DISCUSSION for Hilton Honors Hotels in Budapest, Hungary {HUN}
Apr 8, 2005, 9:42 pm
#31
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Originally Posted by martinplas
Well 777 neither of these Hiltons is like the ADT in Paris or anywhere near a Four Seasons. The Buda Hilton is better looking at night than in the daytime and more than a little worn. However my entire impression of both Budapest and Prague was just that,old ,raped communist countries coming out of a cacoon.I did stay at the 4 seasons in Prague and it was spectacular. The Hilton in Budapest does have some character and to me that made up for the old worn look. It is part of a old monestary,and the lounge has fantastic views of the river and the old monestary.Our room looked over an old Church that was lit up beautifully at night and made a romantic view for the two of us.This is not a buisness Hotel ,but they do have a buisness center and high speed internet in the center
The Castle Hill Hilton has a mix of horror stories and those that absolutely loved it. Some of the things said were not to kind regarding the staff attitude
Very divided opinions
The West End property reports are below.
I am thinking about doing one night for the view and moving over to where I think I might be more comfortable.
If I close a few good deals between now and May I may treat myself to the 4 Seasons.As of now I am definately Hilton bound !!
If for any reason I am breaking rules or T&C by posting other reviewers comments below not my own I appreciate the moderator deleting the below.
Had a fantastic stay just before Christmas in the Hilton Westend. We got a great deal on lastminute which included a full hot buffet breakfast every morning. The staff couldn't have done more for us and were very helpful giving advice on what to do in the city and where to eat etc.. The room was a good size, not perhaps as luxurious as what I would have expected for a five star hotel but extremely comfortable nevertheless. The location of the hotel couldn't have been better. Get out of the lift on the ground floor, walk through the door on your right and you're in a 400shop shopping centre with some fantastic clothes shops (and a massive food court on the bottom floor). From the bottom of the shopping centre, you can access the metro system which is also very handy. However, if you fancy walking, in c20 minutes, you can reach the Buda side. We preferred the Pest side because it was more modern and lively, but you should have a walk around the castle. Have coffee and cake in Cafe Gerbeaud, an opulent tea room on the square near the river. You will not regret it!
All in all, an excellent stay in the Hilton. One word of advice though, the Hilton Taxis outside the hotel are quite alot more expensive than ordinary taxis which you can pick up outside the hotel
The Hilton Castle Hill is the luxury tourist one in Buda with superb views in a very relaxed area (apart from the hordes of tourists!) and the Hilton West End is the one primarily designed and located for busines people in a busy main road location.(no guest lounges)
The contrast betwen the two Hotels and halves of the City as others have said could not be greater. We preferred the West End Hilton because it is in the Paris like part of the city (wide tree lined Boulevards and hustle and bustle )and it is conveniently located in the best shopping centre in the City.
The Hilton West End is only 4 years old and won best hotel in 2001; no compromise on the room sizes they are generous with bath and separate shower and interenet facility in the hotel which was useful for tracking down our lugagge- thank you KLM; we arrived Saturday night luggage arrived Monday morning and Tuesday evening!
(Suggest you always travel with one days change of clothing and toiletries and essentials in hand luggage-we learnt the hard way!)
The West End Shopping Centre is on a par with Meadow Hall and Trafford Centre in the UK with supermarket , multi screens and excellent food court and an amazing garden at the top of it.
Unlike Castle Hill you can pop down interesting side streets and pop into ordinary pubs and cafes.
By my calculations its is also offers better discounts than Hilton Castle Hill because it presumabaly is less busy at weekends. For our 4 nights stay I was quoted an additional £100 per person for the "proper"one.
So its a very reasonable alternative depending on what you plan to do;like all things in life you pays your money and takes your choice!
Can walk to City Centre and St Stephens Bascilica(which is awe inspiring) along Vaci Street from this location.
P.S For restaurant reviews go to Budapest Week newspaper on the net- Restaurants- for superb web reviews of the top 30 restaurants. Gundel for Sunday brunch has become compulsory!
Budapest is a city of two halves in every respect. From the division between the old Buda and the new Pest sides of the Danube the dichotomy of the city extends outwards. I stayed in the Hilton not long after it, and the West End shopping centre, were opened. They both represent the newer side of the city that is replacing the older and slightly crumbling part of the preious 40 years.
