Hello all,
I just booked a trip to the JW Marriott Bucharest and the Budapest Marriott. Has anyone ever stayed there? Any tips on what is near the hotel? Any experiences? I have never been to either Romania or Hungary so anyone's experiences would be great to hear.

Stayed at the Marriott Budapest last year. Great location right on the Danube. Lovely walking (or taking the tram) along the river promenade. Dinner cruise on the Danube is lovely with the bridges (especially Chain Bridge) sparkling. You can walk across Chain Bridge and then ride the funicular to the top of the Buda hills. Vaci Utca has lots of shops, restaurants, pastry and coffee cafes - easy walk from the Marriott. Visit the museums, churches and neighborhoods just across the river in the Buda hills looking down on the river.

English is still not spoken by everyone (German is the main foreign language), but everyone is helpful. All the Marriott rooms face the river, and the suites are something else...

My wife and I spent a week at the Marriott Budapest a few years ago. It was a very good experience. Be prepared to do a lot of walking - you can see a lot of the city area by taking a short subway trip and then walk around.

The first impression of the hotel isn't much, very industrial grey (unless they have upgraded), but insdie is very nice, and the staff was helpful, very nice, and just a little more formal and reserved than some other places.

If they still do the pastery buffet in the evening be sure to plan for that. We didn't even eat dinner, just had pasteries (get ready for a sugar high ).

Overall a nice place and fun to be in an area that was somewhat unique, not just a typical European location.

Bruce

Mrs. PTravel and I stayed at the Budapest Marriott on an award stay a few years ago. The hotel was nice, and our room spacious, well-appointed and clean. The hotel staff was friendly and very helpful -- as an example, Mrs. PTravel bought a blouse that needed to be tailored and wasn't ready by the time of our departure. The Marriott concieregel arranged for the shop to drop it off at the hotel, and then shipped it to us at home in the US.

Location-wise it's quite convenient -- walking distance to many of the tourist destinations, the main shopping street, and with a tram stop right in front of the hotel. We had a wonderful view of the Danube.

One word of warning about Budapest -- if you're arriving by train, watch out for gypsy thieves in the station, and also taxi drivers (a different kind of thief). The taxi drivers will quote a flat fee that is more than double the metered-charge; if you insist on the meter (as we did), they'll ride you around to rack up higher charges. Taxi drivers and train station thieves notwithstanding, Budapest is a beautiful city with warm and friendly people, intersting sights and fabulous restaurants. Enjoy!

Thanks for the input, I appreciate it. It will be interesting...walking around eastern Europe in January.....probably not the smartest time to go! Nobody at the JW Bucharest?

I have also stayed at Marriott Budapest and agree with all the complementary comments.

My recommendation from the airport is to take Hotel shuttle. It takes you to most hotels includingthe Marriott. Tickets on sale immediately after immigration (if I recall correctly).

Another taxi scam is to give you change back in Rumanian currency which is considerably less in value.

Have an enjoyable trip!