Hotel Palota City

My team and I stayed here for a European Championtship organized in Budapest, and we needed to rest before the contest. The receptionist made us pay for all 4 days at registration, before we could see the rooms. When we were finally shown them, the AC didn't work and the room was a sauna. We asked them to switch it on, but they refused. When we wanted to leave, they wouldn't refund our card payment. I had to call a friend in Budapest to contact them and say she would write to official institutions. Only then did they remember English, and promise the AC would be turned on the next day. We spent almost 2 days without AC, including 1 night. There was no refund or even an apology. The beds were tiny and uncomfortable, with very poor quality sheets. There was no trash holder in the room, and nobody removed the garbage for all 4 days. I had to leave it on the floor when I left because I needed my bag back. We were forced to stay and compete after this, since they refused to return the money we had paid by card, even though it would have been easy for them to refund it. My advice is to keep yourself out of this kind of experience.

It's a nice, quiet hotel on the outskirts of Budapest, close to the highway ring and M3 highway. The hotel is clean, has its own small swimming pool, and the staff are helpful and friendly. You can park inside the property or on the street. If you're after a well-priced place to stay in Budapest, add this one to your list.

I wouldn’t recommend staying here. In June, with it around 30 degrees outside, the AC in our room still wasn’t working. We were told it wasn’t hot enough to switch it on. Some reception staff either didn’t speak English or didn’t want to talk, so I had to use a translation app to get a sense of what they were saying. We’d paid for the whole stay upfront, and when we changed our minds after hearing about the AC and seeing the leaking shower, they wouldn’t refund us. The worst customer service I’ve ever dealt with. Not a pleasant stay.

There were some good points: the woman at the counter was lovely, breakfast was okay, the rooms were fairly clean, and the Wi-Fi worked fine. The hotel is also near the center if you have a car. But the advertised free parking may not have a space for you. We came from abroad and didn’t know which nearby streets were safe to park on without risking a fine. Staff were around, but no one advised us, even when I asked, so we left the car outside the property and worried about it. Also, after rain the pool and spa may be closed. We couldn’t get a proper night’s sleep. A large wedding group were drinking and yelling outside our window until 2 a.m. The owner didn’t seem to see a problem with it. We understand people celebrating, but guests should be able to rest at night. If you’re okay with a chance of noise a few meters from your room, that may suit you. We don’t think a hotel should feel like a pub.