I am not one who appreciates 'character' in a hotel. To me that means that the carpets will have the patina of many feet, and the toilets that of many ... visits. Urgh. So to say that the Hilton is completely characterless is, in this instance, a great compliment. It is a superb hotel in every respect. It is classy, well appointed, meticulously clean, and has a pleasant bar. It is reasonably close to the centre of town, and has its own entrance to the sanitised world of the West End shopping centre.
Reaching the hotel is easy - from the airport a hotel bus will drop you off at the door, and return you when your visit is over. It is not expensive.
BUT
If you can, stay in the Hilton in the Castle District in Buda. It is so much more relaxed there that it will be where I will stay should I return to Budapest.
Aug 2, 2005, 7:01 pm
#32
Join Date: Jan 2003
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Bump
Anyone have any recent stays at the Buda Hilton? I am making the final plans for the European Vacation. Staying at the end of October for two or three nights. Turning Diamond this week and looking to enjoy the benefits of my hard road work with Hilton.
SCA
SCA
Aug 4, 2005, 12:09 pm
#33
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Orange County, CA
Programs: One Pass, SGP, HHonors,HGP
Posts: 8
Buda Hilton
Originally Posted by SAnger3494
Anyone have any recent stays at the Buda Hilton? I am making the final plans for the European Vacation. Staying at the end of October for two or three nights. Turning Diamond this week and looking to enjoy the benefits of my hard road work with Hilton.
SCA
SCA
If you have not been before Budapest is AWESOME - so much do and see.
I was recently at the Budapest Hilton on a trip to Eastern Europe, stayed one night here and two nights across the river in Pest at the Sofitel.
Hilton is just okay, rooms nothing special and sort of worn. Some rooms have terrific river and city views. This location is nice but not as convenient to the subways, city or main shopping areas. The Hilton is up on a hill overlooking Pest and the Danube with a ton of tourist shops and a few cafes just out-front.
WARNING:
Food and bar drinks are OUTRAGEOUS at this Hilton. A small bottle of Evian at the lobby is equivalent to $6.00. I usually do not complain about Hotel drink or food prices but I was shocked here.
I would say if you are using HH points and the nights are free it's worth it, otherwise I'd suggest Sofitel or Four Seasons across the river for more luxurious accommodations.
This Hilton seems to have an older clientele 50+ while the Sofitel clientele is younger and more hip. The Sofitel is currently undergoing Lobby renovation as well and has a very nice indoor pool, sauna and workout facility.
I did not notice if the Hilton had these amenities, I believe they do.
Aug 4, 2005, 3:32 pm
#34
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: UK
Posts: 802
Originally Posted by SAnger3494
Anyone have any recent stays at the Buda Hilton? I am making the final plans for the European Vacation. Staying at the end of October for two or three nights. Turning Diamond this week and looking to enjoy the benefits of my hard road work with Hilton.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...66#post4234766
They treat Diamonds very well.
Nov 29, 2006, 6:49 am
#35
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Salem, VA
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Posts: 50
Hilton Budapest hotel versus Hilton Budapest WestEnd hotel
We are looking to travel to Budapest next June for 5 days. Both of these hotels get great reviews on TripAdvisor. Which is the best hotel from your experience?
Currently we can get the Hilton Budapest for 140,000 points, where we can get the Hilton Budapest WestEnd for 72,000 (a rare point saver trip). Points aren't an option, so I'm going to reserve both now, and then cancel the one I don't want later.
Looking to all of you for great suggestions!!!
Currently we can get the Hilton Budapest for 140,000 points, where we can get the Hilton Budapest WestEnd for 72,000 (a rare point saver trip). Points aren't an option, so I'm going to reserve both now, and then cancel the one I don't want later.
Looking to all of you for great suggestions!!!
Nov 29, 2006, 6:55 am
#36
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Orlando, FL, USA
Posts: 2,398
When looking at these hotels for a trip to Budapest last summer we saw that many FTers thought the West End was a little out of the mainstream of action and VERY quiet/isolated at night. The other Hilton was closer to the action and more accessible. If you do a search on Hilton Budapest you should find lots of good stuff on both hotels. Actually, we decided to stay at the Intercontinental right on the Danube and loved it. You can check out through your search about the views from the Hiltons. In any case, we were delighted with the beauty of Buda and Pest and with the excellent and easy transportation and touring options. A wonderful city. Good luck.
