My trip to Prague and Budapest was via a tour company, so they handled all matters regarding lodging. Fortunately, Rick Steves’ Europe selected a great hotel in Budapest with a convenient location, comfortable rooms, a hearty breakfast, and great customer service.
The following is some insight into selecting a hotel in Budapest based on the 3 days I spent in the city.
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 Buda and Pest are beautiful, but during my stay, I noticed that Buda has the better views of the Danube. Another notable difference is that Pest is mainly flat while Buda has a lot of hills.
Budapest is a considerably large city, so travelers will need to rely on public transportation during their stay. With this in mind, I highly recommend that when searching for lodging, you select a hotel near a bus and tram stop or near a metro station. In just 3 days, I used public transportation 17 times so it was extremely convenient having a hotel within a block of a metro station.
The metro station that was near my hotel is the Opera Station, which serves Line 1. This line runs the length of Andrássy út, on the Pest side of the city, and conveniently has stations near many must-see sites and stations within walking distance of a bus or tram stop.
Deciding between lodging in Buda or Pest is a matter of preference. 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. Buda, with its many hills and views of the river, lends to a more romantic atmosphere. I also found this part of the city to be more tranquil.
If lodging in Pest, I suggest finding a hotel near Andrássy út. This beautiful boulevard, lined with trees, flowers, and historic buildings, runs through the heart of Pest and is conveniently located near public transportation, many must-see attractions, eateries, and shops.
Review of K + K Hotel Opera
I barely have pictures of the hotel because my time in Budapest was a blur; so little time and always in a rush. The pictures of my hotel room and bathroom were taken at 3AM as I was rushing out the door to catch a taxi.
The K + K Hotel Opera is a modern hotel located about a block from a major thoroughfare (Andrássy Ut) and next to the Hungarian Opera House, hence its name. The hotel provides travelers with a considerable number 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. Unfortunately, given its location, the K + K Hotel Opera does not have decent views; all rooms 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.
One of the hotel’s biggest positives is its location; it is about a block from a metro station (M1- Opera) and within walking distance of several bus stops. The hotel is also next to the Opera House, a block away from St. Stephen’s Basilica, and an estimated 15-20 minute walk to Budapest’s Jewish District, home to several historical synagogues and Holocaust memorials.
K + K Hotel Opera provides great customer service. When I contacted the hotel prior to my trip to reserve an additional night, staff was very responsive to emails. During my stay, the hotel manager assisted with a billing issue and 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. During my stay in Budapest, I walked through that street several times in the evenings with fellow tourmates and all went well; however, if walking solo, one must be vigilant.
I had a double room 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, kettle, and 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 their website.
The breakfast area had some interesting configurations in regards to how breakfast was being served and the table set-up. 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 folks do travel with family or as a group.
The continental breakfast itself 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 big bonus was the coffee machine that made some delicious cappuccinos!
On two occasions, I purchased food items from the “mini-market” located in the hotel lobby. I greatly enjoyed having the option of an on-site market where I could grab a quick bite to eat while rushing around. The food was always fresh and I appreciated they had vegetarian options.
Would I recommend the K+K Hotel Opera? If you are looking for an affordable hotel with a good location, clean rooms, and great customer service, then this hotel will meet your needs. If you prefer a hotel with views of the city or the Danube River, then this hotel is not for you.
When making a reservation, I suggest requesting a room that is not on the top floor, so you do not have to hassle with the angled walls, and requesting a bed that has one mattress, instead of the two.
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