Astra - Budapest, Hungary     

This is a really tough review to write...mainly because had i paid a different price i think my idea of this hotel would be a lot better. I ummed and ahhed alot about which side of the river to stay on and which hotel to pick and in the end went for the Astra because it was smaller and the pictures on the site looked amazing - even if it was at the top end of my budget. We paid 99 euros a night including breakfast, and stayed 3 nights. The staff were very helpful, and the position of the hotel was great - 10 mins walk to the chain bridge and funicular but near a supermarket and betthany ter metro/tram point. You enter the hotel using a buzzer which gives you entry into the courtyard. nice and safe and very quiet. Recpetion is small but ok - only thing i would say about the reception area is that it reeks of cigarette smoke. Sadly it was the room that disappointed. it was on the ground floor, and although it was very spacious it felt a bit...well...lacking. yes there was a bed, and wardrobe and tv and a mini bar but it felt a bit dated. The bed was odd...a double bed frame but with two single mattresses and duvets with a double throw over the top. No hairdryer in the room... and the bathroom had a shower fitting from the bath taps but no peg to put the shower handle on. All little things that had i been paying 70/75 euro's a night io wouldnt have minded. I guess its becuase i'd compared staying at teh astra withthe hilton in the castle district (looked amazing from the outside if in a more awkward position) for 90 euro a night and the carlton hotel which is about 3 mins from the chain bridge and was 80 euro i think. breakfast was ok - plenty of rolls and cereals. As i say would i stay again? - yes but i think i'd negotiate a cheaper rate. that said i can't comment on what the other rooms were like so maybe we just got the oldest one.