Lanchid 19 Hotel

Built in 2007, the seven-story Lanchid 19 Hotel features a modern, square facade with large windows and accordion-style panels with changing colored lights. The lobby houses modern art, beige-and-white tiled floors, slouchy beige armchairs, and suede bench seating. A reception desk extends directly into a lobby bar that's finished with marquee lights. A small hangout area features bright-red molded chairs set against a glossy black wall, while a clear floor shows off the ruins of a 14th-century water tower that once supplied water to Buda Castle -- more of this medieval water tower is preserved in the walls of a basement meeting room. A small central atrium lets in light from overhead, and little glass bridges lead to guest rooms on each level of the hotel. The hotel is a hotspot for both business travelers and tourists, especially couples but also families. 

The hotel sits at the base of Castle Hill right below Buda Castle, along a main road that runs parallel to the Danube River. While it's situated on the Buda side of the city, the Pest side is accessible via the Chain Bridge, just a three-minute walk from the hotel. The Castle Hill funicular, a tram stop, and bus stops are within a five-minute walk and eateries line the street. On the Buda Side, the Zero Kilometer Stone is a three-minute walk and Buda Castle is an 11-minute walk. Guests can also walk to sights on the Pest side, including St. Stephen’s Basilica and the Hungarian Parliament Building, each a 20-minute walk away. The Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport is an hour away via public transport or a half-hour drive without traffic.

The hotel has 45 clean, comfortable rooms and three suites with generally subdued, modern decor, though the style varies from room to room. Entry-level Standard Rooms look sparse, with brown carpeting and bedding, white and tan walls, and white furnishings, but they are sunny thanks to the floor-to-ceiling windows. Standard Room bathrooms are chic and modern, fully tiled in black and orange with square sinks and wet room-style showers or tubs -- though tubs only have shower attachments, which many guests find awkward. In theory, rooms are individually decorated with themes inspired by designer chairs (e.g., the Philippe Starck Louis Ghost Chair or the George J. Sowden Pacific Chair), though the theme doesn't always translate and some guests don't like the plastic chairs.

Castle View Rooms are like Standard Rooms but have small balconies and are situated on the fourth through sixth floors. River View Rooms are also situated on the fourth through sixth floors and face the Danube River and the Pest side of the city, with views of the Parliament building. The hotel's penthouse Panorama Suites have exceptional views and feature huge terraces, more stylish, modern decor and extra amenities such as whirlpool tubs and iPod docks.

Rooms are air-conditioned and have desks, laptop-sized safes, minibars, and flat-screen smart TVs with international channels. However, they lack tea- and coffee-making facilities -- except in the suites, which have Nespresso coffeemakers. All bathrooms include hairdryers, robes, and free toiletries. 

Though Lanchid 19 Hotel has several extra amenities to add to guests' comfort, it is missing some of the features expected of an upscale property. The hotel has a decent on-site restaurant -- the L19 -- which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. A daily breakfast buffet provides standard fare plus cooked-to-order eggs and freshly squeezed orange juice, but breakfast costs extra. Guests can also eat on a seasonal outdoor terrace that shares to a wall with Buda Castle. The hotel also has a lobby bar, but it's right next to the reception desk and some guests find it lacks atmosphere. Room service is available during restaurant hours.

There's no gym, spa, or pool, but there are three meeting rooms that can host up to 55 guests and a computer available for guest use. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property. There's also a 24-hour front desk and a concierge that can arrange for airport transportation, bike rentals, car rentals, tickets, dry cleaning and laundry, and even childcare or massages. Parking is available for a fee, and pets are welcome for a fee.