Hotel Insider: The Ritz-Carlton Budapest, Hungary

The hotel lies at a midpoint between St Stephen’s Basilica, the Danube-spanning bridges linking Pest and Buda, and the city’s ruined pubs, each area a five-minute walk away.

The 400-square-foot club rooms feature a king-size bed, lounger, worktable, and dressing and ironing nooks. Courtesy The Ritz-Carlton, Budapest

The welcome

Centrally located on the Pest side of the Hungarian capital, the one-year-old Ritz-Carlton is a 20-minute drive from the airport. As I sip my glass of cucumber-infused water, the efficient receptionist and empty lobby ensure that I am in my room within a few minutes, with one bag already placed on the luggage stool and the other neatly stowed on a raised platform near the work desk. A complimentary platter of fruit and pastries, bottles of still and sparkling water, and plenty of cutlery are the first signs of the thoughtfulness displayed throughout my stay.

The neighbourhood

The hotel looms directly above the main Deák Ferenc tér metro station. It lies at a midpoint between St Stephen’s Basilica, the Danube-spanning bridges linking Pest and Buda, and the city’s ruined pubs, each area a five-minute walk away. Shoppers throng the main fashion street behind the building, stopping for coffee or goulash at the cafes dotting the pedestrian-only bylanes.

The scene

A glass and mirror treasure chest dominates the three-part lobby, displaying Hungarian artefacts, such as traditionally dressed Folqa dolls, bottles of paprika and pálinka, and stylised Biro pens and Rubik’s Cubes (both invented by eponymous Hungarian entrepreneurs). Although not as opulent or large as the Ritz-Carlton in Abu Dhabi, the hotel channels the group’s elegant vibe. Most of the guests are from the United States and other parts of Europe during the time I visit, although the cooler months see an influx of Middle East patrons, I’m told.

The service

The concierge is a delight, even leaving his chair to accompany me to the Gelarto Rosa ice-cream parlour a few minutes away. In another instance, the receptionist reschedules a restaurant reservation. The executive club manager is conversant with a multitude of topics, and directs me to the delightful Margaret Island, mainly frequented by locals. The club lounge has a menu that changes around the clock and plush armchairs with a thoughtful selection of coffee-table books.

The room

The 400-square-foot club rooms are spacious, fitting in a king-size bed, lounger, worktable, and dressing and ironing nooks. This is one of the few hotels in Europe that comes with a hygiene-hose-equipped bathroom, which also has bathtub and shower areas, and Aspinal of London toiletries. The sweeping arch of the window lets in plenty of natural light, but the too-narrow curtains make this a problem in the early hours of the morning.

The food

Club access includes breakfast until 11am, but the fare is limited – eggs, breads, cereal and fruit – compared to the €30 (Dh116) spread in the lobby restaurant. A range of sandwiches, canapés and pastries is laid out in the club lounge through the day, but it’s worth having a meal in the hotel’s Deak Street Kitchen restaurant. The cauliflower and pear risotto (3,500 Hungarian forints [Dh44]) is especially tasty.

Loved

The sense of space within and outside the room, a far cry from the shoebox reputation of many European hotels.

Hated

The sparse curtains that, coupled with an air conditioner that kept cutting off, meant I woke up far earlier than I would have liked.

The verdict

Unbeatable location, spacious rooms and thoughtful service.

The bottom line

A superior room at The Ritz-Carlton, Budapest (www.ritzcarlton.com), costs €378 (Dh1,460) per night, including taxes and Wi-Fi, while a club-access room is €528 (Dh2,047).