The Aquincum Hotel Budapest

The Aquincum Hotel Budapest is a large, busy hotel that attracts mostly couples on vacation. Upon entering, things can be quite chaotic in the lobby, and there’s been reports of disorganization and issues with booking and bills with hotel staff. The most stunning feature of the lobby is the exquisite glass atrium. The gray tiled floors, abstract rugs, and blond wooden furniture and front desk are pleasant and contemporary, but they’re not particularly upscale or elegant. The restaurant is a bit more elegant with blue carpeted floors and ceilings with lovely lights, but the blond wooden tables and faded red chairs could use an update. The large variety of on-site features gives this property some major points with guests, but the downsides can't be overlooked: Apart from front desk chaos, past guest have complained of cleanliness and maintenance issues, dated decor, and even incidents of theft.

The Aquincum Hotel Budapest is far from the city center but just a few minutes from the banks of the Danube in a neighborhood with a few shops, restaurants, and cafes. It’s about a 16-minute walk to Margaret Island, which has a lovely landscape of parks; however, Margaret Island is about the only sight within walking distance, and all other major tourist sites take over an hour on foot to reach. There is a bus stop that’s around the corner and a metro station that takes eight minutes to reach on foot. It’s about a 35-minute metro ride to the city center. The hotel does offer a free shuttle three times per day to the city center but there are only four seats, so reservations must be made beforehand. It’s a 40-minute drive to Budapest Airport. 

Guest rooms at the Aquincum can be a bit of a letdown; they're not as upscale or elegant as might be expected, and there have been some cleanliness and maintenance complaints. Decor includes tan walls, carpeted floors, modern chairs, and white linen beds topped with gold, tan, or brown accents. But the dark-wood veneer furniture and the orange- and salmon-colored walls and textiles look tired and a bit dated. While there's some artwork on the walls, they're abstract pieces typical of chain hotels. All rooms come with kettles, safes, flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, and minibars, and both smoking and non-smoking rooms are available. Suites have separate living rooms and upper-level rooms have access to the Executive Lounge. The Business Woman Room provides special perks to female business guests, including free room service, a free 30-minute massage, a Nespresso machine, a beauty kit and samples of beauty products, free parking, and use of a hair straightener. Bathrooms vary in style -- some have vessel sinks and tan tile, while others have older blue-gray tile -- and all come with hairdryers, Vive toiletries, and shower/tub combos or separate showers and tubs. 

The Aquincum Hotel Budapest has a well-rounded list of impressive features. However, beyond the free Wi-Fi, everything at this property costs a fee. The top feature is the spa complex, which has a swimming pool, two thermal pools, a hot tub, a sauna, and a Kneipp water-treading pool. The hotel also offers beauty treatments, massages, and a beauty salon, as well as a spacious gym with cardio and weight equipment plus free weights. Each visit to these facilities cost a fee, as does the breakfast buffet served at the on-site Ambrosia Restaurant. The restaurant is also open for lunch and dinner and serves Hungarian and international cuisine, and there's a small bistro in the spa area with drinks and light bites. The River Bar has drinks, light meals, and a happy hour. Business travelers can take advantage of 14 fully equipped meeting rooms and a business center with a public computer and printer. There’s also the Executive Lounge, exclusive to Executive Room guests, which offers a private desk, breakfast, and snacks and drinks throughout the day. Other features include a gift shop and parking (for a fee), and pets are allowed with a deposit.