Nov 29, 2006, 7:30 am
#37
Join Date: Apr 2006
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Business or pleasure
I've spent over 100 nights in the WestEnd Hilton owing to its location, i.e. close to our office. It's adjacent to a large shopping mall and roughly 10 minutes from the centre.
The Budapest Hilton is on the top of the hill overlooking the city and next to the castle. A more obvious choice if you're there for pleasure or a romantic weekend.
The Budapest Hilton is on the top of the hill overlooking the city and next to the castle. A more obvious choice if you're there for pleasure or a romantic weekend.
Nov 29, 2006, 7:35 am
#38
Join Date: Apr 2003
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I stayed at the WestEnd last year and didn't think the location was too bad. Then again, I don't mind walking. The hotel is attached to a popular mall and is next to a train station. If I remember correctly, it took me about 10 minutes to walk to Parliament, and probably 20 minutes to get to the Hilton Budapest (I walk fast though). The WestEnd staff was fantastic and I received an upgrade to the executive floor.
If you want to stay near all the touristy zones, the Hilton Budapest is probably the place to be. I would consider the WestEnd to be more of a business hotel.
If you want to stay near all the touristy zones, the Hilton Budapest is probably the place to be. I would consider the WestEnd to be more of a business hotel.
Nov 29, 2006, 7:38 am
#39
Join Date: Jun 2001
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Did a Pointsaver stay at Hilton Budapest Westend last february with a buddy of mine (Exec floor upgrade as Diamond). Chose the Westend, since we were mainly looking for nightlife location and not so much for daytime sights and touristic stuff. The Hilton Budapest is a more interesting location from a touristic point of view (in the castle area), and had I gone with my wife I'd probably have prefered the Hilton Budapest for the location and historic surroundings. But then again pointsavers are always nice !
I checked out the Hilton Budapest when walking by, and apart from the historic athmosphere, the hotels seem comparable in standard.
The Exec lounge in the Westend was a great place to start a boys' night out anyway. Free booze and nobody but us to the disturb the lounge attendant.
I checked out the Hilton Budapest when walking by, and apart from the historic athmosphere, the hotels seem comparable in standard.
The Exec lounge in the Westend was a great place to start a boys' night out anyway. Free booze and nobody but us to the disturb the lounge attendant.
Nov 29, 2006, 7:45 am
#40
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During our visit to Budapest last April we stayed at both properties and liked them both for slightly different reasons.
Hilton Buda situated on Castle Hill the view cannot be beat by many Hiltons worldwide ( far better than the Cavalieri) we upgraded to one of the huge corner suites looking towards the river and overlooking the Cathedral.
Area is quite nice, lots of nice restaurants etc the area can however get overrun by hordes of tourists.
Descent Executive lounge (if they could just keeping the kids from running around) and fair concierge staff.
Interent is available for a fee in the rooms.
Hilton Westend is downtown on the Pest side location is very convenient as is it close to the train station and adjorned a newish shopping mall.
Got upgraded to a nice modern suite on the Executive floor.
Lounge is smaller, but quite a bit better than the Buda Hilton, free internet is available ( by ethernet cable) great staff.
Their main restaurant was undergoing renovations..but who dines in hotel
restaurants anyway?
As mentioned, as in most cities the streets can be a bit isolated at night but personally we felt very safe walking alone even late at night.
Visting restaurants in that area etc gave more of a feel for how the locals lived and a nice escape from the tourists.
My recommendation would be to spend time at both if possible.
mike
Hilton Buda situated on Castle Hill the view cannot be beat by many Hiltons worldwide ( far better than the Cavalieri) we upgraded to one of the huge corner suites looking towards the river and overlooking the Cathedral.
Area is quite nice, lots of nice restaurants etc the area can however get overrun by hordes of tourists.
Descent Executive lounge (if they could just keeping the kids from running around) and fair concierge staff.
Interent is available for a fee in the rooms.
Hilton Westend is downtown on the Pest side location is very convenient as is it close to the train station and adjorned a newish shopping mall.
Got upgraded to a nice modern suite on the Executive floor.
Lounge is smaller, but quite a bit better than the Buda Hilton, free internet is available ( by ethernet cable) great staff.
Their main restaurant was undergoing renovations..but who dines in hotel
restaurants anyway?
As mentioned, as in most cities the streets can be a bit isolated at night but personally we felt very safe walking alone even late at night.
Visting restaurants in that area etc gave more of a feel for how the locals lived and a nice escape from the tourists.
