RES City Residence Hotel Budapest

The location was the one good thing. After a seven-hour train ride in winter, I arrived hoping for somewhere warm and cozy, but the room was freezing and there was no heating at all. They told me to wait for it to warm up, then suggested using the air conditioning at the end of December. The room was unbelievably tiny, even for one person, and I was already feeling half sick. When I sat on the bed, I found hair all over it, clearly not mine and from a man. I was disgusted. They eventually moved me to another room, so I had to repack everything, but I still felt grossed out.

The room was a little cramped, but I only stayed one night, so it was okay. Everything was clean, and the AC worked perfectly.

Our holiday here was the worst we’ve ever had. We booked a room for two but were given a single, and despite promising to move us, they never did. We asked to pay for the one night we stayed and get a refund for the rest because the room could barely fit one person. They agreed at first, then refused once we’d left and stopped replying to our messages. It’s advertised as a hotel, but felt more like a hostel with separate rooms. The rooms were dirty and disgusting, and other guests disturbed us throughout the stay. Security felt alarming: no cameras in the corridors or lobby, and no elevator to the second floor, which seemed unsafe, especially for children. There was constant barking, and we saw people vomiting outside by the entrance. The lobby even displays a printed paper claiming an 8.8 Booking.com rating, which looks fake and misleading. They call this place a total scam.

RES City was excellent value for money, close to perfect. The room matched the photos, the bed was comfortable, the bathroom clean, and the air conditioning worked. As a solo traveler, it had just what I needed. I found the hotel easily, only three minutes from a metro stop. My flight arrived after the usual afternoon check-in, but that was no problem. I also had a serious issue with my mobile phone company and arrived at 9:30 p.m. with no signal and nothing to eat. Luca at reception helped me calm down and find food nearby, then said we’d sort things out in the morning. Fortunately, my phone issue was resolved that same night. The next day, Lila, always smiling, explained the room procedures and how to use the door at night, since reception is open until 23:00. I asked for a towel change the following day, though they were going to change it anyway, and she did it right away. Sophie, the third receptionist, recommended a restaurant for dinner, but its kitchen had closed by the time I arrived. She was still always ready to help. All three women at reception, Luca, Lila, and Sophie, made my stay even more pleasant.