Reception is efficient and brisk and offers currency change services, fax and a safe, as well as providing maps and information should you need it – booking rooms by email was also very competently managed. The hotel apparently has 76 air-conditioned rooms, which seemed clean and freshly painted, and well appointed with en suite (plus hairdryer, mini-bar, satellite TV, radio, etc.). The bedroom decor is a little loud (particularly the bed spreads) but the rooms are double glazed from real noise.

Its blue facade gives away its Art Nouveau heritage (built at the end of C19) and there's more inside. The pleasant restaurant (look up for a magnificent stained glass ceiling) serves a decent-ish buffet breakfast and also hosts dinner should you not feel like going out – the Hungarian goulash looked good but the “authentic” entertainment put me off somewhat.

The tram station is directly across the street and it is within walking distance to the shopping at Vaci Utca. We walked back to the hotel one evening from Buda Hill. On our stroll we walked along the promenade on the Buda side down to the Danube where we could see the parliament building at night. After crossing the magnificent Chain Bridge, we could see the speckled evening lights on Buda’s hill which we had just left.

All rooms in the hotel are equipped with a bathroom, hair dryer, minibar, color TV with satellite channels, radio, telephone and internet dial-up access. For English speakers, you can find news, music videos, and some cartoons on the television. A breakfast buffet is included in your stay and the traditional-style restaurant is rather grand. The buffet includes wide selection of Hungarian and European meats, cheeses, breads, cereals and juices. There is a bar in the lobby which provides a variety of drinks, coffee, ice cream and sandwiches.