the regional train from Nyugati to the airport station (and then take a quick ride on the city bus to the terminal). Much easier than using the metro/bus combo, or even the express city bus they now have in service. And really, the main reason I am in Budapest is to start travel to the States. Because for some reason, fares for BUD-LAX seem to be the lowest for ex-Europe tickets in many instances. In all cabins.
My comment, though, was actually less about individual travelers and more about the seemingly insatiable demand of the river cruise-industrial complex, many of whose guests are Americans in their 60s and older, and thus for whom I would think Hilton would have a strong positive brand association.
But aren't those people staying overnight on board those river cruise boats, like Viking Cruises? Regardless, I agree that Hilton's brand presence in Budapest is pretty weak. Even Marriott has about half a dozen properties there now. And Accor has an even much larger footprint there.