D8 Hotel, Budapest

Being a relative cheapskate and flying back to London with Wizz Air, the sensible routing was via Budapest which had great airport-town connections (thank you bus 100E) and which was also one of Wizz Air's main hubs. I originally wanted to use the opportunity to try the IC Budapest but was a bit put off by reviews since it was dated etc... I didn't like IC Istanbul, I'm not into something dated.

Interestingly IHG has a property literally adjacent to the IC (same block, different road) called the D8 in central Budapest. A non-chain-branded IHG hotel? Sign me up!

What is your Priority Club status?
Diamond Ambassador

Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay?
Yes.

Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Booked a Standard Double Room, received the same. The hotel has only Standard Double Rooms, Standard Twin Rooms, and Family Room, so... honestly I don't think there's really any way to upgrade people sensibly at this hotel.

I didn't receive an upgrade or was told I received an upgrade, but I have a feeling the Diamond status made them put me on the 8th floor, which is the only floor to have balconies and seems to have slightly bigger rooms than the rest of the Standard Rooms.

How are the rooms?
No complaints personally. Some might find it a bit small for 2. There's a balcony as well, with quite decent views (I was on the 8th floor, so I guess that helps) [also note: I think only 8th floor rooms have balconies], but obviously too cold to use this time of the year in Budapest.

How is the exec. lounge?
NA.

What was good and what was bad?

GOOD:
1) Location is GREAT. It's a 7 minute walk from Deák Ferenc tér, so easy access to the metro lines, and to the airport (via the very convenient 10-minute-frequency 100E bus). It's literally very near to the Chain Bridge as well, which is currently undergoing maintenance. Within walking distance to the rest of the city, like the Parliament Building, or Dohany St Synagogue, or when the renovation of the Chain Bridge is complete, to Buda Castle and Fisherman's Bastion as well.
2) Service - Concierges are friendly, the person who checked me in even went "I've been expecting you, Mr. MeltingAlf", which is quite surreal given I wasn't greeted like that at the (currently) 20-room Hotel Indigo Larnaca.
3) It feels new. Yeah it's built in 2018, so it... is?

3a) Breakfast was great, especially with the small (but very tasty) selection of Hungarian charcuterie. Don't bother with the scrambled eggs, but everything else made me happy and made me full for the rest of the day. It's also included as part of your rate, so... yeah!

NEUTRAL
1) Check-in process can be a bit slow. Surprised they didn't do a pre-auth prior to arrival when I booked on an advance rate. The Hotel Indigo Larnaca, on the other hand, did, even though I booked on a flexible rate.
2) Space is a bit small if you're not used to it, but admittedly not any smaller than a citizenM (which I take as the gold standard in this category). Usage of space is very smart, though.

BAD:
1) Bathroom - I didn't exactly work out if there is a way to have blinds on in the bathroom... So to those on the top floor across the street who saw me shower, I'm sorry. Those full-length panels were great for my view but ehhhhh not for everyone though! It'll fog up when you shower anyway, but. welp. Also, the lack of storage spaces in the bathroom is a bit appalling. Hard to fit used clothes on those shelving that were meant only for small cups.
2) Blankets - god, there were TWO standard-size blankets on that queen bed, which is great if you're sleeping with your significant other that steals your blankets, but not when you're alone. And they were a tad bit too thin.

Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return?
Yes. 96 EUR, central Budapest, booked three days before arrival. Rather than paying the exorbitant prices of a IC, Sofitel, Kempinski, Marriott, and the Ritz, all of them in the vicinity of the D8 (and most of which are a bit dated), the D8 is a no-brainer especially if you're visiting Budapest and would like something comfortable enough. This, alongside my Wizz Air flight(s), were cheaper than taking Aegean back to London. Would definitely return.