A Stay At The Corinthia Hotel Budapest

Recently we have been disappointed by a number of grand or trendy boutique hotels not living up to expectations. They promised so much but the actual delivery fell far short of what were looking forward to. So it was with a little trepidation when we booked the Corinthia Hotel, Budapest.

The reports were good, the hotel looked impressive and we had been to the Corinthia in London which was excellent so how would the Budapest hotel compare, especially as it was a fraction of the price of it’s London counterpart.

Arrival And First Impressions

The lobby in the Corinthia, Budapest

Our taxi arrived on a dark, wet evening after a longer than expected journey due to a flight delay. So we were glad to be greeted by friendly door staff who promptly took our bags and led us into the impressive creamy marble lobby. With its centrepiece staircase, high ceilings and turn of the century glamour, the first impressions were promising.

Originally the Grand Hotel Royal, opened 1896

The Guest Rooms

The check-in was quick and easy and we were soon on our way to the room. Although clean and well maintained the floors with the rooms on were not as impressive as the lobby and the other public areas, in fact they were quite bland in comparison.

The room itself was slightly small and again, although it was clean, it was slightly anonymous and did not reflect the initial grandeur of the hotel.

OK, we sound like we are being fussy and a bit of a TripAdvisor weirdo. Just to clarify that the standard rooms were fine, just not as impressive and elegant as the build up suggested.

Although we did not see the executive rooms, we have heard good reports of these. These rooms also give you access to an exclusive  lounge and bar on the mezzanine level away from us, the proletariat.

The standard room in the Corinthia

The Pool And Spa

The pool and spa

One of the highlights of the hotel was the Spa Royale with its ornate stained-glasss ceiling. It was a relaxing space with saunas, whirlpool tubs, a steam room and enough space for a little privacy. Mr W found it a bit too relaxing and added a touch of snoring to the background ambiance.

The Restaurants and Bar

The atrium dining room

There were a few hotel restaurants to choose from – The Brasserie and Atrium, The Rickshaw and Bock Bistro. To get our spice fix we went to The Rickshaw which served a mix of Far Eastern cuisines, all washed down with some excellent (strong) cocktails.

We continued the evening in the hotel’s bar “Le Bar” where the barman made some excellent Old Fashioned Whiskey cocktails. It is too easy to get comfortable and forget how much you are drinking although 5 star hotel bar prices are always a sobering reminder.

The atrium and bar – Corinthia Hotel, Budapest

We stayed for 3 nights and could have easily stayed longer, the hotel delivered a bit of old time style and elegance in the very heart of Budapest. We would definitely return to the Corinthia but next time we would consider paying extra for a superior room.

What’s the most historic or glamorous hotel you’ve stayed in, please share your experience below.

A Stay At The Corinthia Hotel, Budapest – Pin For Later