Impulso Hotel by Mellow Mood Hotels

The breakfast was tasty and had a good range, and my room was clean, spacious, and had a comfortable bed with modern decor. At check-in, the staff were polite, got me settled quickly, and shared useful city tips. Impulso Hotel by Mellow Mood Hotels is also close to the metro, which made getting to the center and main attractions straightforward. I thought the price was fair for the service, and I’d happily stay there again on another short trip to Budapest.

The main problem during our four nights was a family in a nearby room smoking. They also smoked in the corridor outside our door, and the smell was noticeable as soon as we stepped out of the elevator. We complained four times. Management were helpful each time and already knew about it from other guests and the cleaning team. They said the family would be fined, but it kept happening every day. The corridor smoking stopped, though we could still smell it coming from their room. It was disappointing that the hotel didn’t take firmer action given EU smoking laws. We were there over New Year as a family of four. The location was convenient, close to the metro, and there’s a Tesco by the station. The area didn’t look especially nice, but we felt safe. Our basic room worked for us, and although it faced the street and we heard trams, the noise didn’t disturb our sleep. Daily cleaning was good. We had to ask for extra pillows, which were delivered promptly, but the double bed had two small duvets and the towels were small too. There wasn’t a wardrobe, only a rail and shelf, so we used our suitcases. Breakfast got busy and the selection wasn’t huge, but it was enough for us. Being able to leave our bags there on the last day before an evening flight was handy. I’d put this closer to a 3-star than a 4-star hotel.

This was the worst experience I’ve had in all my travels. There were socks left on a chair from the previous guest when we entered the room, and later I noticed lipstick marks on the curtains. The AC wasn’t working properly; I complained twice but the problem wasn’t fixed. The management didn’t feel like a 4-star hotel, and I wouldn’t recommend the place. The manager asked me to email about it. I sent two emails and followed up, but only got a reply around 20 days later. They said the problem had been fixed on the spot. If they had removed the socks from the room when we first told reception, there would have been no issue.

Cleanliness was the biggest problem for us. Over our three-night stay, the cleaning staff didn’t change the sheets or sweep or mop the floors. The towels smelled musty rather than fresh. The rooms look like the photos at first, but the amenities are sparse for a 4-star place, and what’s there feels low quality. Breakfast had a limited selection, and the front-desk staff weren’t especially friendly. I’d give it 3 stars, not the 4 it currently has.