My recommendation would be to spend time at both if possible.
mike
Nov 30, 2006, 5:07 am
#41
Join Date: Jan 2005
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Having stayed in both last year my vote goes for the Hilton WestEnd. We were upgraded to a suite and the lounge is great. Large selection of drinks and food throughout the day and very friendly staff.
We didn't find the hotel out of the way as we just took the metro a couple of stops to the centre of the centre - took minutes and cost pennies. Also if you don't mind walking there's a square near the hotel that's full of restaurants and bars - about a 10 minute stroll
We didn't find the hotel out of the way as we just took the metro a couple of stops to the centre of the centre - took minutes and cost pennies. Also if you don't mind walking there's a square near the hotel that's full of restaurants and bars - about a 10 minute stroll
Nov 30, 2006, 5:16 am
#42
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Houston,Texas,USA
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This is available on the Hilton Honors Website ,Vacation Award
Budapest: BUDA'S BEST in Budapest, Hungary
Spend three nights and enjoy complimentary breakfast and more in Budapest's best hotel!
The Hilton Budapest is situated in the beautifully restored Buda Castle District and your upgraded room has a remarkable view over the river Danube. The Matthias Church, Hungary's gothic coronation church, is located right next to the hotel. A wine tasting* in the traditional "Faust Wine Cellar" is included in your package. You have free entrance to the Varkert Casino and will be treated with a welcome drink*. Furthermore, you have the choice of a city tour to discover Budapest's best places or concert tickets to the famous Matthias Church for two (program permitting).
*Subject to local laws.
HHonors points: 110,000
Reward Code: BUDRP
We stayed there and the Hotel GM ,loves FT and arranged our tours with a private driver to the Parliment, and Wine Country .The lounge is great and a wine Cellar in the basment is in tunnels and a cave. The Hotel is built on an old Monestary
Budapest: BUDA'S BEST in Budapest, Hungary
Spend three nights and enjoy complimentary breakfast and more in Budapest's best hotel!
The Hilton Budapest is situated in the beautifully restored Buda Castle District and your upgraded room has a remarkable view over the river Danube. The Matthias Church, Hungary's gothic coronation church, is located right next to the hotel. A wine tasting* in the traditional "Faust Wine Cellar" is included in your package. You have free entrance to the Varkert Casino and will be treated with a welcome drink*. Furthermore, you have the choice of a city tour to discover Budapest's best places or concert tickets to the famous Matthias Church for two (program permitting).
*Subject to local laws.
HHonors points: 110,000
Reward Code: BUDRP
We stayed there and the Hotel GM ,loves FT and arranged our tours with a private driver to the Parliment, and Wine Country .The lounge is great and a wine Cellar in the basment is in tunnels and a cave. The Hotel is built on an old Monestary
Dec 1, 2006, 1:48 am
#43
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,866
The views from the Hilton Budapest are spectacular. It sits on the top of the hill overlooking the city. Nice area to walk around in the evening. The hotel is like adjacent/built on remains of an old structure like a monestary if I can recall.
Dec 1, 2006, 8:56 am
#44
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We did the BUDRP package in September (we got it for the old price of 75,000 points ) plus an extra day.
Upgraded (but not a suite) and the lounge was very, very good. No kids running around, either.
The location is good for tourists, and we got the free tour, too. You also get free airport shuttles if you buy the package. It's actually a cab paid for by the hotel, but we missed it on arrival (we were late getting in) so I paid for a shuttle bus.
Other than that, it's a beautiful city with lots to do. There's apparently a busy ex-pat contingent in town (with their own magazine) and seemed to be a very safe city.
I'd sure like to go back again.
) plus an extra day.Upgraded (but not a suite) and the lounge was very, very good. No kids running around, either.
The location is good for tourists, and we got the free tour, too. You also get free airport shuttles if you buy the package. It's actually a cab paid for by the hotel, but we missed it on arrival (we were late getting in) so I paid for a shuttle bus.
Other than that, it's a beautiful city with lots to do. There's apparently a busy ex-pat contingent in town (with their own magazine) and seemed to be a very safe city.
I'd sure like to go back again.
Dec 2, 2006, 1:46 pm
#45
Join Date: Sep 2006
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One caveat on the WestEnd: Make sure you have lounge access or your rate includes breakfast. I stayed at a time when I had no status on a point stretcher award which did not include breakfast. Their breakfast buffet cost an astonishing 30 euros per person, making it one of the more expensive meals we had on the stay!