AMAZING ROYAL VIEW
LOCATION
A priceless view of Budapest’s Citadella and the captivating Danube with ravishing bridges above it opens up from the hotel rooms. Every single hotel room at Budapest Marriott Hotel offers an unforgettable vista. Hailing the location as unparalleled was already the renowned Hungarian architect Jozsef Finta, who designed the hotel, at the time named Duna, amid brutal socialism. Marriott took over the hotel in 1994, a year after the transition, and has continued the story of the legendary hotel. It was the first international hotel in Budapest. Since its inception, it has strived to cater to the needs of business and congress guests, thus becoming a symbol of Budapest’s entire congress industry. Countless competitors have emerged since, yet the hotel still belongs among the leading congress hotels in Budapest.
ACCESSIBILITY
You can hardly find a better location more in the thick of Budapest’s centre. All the landmarks are at one’s fingertips. Regardless of the central location, the street noise cannot be heard in the rooms. The tram and public transport stations are just a shot away. We full-heartedly recommend opting for the metro. Budapest was the second city in the world to boast an underground that today features three lines (yellow, red and blue) and is famed as the most effective transport service in the city. The airport is approximately 18 minutes away, and the hotel offers its shuttle transport. Budapest Marriott Hotel offers a parking house for guests arriving by car. Budapest’s public transport quality is consistently improving, the connections are excellent and enable guests to avoid taking taxis. Active guests will have a perfect opportunity to explore Hungary’s capital by riding a bicycle, given the city’s 200+ kilometres of bicycle paths.
COLD STARTER - Architecture and aesthetics
Telling evidence of the location’s prominence is the fact that the entire Danube side is protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The monolithic concrete brutalist architecture stretches in a T-shape and is, in our opinion, utterly original and highly functional. Labelled architectural heritage, the hotel’s exterior did not see any larger interventions. On the other hand, the hotel interior is purely modern and was renovated in 2017 and 2020. The lobby features an eye-catching counter that changes its role throughout the day and transitions from a breakfast buffet to a cocktail bar. The Bauhaus style details elevate the hotel’s image whilst differentiating the various zones of the hotel’s renovated interior. In our earnest opinion, the lobby is one of the best in the city. Following the latest renovation, the congress halls, likewise, seem invigorated. In general, the overall feel is remarkable.
WARM ENTRÉE - The staff and the culinary experience
A glance at the personnel provides a feeling that the hotel is the flagship of Marriott. An individual that does not give 100% attention to the guests is nearly impossible to find. The cleanliness is outstanding, and throughout our stay, we were accompanied by someone who took care of our well-being. Breakfasts are undoubtedly the core of the experience when staying at a business hotel. Marriott takes this very, very seriously. The selection of dishes is jaw-dropping, and front cooking is a nice touch. The noteworthy, so-called “healthy” part of breakfast was most impressive. Equally compelling is the menu of DNB Budapest Restaurant, where guests can indulge in modern Hungarian gastronomy. The beef tartare, accompanied with a selection of wines, was out-of-this-world. To conclude, one of the best hotel restaurants in the city.
MAIN COURSE – The meetings offering at the hotel
Hotel rooms
The hotel offers several room types, classified as Deluxe or Executive Rooms and Suites. We stayed in the Deluxe Room that welcomed us with a phenomenal view of Buda. Although the rooms in this category are not the most spacious, their smart layout and amazing view compensate for the lack of space. Pleasant pastel colours in combination with warm wooden flooring dominate the room. A stand-out element of the room is the lounge chair and, as suitable for the brand, quality lighting. The bathroom is minimalistic and in accordance with our expectations, including a bath. Personnaly, I would have prefered a walk-in shower. In any case, the room is up to Marriott standards, meaning it includes everything a business guest might need.
Meetings centre
The congress centre is rightfully among the best in Budapest. There are multiple reasons; in our opinion, its spaciousness and openness. The latter is crucial during the corona crisis. Another advantage is the number of breakout rooms; 16 await guests in various sizes and configurations. Further inspiring is the world-class catering that ensures a holistic experience. Budapest Marriott Hotel, furthermore, boasts an excellent ratio between the number of hotel rooms and the size of its congress centre. The largest hall can capacitate a whopping 650 participants. Altogether, the package fits into the category of medium-sized hotel congress centres.
DESSERT – The extras
The Liz and Chain Sky Lounge is among the most exclusive locations for organising events in the city. They are located on the ninth floor and offer picture-postcard views. Make sure to book in advance, though, as the place is usually very, very busy.
FLOP – NEGATIVE SURPRISES
The hotel can, on occasions, be fully-booked, and in such cases, hospitality at the reception can quickly dwindle, reminiscing of an airport terminal. Otherwise, we can hardly find any flaws in such a hotel barring the high prices that are, nonetheless, justified by impeccable service.
TOP – POSITIVE SURPRISES
The DNB Budapest Restaurant serving authentic modern interpretations of Hungarian cuisine is phenomenal. They also offer lunch menus at affordable prices.
FINAL IMPRESSION AND CREDIBILITY
Budapest Marriott Hotel’s story and offer on display leave no doubt that the hotel was designed for business guests. Moreover, the Marriott brand promises much and delivers just as much. The service is exemplary, and a flop here or there does not spoil the overall great impression. The hotel’s key advantage is the number of rooms in combination with an excellent congress centre. It has character, bolstered by architectural design and complemented by hotel sevice and the congress centre. Thus, the hotel is undisputedly among the leading congress hotels in the region. Hats off to Marriott.
FINAL GRADE: 4.90 GOLD City Meeting Hotel
GOLD final score from 4.81 to 5.00
SILVER final score from 4.61 to 4.80
BRONZE final score from 4.41 to 4.60
