Mercure Budapest Nemzeti - Budapest, Hungary     

This hotel is fairly well located especially if arriving/departing from Budapest Keleti Station. It is a pretty, and interesting building. It is overpriced for the quality of rooms, which are drab and not well sized. But they are adequate and clean. The breakfast is extra (3500 HUF per person) which is the price for which a family of four could eat a good quality meal in the Budapest covered market. The breakfast is pretty rubbish too - soggy, greasy, cold slices of eggy bread, fruit past its best... that sort of thing. The staff on the front desk are indifferent [but in the restaurant were friendly and attentive]. Everything 'extra' requires overblown extra charges. Given that within days of staying here I had stayed in two more expensive European capitals in hotels a fraction of the price but with breakfast, wifi and such included in the room rate I was not impressed. Avoid the greedy, money grabbing chains and stay somewhere that is better value. It's not a bad or horrible place. I just felt ripped off and that there was probably somewhere just around the corner where I wouldn't have been.

We got a rate of $108 on this hotel, which is a nice value in the city. Staff were polite and helpful. Common areas were absolutely beautiful and ornate. Room was also nicely decorated and the bathroom was very nice. My only complaint was that my bed was uncomfortable; I could feel some of the springs poking up from the mattress. Not sure if this is the case for all beds but something to check first when you get your room. Location is good, close to the main train station and an easy walk to the attractions. There is a supermarket and metro station across the street. It was the end of our trip, so we decided to save a little money and buy a picnic dinner (and beer!) and some food for breakfast since we were leaving very early the next day. No internet access in the hotel. A nice value if you get a deal, but check your bed after you check in!