art'otel budapest - Budapest, Hungary     

Go mad and book a river facing suite on one of the upper floors - its worth it! Great views, massive room - and we paid around £100 a night via Expedia. Much more interesting place than all the other corporate places in Budapest (eg Marriot, Radisson, Intercontinental)... though you might feel like you're on the 'wrong' side of the river sometimes, as most of the interesting places to eat are on the other side. Worth mentioning that the Steak House next door is nothing special and usually empty. If you discover the joys of 'palinka' (the local plum brandy) then theres a good and friendly (if basic) local bar at the back of the hotel, called 'Isolabella'. The cocktails in the hotel bar, by the way, are rubbish. Either cheap tasting local spirits, or over-priced imports. Taxi's booked thru the hotel seemed pricey. And don't bother with the flea markets, which are truly a waste of time.

The hotel staff was very friendly and the service was excellent. The location is very good, close to the Metro and fronts the Danube on the Buda side. Our room was very nice and the property is upscale in every regard. The only negative is the breakfast, which is expensive by Budapest standards, 12 Euros, and not up to the other standards of the hotel. Budapest is an incredibly beautiful city, but be forewarned there are several pitfalls which can cause you a lot of problems! Please learn from my mistakes!!! Taxis- When you arrive at the airport, take a ZONE Cab. They are just outside the exit terminal. Get a card so you can call them later! They have fixed rates and you won't get victimized. NEVER EVER hail a cab on the street or have your hotel arrange a cab for you. My cab ride cost 4,600 from the airport, 6,500 when the hotel called for a cab. Do the math. Always call yourself if you need a cab, or make sure that you specifically tell the hotel staff that you hold them responsible for getting a cab that charges a fair rate. Be assertive on this point! The Metro- Please learn from our expensive encounter! As a tourist on the Metro you are a 100% target for this corrupt system. DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES attempt to travel the system by buying tickets in the metro. They have Controllers at every entrance to every stop to literally hold you ransom, it cost us, a party of four 80 Euros or we were going to jail! There is no way you won't get victimized if you try and buy tickets for your destination. The whole system is rigged to nail you. You will be a victim period. The only solution is to buy a Budapest card at the airport or tourist office. You have unlimited transit and are safe. They are more expensive , but hassle free and worth the extra money. The other alternative is to buy a 24 hour pass at the Metro, cheaper than the Budpapest card and it will also protect you. We got nailed on our way back to the hotel in the last hour of our trip, our Budapest Card expired, and we bought tickets...big mistake! That said, Budapest is incredible. Fantastic food,a beautiful, definite must see city.