So, a quick update on this hotel.

I went to Budapest again last weekend and after a nice stay at the Hotel Nemzeti MGallery in January, this time I decided to go back to Mercure Budapest Korona, mainly because of the location, which is much better in my opinion and serves my needs better. The hotel is close to the city centre and most sights, plus, since I always go by car, there is a very cheap parking garage nearby where the price for the whole weekend (from Friday evening until Monday morning) is just 10 EUR (as opposed to 20 EUR per day in the hotel garage). For those that arrive by plane, the airport bus stops just outside the hotel, so it's very convenient.

So this is the situation at the moment:

- The Privilege lounge is now open for breakfast only, with a very nice selection of food, juices etc. and very nice staff. This is a big plus for this hotel. It's nice to have a quiet place for breakfast with very few people around and the food is excellent.

- Evening snacks and drinks (wine, beer and soft drinks) are still served at the Winestone restaurant from 5 to 8 PM. The snacks are the same as in photos in my previous report. The restaurant staff are, unfortunately, quite cold and reserved. I wish snacks were served at the lounge as well, but I guess it's easier (and cheaper) for them this way.

- Platinum/Diamond members get a 10 % discount at the Winestone restaurant.

- Free weekend breakfast for Diamond members (even though the hotel is not on the Accor list of hotels offering free weekend breakfast). I suppose it's free for Platinum members as well since it's served in the lounge, but I'm not sure. I'll have to check when I go back to Platinum status.

- The swimming pool is closed and won't reopen ever from what I understand.

- Still no slippers, not even in Privilege rooms.

- Toiletries by Elemental herbology in large dispensers. Nothing too exciting, but not bad either and certainly much better than that crap Mercure hotels used to have.

- Welcome amenity wasn't very impressive, but at least it was waiting in the room, along with a kind note:




Still, I have to say I had a great time and was very happy with the treatment I received. The receptionists were very nice and I was even thanked for my loyalty to Accor. They honored my request to be upgraded to room 888, which in other hotels would be considered at least a junior suite. There's no door between the two parts, but it has a separate living room with a sofa, a table and TV, a kettle and a Nespresso machine, and a bedroom with its own TV, a desk and a fridge (no minibar). You also have a very nice view of the Citadella and even a part of the Buda castle from this room.

The price was 108 EUR per night, which I thought was great value for money.