A travel guide to lodging in Budapest, along with a review of the K+K Hotel Opera.
Budapest is a large, vibrant city, and choosing where to stay can be a challenge. Which side of the river is better, Buda or Pest? Which district best matches my travel style? In this guide, I’ll compare Buda and Pest and highlight the three districts in Pest that are best for tourists.
Before diving in, my first recommendation to travelers is to get a clear idea of the trip’s purpose. A quick journey to see the must-see sites? A fun adventure to explore the city’s nightlife? A romantic getaway to celebrate a special occasion? These additional questions will further narrow down the list of possible accommodations, making the search a bit easier.
Budapest Lodging Tips
The city of Budapest consists of two sections: Buda, located to the west of the Danube River, and Pest, located on the east side. Both areas are beautiful, and each has its own unique charm. Buda, with its view of the Danube River, cobbled-stoned streets, and historic sites, such as Buda Castle and Matthias Church, has more of a charming, Old Europe atmosphere. On the other hand, Pest feels more modern and city-like. It does have its fair share of historic sites and buildings, but here you’ll find city squares, shopping centers, and clubs that give it that modern vibe.
Deciding between lodging in Buda or Pest is a matter of preference and purpose. Lodging in Pest is more practical since it is where most must-see sites are located, plus there are plenty of restaurants, shops, and bars. If you are in town for only a few days, Pest may be the better option. Buda is great for travelers who have more time to spend or are looking for a romantic atmosphere.
Once the Buda versus Pest question has been answered, the next step is to determine districts, particularly on the Pest side of the city. Three districts within Pest that put you in the heart of the action are districts V, VI, and VII.
- District V: This area, which stretches alongside the Danube River, features numerous hotels and restaurants along with a few pedestrian-only zones. The Hungarian Parliament Building and St. Stephen’s Basilica are located in District V.
- District VI: Located to the east of District V, this district has less of a touristy feel. Its main feature is the beautiful, tree-lined boulevard, Andrássy út, that runs through the heart of Pest. On and around Andrássy út are many must-see attractions, hotels, restaurants, and amazing historic buildings. Notable attractions are the Hungarian State Opera House, the Liszt Ferenc Music Academy, and the House of Terror Museum. Heroes’ Square is at the border between District VI and XIV.
- District VII: South of District VI, travelers will find District VII, Budapest’s trendiest neighborhood. Alongside the many sites and monuments of the Jewish District, travelers will discover boutiques, specialty cafes, the famous Ruin Bars, and an active nightlife scene. Lodging is plentiful in this district, including several options for the budget-conscious.
If I were to return to Budapest today, I would select a hotel in either District 1 in Buda or District VI in Pest. District I is home to great sites like the Hungarian National Gallery and Matthias Church, plus there are several hotels offering rooms with views of the Danube River. As for District VI, having lodged in that area of Pest, I can confirm that the location is unbeatable – conveniently situated near attractions and eateries, accessible to numerous public transportation stops and stations, and safe for solo travel.
When selecting a hotel, consider its proximity to bus and tram stops or metro stations. During my 3 days in Budapest, I relied on public transportation 17 times.
Review of K + K Hotel Opera
I barely have pictures of the hotel because my time in Budapest was a blur; I had so little time and was always in a rush. I remembered to take pictures of my room at 3AM before heading to the airport.
As my visit to Budapest was via a tour, Rick Steves’ Europe Best of Prague and Budapest, the company handled all aspects of lodging. The accommodation they selected was the K + K Hotel Opera, a modern hotel located about a block from Andrássy út and next to the Hungarian Opera House, hence its name. This hotel offers travelers a range of amenities, including a daily continental breakfast, an on-site restaurant and bar, and a mini-market (a refrigerated kiosk that sells sandwiches, snacks, and beverages).
The hotel’s biggest positive is its location; it is a block from the Opera Station (metro line 1) and within walking distance of several bus and tram stops. The hotel is also near several must-see sites and close to numerous eateries and shops.
One of the drawbacks is the limited city views. Given its location, rooms at the K + K Hotel Opera face an interior courtyard and have a view of the windows from the other side of the hotel. This was a major contrast to my hotel in Prague, where I was fortunate to have a room with a terrace that provided views of the city and some historical sites.
K + K Hotel Opera provides great customer service. When I contacted the hotel before my trip to reserve an additional night, the staff was very responsive to emails. During my stay, the hotel manager assisted with a billing issue, and the staff at the reception desk handled making a reservation for a car service to take me to the airport.
Did I feel safe in the hotel? The hotel itself is safe, but one must be mindful of its location in the evenings. The street where the hotel is located has minimal traffic, and some sections are poorly lit, so it helps to stay aware of your surroundings.
I had a double room on the 7th floor at the K + K Hotel Opera. The room was very clean, and the bed was comfortable. For storage purposes, there was no dresser, but the closet offered both hanging space and a set of shelves. Inside the closet, there was a mini-fridge, a kettle, and a safe.
I noticed that rooms on the 7th (top) floor had smaller windows, thus they received minimal sunlight during the day. Another interesting feature is that due to the roof, rooms and bathrooms on that floor had walls that were at an angle. As a hobbit-sized person measuring a staggering 4’11”, this did not pose a problem for me, but my taller tourmates did run into issues while showering (you need to be careful that you don’t hit your head on the angled wall!).
Something that was quite interesting in my room was that my bed had two single mattresses instead of one. It wasn’t that big of a deal to me, but it may be uncomfortable for others.
I did not take pictures of the breakfast area, but the hotel does provide a great image on its website.
The continental breakfast provided a great variety of options, and the food was fresh and filling. Most mornings, I enjoyed a mini croissant, eggs, fresh fruit, and yogurt topped with dried fruit. For those who are not vegetarians, the continental breakfast provided several meat choices. A major bonus was the coffee machine, which made some delicious cappuccinos!
The breakfast area itself had some interesting configurations. Unlike other hotels that serve their continental breakfast over several tables or stations, the K + K Hotel Opera had just one large buffet table with two tiers. While I had no issues with this, those with certain disabilities may have problems reaching items on the top tier. As for the tables, they are all designed for two people, which I thought was odd considering there are those who travel with families or in groups.
One amenity I appreciated was the mini-market in the hotel lobby. It had a decent selection of items, including several vegetarian options. My favorite was the cheese and tomato croissant sandwich, and the ginger ale was really good. I have actually been trying to find that brand in the US!
Would I recommend the K+K Hotel Opera? If you are looking for an affordable hotel with a great location, clean rooms, and great customer service, then this hotel will meet your needs. If you prefer a hotel with city or Danube River views, then this hotel may not be for you. The K + K Hotel is more about convenience and comfort than atmosphere.
If you select this hotel, I suggest requesting a room that is not on the top floor. Also, not sure if this option is available, but it may be worth a try, requesting one mattress.
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