Károly Boutique Suites, Best Location by BQA

The rooms were clean and tidy, and the location is central. Still, I left disappointed and didn’t feel very welcome, or as if I was meant to be there. It was hard to find the property at first because the signage and directions weren’t clear. We were in Room One, which felt like a cupboard in reception. The headboard was against the reception wall, so we heard people coming and going, as well as people passing outside on their way to and from the lift and stairs in the courtyard. When I raised the noise and our disturbed sleep, reception suggested earplugs. I asked by message if we could move, but was told that was unlikely at that time of year. I understand that, but no other options were offered, even though Károly Boutique Suite said in its message that it was part of a group of Hotels/Suites. A light above the window kept flickering on and off at night. When it lit up, light came through the curtain gaps and filled the room. We also ran short of toilet roll, but nobody was at reception to ask, so we had to buy some ourselves. We saw only two reception staff during our four-night stay, and neither was there all day. We were directed to use WhatsApp, with one number for the company and another for a staff member. It felt inappropriate to contact someone on their personal number about our stay, and I would have preferred to speak to someone in person. We also hadn’t realized daily housekeeping cost extra. It would have been nice to have fresh towels and more toilet roll without worrying about an additional daily charge.

The bathroom reeked of sewage, and the hallways were dirty. We also couldn’t sleep because the pillows were so uncomfortable. Getting into the complex was confusing, with no clear guidance outside, and it took two days before anyone explained the entry process to us. Customer service didn’t answer our calls or WhatsApp messages at all. That sewage smell was unbearable. I strongly advise against booking here.

We came to Budapest for a special occasion, but the suite was a letdown. It was clean and recently renovated, yet felt more like a storage room than somewhere boutique or luxurious. Street noise came through noticeably, and the staff’s suggestion was earplugs. We chose not to stay, but cancelling wasn’t accommodated. We were still expected to pay the full price for all three nights. The staff were friendly, though the service didn’t feel professional. WhatsApp messages were overly casual, and bringing up personal issues in connection with the cancellation policy felt inappropriate.

We had a really enjoyable stay. Everything was spotless, and the small extras were a thoughtful touch. The staff were polite and greeted us with smiles. I’d confidently recommend this place to anyone visiting the city.