Carlton Hotel Budapest

The Carlton Hotel Budapest occupies a purpose-built seven-story building constructed in the 1990s. Decor is refined and tasteful, if generic. In the lobby, pinkish purple walls are paired with cream and brown tiled floors that match the upholstered couches and armchairs. A crosshatch pattern reappears throughout as a unifying design detail -- on the drapes, columns, reception desk, and bar, for example. The breakfast room is bright, with a wall of floor-to-ceiling windows and stylish accents including upholstered dining chairs, molded ceilings, and a modern chandelier and sconce lighting. While the decor lacks the personality of some of Budapest's historic hotels and the amenities of some of the larger chain hotels, this spot is well-kept and offers high-end services like a dedicated concierge. With its exceptional location near major attractions, most of the guests here are tourists.

The hotel is situated on a charming cobblestone street in the foothills of the Fisherman’s Bastion on the Buda side of Budapest. Plenty of bars, restaurants, and major tourist attractions are within easy walking distance, including the Danube River and Chain Bridge (three minutes away on foot), the Budapest Castle Hill Funicular (also a three-minute walk), Buda Castle (a six-minute walk), and Fisherman's Bastion (a nine-minute walk). St. Stephen's Basilica, Andrassy Avenue, and the Hungarian Parliament building are all about a 20-minute walk away. For sights farther out, the nearest bus stop is three minutes away on foot; from here, guests can get to Liszt Ferenc Square in under 20 minutes. Budapest Airport is a little over an hour via public transit, and the hotel can arrange airport transfers. 

The hotel offers Single, Twin, and Triple Rooms with air-conditioning, safes, flat-screen TVs with cable, mini-fridges with water, and coffee- and tea-making facilities. Rooms feature nice wood floors, wood wainscoting, and white walls. Some rooms have pinkish accent walls and headboards may be either quilted brown faux leather or made of wood. Overall, rooms are clean and well-kept, though some guests might find the decor old fashioned. Entry-level rooms are compact, while upgraded rooms offer a little more space and feature extras such as balconies with tables and chairs and inlaid wood furniture. Bathrooms are snug, with odd beige and white-striped tiling, walk-in showers, toilets, and small sinks. Hairdryers and basic toiletries are provided. Some rooms face a courtyard -- these rooms tend to be quieter when the windows are opened, but some higher-floor rooms that face the street have views of the Danube. Floors are separated into smoking and non-smoking levels. 

The hotel doesn't have a ton of features, though there is a lobby bar and a free breakfast buffet with a decent selection of hot and cold items. Free coffee and light snacks are available throughout the day, but there's no on-site restaurant. There's also a 24-hour reception desk and a concierge who can assist with organizing tours, renting cars, airport transfers, laundry, and arranging childcare. The hotel has computers and a printer for guest use, and Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel. Underground garage parking is available for a fee. Dogs are welcome.