In Budapest I’m staying at the legendary Budapest Hilton up on the hill by the Fisherman’s Bastion, overlooking parliament on the other side of the Danube.

Location

The Budapest Hilton is part of the historic Buda Castle compound. The Fisherman’s Bastion was completed in 1905, when the Austro-Hungarian empire was already in its final death throes. The area has been beautifully restored and is well maintained. Especially at night, the place looks lovely, with all the old houses beautifully illuminated.

Check-In

The last time I visited Budapest, the Hilton was in the middle of a major overhaul. So this time I get to see what the final result looks like. The layout of the lobby area is a bit strange, as the sitting area and lifts are off to the side, away from the reception desks. Check-in is quickly done. The young lady hands me my room card and wishes me a pleasant stay.

The Service & Staff

The staff at the hotel are a bit of a mixed bag. The reception team is friendly and welcoming. They’re professional and efficient in their work and speak very good English. With the waiting staff, it’s a bit different. Some of them are really great and quite funny, whereas others look like they’re just so not interested in being there.

Superior King with Danube View

If you’re staying at the Hilton Budapest, you really need to have a room with a view, because it is quite spectacular. Off to my left, I have the parliament building, and to me right I can see part of the bastions.

The room is a good size for one person. It has a King double with a nice, firm mattress. Next to the window is an armchair with a footrest, although the view is a bit limited when you’re sitting in it, as the window sill is quite high up.

The bathroom is small and has a shower only. The cosmetics are by Crabtree and have an unpleasant chemical smell. The shower is not bad and passes the Knight of Malta shower test. The pressure is good and there is minimal spillage. My only complaint is that the temperature dial is a bit temperamental. What is noticeable about the bathroom is the complete absence of any amenities like a comb, dental kit, or anything else of the sort.

Amenities

The room has a kettle and a Nespresso machine. Small tubs of cream are also available. Other than that, though, the minibar is empty and is only stocked on request.

In the wardrobe there are bathrobes and slippers. The usual amenities, like a shoe mit or sewing kit, are missing. The wardrobe has four sliding doors. The lights in the wardrobe go on when you slide the doors open. The problem is, though, that the doors won’t stay closed and keep sliding open. Especially at night it’s a bit inconvenient because the lights keep going on. I end up having to stuff tissue paper between the doors to keep them from sliding open again during the night and waking me up.

Dining

I only have breakfast at the hotel, which is served in the main restaurant on the ground floor. The breakfast buffet is quite extensive, and the view overlooking the ramparts is rather cool.

The Hilton Honors Lounge is located on the third floor. It’s spacious and comfortable. The breakfast selection is a bit limited. However, they serve light snacks in the evenings, from 16h30 to 18h00, and they’re rather nice and quite substantial.

Conclusion

The Budapest Hilton on Buda Hill has been around for decades. As far as the location is concerned, you can hardly beat it. The staff are mostly friendly, but a bit inconsistent and unpredictable. Other than that, it’s a typical Hilton, with its minimalist service and very generic interior design. You constantly have the feeling that they could do so much better, even with just a bit of extra effort. There’s nothing wrong with the hotel, but it just seems a bit soulless.

As far as Budapest in general is concerned, I think most people will agree that the old part and the centre of town are quite grand and spectacular. However, even after all these years, half the buildings look as though the only sensible thing to do would be to just tear them down before they collapse on their own. At the same time, prices have increased substantially, so that you somehow end up having this permanent feeling of being ripped off.

Season’s Greetings

It’s Christmas eve, which means, at least here in Europe, that more or less everything will soon shut down until the new year. So, I figured I would do the same and let you good people celebrate the holidays in peace and quiet, without the relentless onslaught of my posts.

Thanks to all those of you who have visited, and especially those who also found the time to leave a comment. I love hearing from you! I will be back online in the new year. Until then, I wish you all a happy holiday, all the best for 2026, and safe travels.

William